SC RECRUITING: USC EXPECTS BANNER CLASS TROJANS COULD HAVE NATION'S BEST GROUP, MOST SERVICES SAY.

Byline: Scott Wolf Staff Writer

USC is waiting for receiver Cameron Colvin, one of the top receivers in the country, to make his college decision today. The Trojans hope Adrian Peterson, the nation's No. 1 tailback, changes his mind and spurns Oklahoma.

But the reality is those late decisions won't significantly alter how USC's recruiting class is judged by analysts.

``I think USC's class is far and away the best in the nation,'' said Rick Kimbrel of Rivals.com.

Kimbrel's opinion is echoed by Randy Taylor, who runs his own scouting service and previously worked at UCLA.

``I think it's giant, maybe as good as the 1998 class we brought in to UCLA,'' Taylor said. ``The last three years have been outstanding.''

Although it's difficult (or pointless) to predict what recruiting services will do, most are expected to list the Trojans No. 1 today after players officially sign their national letters of intent.

``USC just got everyone they wanted to get,'' Taylor said.

That streak continued Tuesday, when sources said receiver Dwayne Jarrett of New Brunswick, N.J., committed, giving USC the top class of receivers in the nation. The Trojans already signed Fred Davis of Toledo, Ohio, and received a commitment from Derrick Jones of Long Beach Poly.

Jarrett (No. 44) and Davis (No. 19) both are ranked among the top 50 players in the nation by Rivals.com, along with Colvin (No. 17).

USC's riches are not limited to receiver, though. The Trojans are poised to sign five offensive linemen, led by Jeff Byers, rated the top player in the nation by one recruiting service, and junior-college transfer Taitusi Lutui, ranked the No. 1 junior college prospect in the country.

The Trojans also will sign at least four defensive linemen, led by defensive end Jeff Schweiger, rated the ninth-best player in the nation by Rivals.com.

There also are a handful of players, such as Westlake's Jimmy Miller and Michael Stuart and Dale Thompson of Corona Santiago, who can play several positions.

``They do a great job of projecting players to the next level,'' Taylor said.

If the class has a shortcoming, it's the lack of cornerbacks, a thin position for the Trojans. USC tried to sign Ted Ginn, the nation's top cornerback, but he committed to Ohio State. One potential cornerback, C.R. McCoy of Santa Monica College, is not expected to be offered a scholarship.

Kimbrel offered a cautionary note about having such a highly touted class.

``Sometimes they're like front-runners who are so talented and never get their butt kicked, so when they do lose a game, they tank,'' Kimbrel said. ``Sometimes kids are too talented and they haven't faced adversity. That's where coaching comes in.''

--Notes: There will be major shuffling on USC's coaching staff. Carl Smith, a former Cleveland Browns assistant, will be named tight ends coach Thursday, replacing Brennan Carroll, who might not return to the staff.

``I'm not at liberty to say,'' Carroll said about his status.

If Carroll leaves, it would explain how Ken Norton Jr. is working as a graduate assistant. NCAA rules allow only two graduate assistants, and USC already employed Carroll and Dennis Slutak in those roles. In addition, coach Pete Carroll still needs to hire a running-backs coach. ...

USC is holding a strength-and-conditioning clinic Saturday at Heritage Hall. Information: [phone].

Scott Wolf, [phone]

scott.wolf(at)dailynews.com

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