Highly-coveted wide receiver Cordell Broadus' desire to play against stiffer competition should be quenched following his transfer to powerhouse Las Vegas Bishop Gorman, but it could carry underlying recruiting implications as well.
USC and UCLA used to be about a one-hour drive from Broadus when he was at Diamond Bar (Calif.), where he burst onto the spotlight two years ago after transferring from Long Beach (Calif.) Poly. Now both coaching staffs, like others across the country, will likely have to hop on a plane to see him this fall.
In that regard, the move from Los Angeles might have evened the playing field among the ESPN 300 prospect's many suitors.
Broadus, the son of rap mogul Snoop Dogg, moved to Las Vegas with his mother and said he wanted to challenge himself this year, as Bishop Gorman typically plays one of the most difficult schedules in the country. Though USC and UCLA are no longer nearby, Broadus said he still intends to check out some games this season.
“I might have to think about flying down for the Saturday games, primarily the big games,” Broadus said. “I’m thinking USC versus UCLA, USC versus Notre Dame and UCLA versus Oregon. I’ll be at all those big matchups.”
USC head coach Steve Sarkisian was one of the first to enter the conversation for the 6-foot-2, 185-pound Broadus while at Washington. That’s a factor that has not been lost with the rangy wideout, who shined in one-on-one drills Sunday at the Los Angeles Nike Football Training Camp in Redondo Beach, Calif.
“The USC coaches came down to our school about two times,” Broadus said. “Coach Sark is a real nice guy. I love his mentality. He has a great coaching staff with him and I know I would fit in perfectly in that offense. Coach Sark loves to throw the ball, which is great for receivers.”
Broadus added that he wants to officially visit defending national champion Florida State and LSU this fall. The other three trips have yet to be determined. USC still has a target at Diamond Bar in ESPN 300 receiver Kanya Bell, whose junior season was cut short after having knee surgery.
Outside linebacker lands USC offer
Local outside linebacker Christian Rector had been hearing from the Trojans for some time, so the offer defensive line coach Chris Wilson extended his way last week was far from surprising.
Yet despite the transparency, the significance of USC joining the offer sheet was not buried.
“I’ve been looking forward to it,” Rector said Sunday after the NFTC. “I have been looking to get recruited by the two local schools, USC and UCLA. Now that I have offers from both, they are definitely up there at the top of my list. For me, it’s going to come down to what I’m comfortable with. I want the home feeling and familiarity with the coaching staff.”
Rector, who also plays basketball at Los Angeles Loyola, starred at defensive end last year but said the Trojans want him at outside linebacker. He has been a long-time USC fan, with his mother and grandfather having earned degrees from the school.
“The coaches want me dropping back into coverage half the time and rushing the passer the other half,” the 6-5, 225-pound Rector said. “Campus was nice. I visited Heritage Hall and the facilities, and everything is really nice there. I want to make a decision before the season starts. If that doesn’t happen, I at least want to narrow it down based on what other options come up. I’m going to visit some East Coast schools in the coming months, probably Penn State and Boston College. I’d like to get out to UCLA and USC again, too.”
Production could be key for local target
ESPN 300 defensive end Rasheem Green has heard the pitches. Coaches have been in his ear about how they would use him, where he fits and what the future holds.
Now, he wants to see all that talk materialize.
“I’m not sure where to begin when looking at schools, but I’m definitely going to have to look at the defensive line play,” Green said. “Obviously the coaching is important, but I will definitely see how certain schools do.”
Green, who appears to be the next big thing at renowned USC pipeline Gardena Serra, said he is nowhere near making a decision and would likely make the call on national signing day, just as former teammate and five-star cornerback Adoree' Jackson did this past February. He has set unofficial visits with UCLA for later this month and Oregon for sometime in April.
The Trojans got the opportunity to impress him at the Elite Junior Day.
“Everything was pretty nice,” Green said. “We spoke with Coach Wilson, but I have to see how he uses the players this season and how they do. I’m going to take this process slow and probably taking some official visits to some out-of-state programs. I’m not rushing anything and don’t want to have any regrets. I just want to be sure on it.”