Hits & Misses
Hit: Kevin Ellison (LB) — Originally ranked 392. Outcome: NFL Starter. Despite his low initial ranking, Kevin Ellison showcased his exceptional talent at the collegiate level, eventually achieving an outcome of NFL Starter.
Hit: Charles Brown (OT) — Originally ranked 229. Outcome: NFL Starter. Charles Brown defied his modest recruiting rank, making significant strides throughout his college career and earning the outcome label of NFL Starter.
Miss: Thomas Herring (OT) — Originally ranked 20. Outcome: Bust. Herring, initially one of the highest ranked recruits, unfortunately fell short of expectations, ultimately being designated as a "Bust".
Miss: Averell Spicer (DL) — Originally ranked 32. Outcome: Contributor. Spicer, though highly ranked in his recruiting class, ended up with a moderate impact on the Trojan squad, rendering him a "Contributor".
Development Story
The 2005 USC recruiting class was one of the most anticipated and highly rated groups, topping the charts with an original ranking of 1. The class was dominated by blue-chip recruits, comprising 88% of the total commits, indicating high expectations for these players.
As the class matured, a pattern of strong development emerged, particularly among lower-ranked recruits. Players like Kevin Ellison and Charles Brown, originally ranked 392 and 229 respectively, exceeded initial expectations by achieving the outcome of NFL Starter.
However, not all recruits lived up to their pre-college hype. Several players, initially ranked high in the class, didn't quite meet expectations. Top-ranked recruit Thomas Herring and 32nd ranked Averell Spicer both underperformed, leading to a slight dip in the overall class rating.
Outcome Summary
Overall, the 2005 USC class met high expectations, with the majority of recruits making significant contributions at the collegiate level. The S2S rerank moved down slightly to 2, reflecting the underperformance of some high-profile commits.
However, the standout performances of some lower-ranked recruits balanced out the class outcome. The development of players like Kevin Ellison and Charles Brown into NFL Starters underscores the success of the Trojans' talent development during this period.
Despite some misses, the 2005 USC recruiting class largely retained its elite status, demonstrating the Trojans' ability to recruit and develop top-tier talent.