GOOD SIGNS TROJANS GET A TOP CLASS.

Byline: Scott Wolf  Staff Writer

Unlike the Rose Bowl, USC did not falter down the stretch in recruiting on Wednesday and finished with the nation's No. 1-ranked recruiting class, according to several services.

The Trojans edged Florida with several unexpected late signings that led them to winning the top spot.

``This is a class that needs to show up, at running back in particular,'' USC coach Pete Carroll said. ``You'll see young guys involved right from the beginning. There's so many kids we signed that have been productive from top to bottom.

``We got 14 of the top 100 kids and I think Florida has six or seven. That's a lot of big-time players.''

And the class still isn't finished.

USC awaits a letter-of-intent from wide receiver Vidal Hazelton, ranked the seventh-best player in the nation. Hazelton's father refused to sign a letter on Wednesday but the Trojans expect to receive it by the weekend.

His teammate at Hargrave Military prep school in Chatham, Va., tailback Keiland Williams, is expected to spurn the Trojans for Louisiana State.

Although it's considered the No. 1 class, there is an asterisk. Hazelton, cornerback Shareece Wright and linebacker Allen Bradford of Colton along with wide receiver Jamere Holland of Taft High in Woodland Hills are among a group that could experience difficulty meeting NCAA entrance requirements.

Overall, this class is not as strong academically as last year's recruiting class, although it is as strong athletically. The striking aspect is the number of safeties USC recruited.

Notably, the Trojans will move Bradford, one of the top 10 players in the nation, to safety. He will join Antwine Perez of Westville Grove, N.J., Alfred Rowe of Long Beach Poly, C.J. Gable of Sylmar and Taylor Mays of Seattle, Wash., as potential safeties as USC tries to replace starters Scott Ware and Darnell Bing.

Gable could also play cornerback and return kickoffs, because Carroll feels he's the most athletic player in the class.

``C.J. is the most likely player to move back and forth,'' Carroll said.

The other position Carroll shored up was tailback, where Stafon Johnson of Dorsey in Los Angeles is considered the top prospect. A late add was Venice tailback Kenny Ashley, who could also play cornerback.

Carroll sought to add athletes who could fill several roles, especially on special teams.

``We've been very specific the last few years in the roles guys played,'' he said. ``I feel like we didn't have many guys that can do a lot of things on the field. C.J., Shareece, Bradford, Mays, those are guys that can't be pigeon-holed into one spot.''

Another intriguing addition is linebacker Michael Morgan of Dallas. ``He's the fastest linebacker we've recruited since we've been here,'' Carroll said.

Ironically, what boosted USC was a late decision to give scholarships to several players not considered blue-chip prospects. But several scholarships opened up when five juniors decided to turn pro.

That allowed the Trojans to sign Ashley, who was likely going to Mississippi State. They also added Rowe, who committed to Oregon State last fall and Long Beach Poly cornerback Vincent Joseph, who was being recruited by Washington State.

``We had a couple spots that opened up in the process,'' Carroll said. ``We had a great appreciation of these guys that maybe the other schools didn't know about.''

Carroll's appreciation increased following the departures of LenDale White, Reggie Bush, Winston Justice, Darnell Bing and Fred Matua.

Another late decision was awarding a scholarship to Garrett Green from Notre Dame High of Sherman Oaks, who immediately becomes the No. 3 quarterback.

``It's a huge position, he's so bright and can do things so well,'' Carroll said.

Green also isn't likely to scare off next year's top quarterback prospect, Jimmy Clausen from Oaks Christian of Westlake Village.

USC already got off to an impressive start with the 2007 class as Servite of Anaheim linebacker Chris Galippo selected the Trojans over Notre Dame and UCLA on Tuesday.

Even with all the scholarships, USC will not sign a punter to replace Tom Malone.

``We couldn't find anybody outstanding,'' Carroll said.

Another area USC faltered was offensive line, signing only Zack Heberer of San Pedro.

``It would have been nice,'' Carroll said. ``We went after the best guy in Alabama, and Florida. It will be our issue next year.''

--Also: Carroll said junior Josh Pinkard will remain at cornerback and not move to safety, with so many recruits able to fill that position. Senior Dallas Sartz is expected to remain linebacker and not be used at safety, with the Trojans signing so many safeties.

Scott Wolf, [phone]

scott.wolf(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

8 photos, 13 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- color) Allen Bradford of Colton High School hands out autographed photos on Wednesday after signing a letter of intent to play for USC.

(2) Colton High teammates Shareece Wright, left, and Allen Bradford, try on their new USC hats after signing their letters of intent Wednesday.

Gabriel Acosta/Staff Photographer

(3) ALABAMA-BOUND

Huffman (Ala.) High offensive lineman dons a houndstooth hat in picking the Crimson Tide over USC among others.

Tamika Moore/Associated Press

(4) ALLEN BRADFORD

(5) C.J. GABLE

(6) STAFON JOHNSON

(7) TAYLOR MAYS

(8) ANTWINE PEREZ

Box:

(1) TOP CLASS

(2) SIGNEES

(3) STARTERS LOST

(4) SUMMING IT UP

(5) RIVALS.COM RANKING

(6) BREAKING IT DOWN

(7) TOP NEEDS

(8) IMMEDIATE IMPACT PLAYERS

(9) OTHER SIGNEES

(10) NOTABLE

(11) THE NEXT THUNDER & LIGHTNING

(12) MAYBE LATER

(13) STILL SEARCHING

By Scott Wolf and Matt Kredell/Daily News