Baucham is a Trojan

West Torrance RB/CB Brian Baucham committed to Washington State on his visit just last week but his recruitment was far from over at that point. Baucham, who previously had offers from Washington State, Idaho and Utah State, took a visit to USC this weekend and before the trip was over he was a Trojan.

West Torrance RB/CB Brian Baucham committed to Washington State on his visit just last week but the recruitment of Baucham was far from over at that point. Baucham, who previously had offers from Washington State, Idaho and Utah State, took a visit to USC this weekend and before the trip was over he was a Trojan.

“As soon as I got there to USC, they took me into Pete Carroll’s office and Carroll offered me right there on the spot,” Baucham explained.

Baucham was thrilled with the offer but waited to see how his visit was before he mad a final decision. “I thought about it over the weekend and weighed my options,” he said. “I waited and waited to see how the visit went and then I committed today.

“Pete Carroll took me alone with a couple of the other coaches and he started talking with me and I told him right there. He was all happy, my mom started crying and we all started hugging and stuff.

“The trip was really good. They showed me everything and how the academic part came into play. I was really excited about the academic part because they were super happy to help,” said Baucham. “I know if I go there they won’t let me slack off with my grades.”

Buacham had committed to play for Washington State a week earlier but he said the opportunity to stay close to home and play for Pete Carroll was an opportunity that he couldn’t pass up.

“I loved the coaching staff. The coaching staff was really energetic. They were hyped up, running around and yelling,” Baucham said.

The 5-11, 175-pound athlete played both running back and cornerback in high school and said he will get a chance to do both at USC.

“They told me that they were really thin at cornerback right now. So they want me to play cornerback but they also want me to play running back at the same time,” Baucham said. “They have a bunch of running backs so we can just rotate in. Joe McKnight and I can be the shifty runners and guys like Stafon Johnson and CJ Gable can be the power backs.

“I like running back more but I like cornerback because you get to come up and hit. At corner it’s just you and that guy one on one.”

When asked why he chose USC Baucham quickly replied, “The coaching staff. I have never met a coaching staff that is so eager and ready to go.”