As the USC Trojans look to make another run at a national title in 2012, they certainly made an improvement to their already stellar squad with the addition of running back Silas Redd via transfer from Penn State. Kiffin took some time on Thursday to speak with Steve Mason and John Ireland on 710 ESPN in Los Angeles to discuss Silas Redd's transfer and how it affects their team moving forward.
Make the jump to see what he had to say.
On recruiting Penn State running back Silas Redd away from Penn State:
"Well, it was pretty easy. We just presented a chance for him to come to USC, to graduate from USC, to come be part of the Trojan family, and obviously to play football here as well. And there was a very specific need for him, at his position, to come in here. And we feel like we have a bunch of great players, high-character guys around him. And after researching him, before we ever went there we knew that's what he was. And that was the family that he comes from. So I think that's why they really hit it off. I think our players, as Silas came out here he really fit in with them and realized this was the place for him."
On the differences (or lack thereof) between Curtis McNeal and Silas Redd:
"I think they're very similar, actually. Silas is a little bit taller but they both run very patient, very physical, very tough, low to the ground. Hard for the first guy to bring down. So I think there's a lot of similarities between the two. Guys don't always have to be different like thunder and lightning. A lot of times you may have two guys that are similar but it allows them to stay rested and stay fresh throughout the season."
On the learning curve as they rush to get Redd up to speed:
"Well when he gets here we'll have special time added in to work with him on and off the field. But what's going to help us in this is normally we're dealing with high-school kids and having to transition them. This is a guy already over 1,000-yard rusher in major college football. So he's already been in college systems, so I think it'll be a lot easier for him than it is for high-school kids to adjust."
On if they were in communication with any other Penn State players:
"We did have people reach out to us but we did not reach out to them. And so we have not recruited anybody else from there. This was a specific need for one guy who we'd think is a great player who'd fit in, too - not just as a player but as a person. We had to study who he was to make sure he was highly competitive, no ego, because otherwise it wouldn't have worked to bring him in with this group of kids that we have."
- - -
For more on the Trojans, make sure to check out Conquest Chronicles.
