Trojans Snag Another Top Wide Receiver, Vidal Hazelton

With Vidal Hazelton's letter of intent to attend the University of Southern California and play for the Trojans, Coach Pete Carroll has locked up his third major recruit at wide receiver in three years. Hazelton follows Dwayne Jarrett and Patrick Turner as the Trojans' recent top receiver recruits.

Although Hazelton initially faxed Coach Carroll his letter of intent on National Signing Day at the beginning of February, Hazelton's father refused to sign it making it invalid. With other major schools awaiting a possible change of Hazelton's mind, the official letter of intent was sent February 24.

Hazelton starred at Moore Catholic High School in New York before transferring to Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia for his senior year. During his senior season, he tallied 41 receptions for 942 yards and 13 touchdowns.

The signing of Hazelton has given the Trojans the top recruiting class for 2006 in the eyes of many, signaling that Coach Carroll has no plans of slowing down after a disappointing Rose Bowl loss to end last season. Out of the twenty-five signings for the Trojans 2006 recruiting class, Hazelton was the biggest.

Following in the steps of Jarrett and Turner, Hazelton becomes the next top receiver recruit to cross the country to play college football for the Trojans. Jarrett hails from New Brunswick, New Jersey, and Turner finds home in Nashville, Tennessee.

With the departure of quarterback Matt Leinart, several Trojans are fighting for the starting role in the 2006 season including John David Booty and Mark Sanchez. Whoever does play quarterback for the Trojans in 2006 should have plenty of targets to hit.