USC running back Dillon Baxter took a pitch to left side and scampered untouched into the end zone for a 52-yard touchdown during the team's spring scrimmage on Saturday.
After the scrimmage, new Trojans coach Lane Kiffin compared it to Reggie Bush's dazzling 2005 run against Fresno State.
Wait... Kiffin tagging Reggie Bush again? Who is the Origional 'Next Reggie Bush'? At USC, Joe McKnight, was a virtual Reggie clone as a massively hyped recruit in 2007, but only about half as productive in three largely disappointing seasons.
But time marches on, Kiffin is back in charge of the Trojans after missing the entire McKnight era, and the lure of acquiring and deploying the next generation of ultimate weapon hasn't diminished -- in fact, with early-enrolling, five-star freshman Dillon Baxter living up to high expectations during a "phenomenal" start to his first spring camp, the obligatory Bush comparison is alive and well.
The comparison means even more to Baxter because like Bush, he is from San Diego.
"It's an honor to be compared to Reggie Bush," Baxter said. "Hopefully, I'll get all these positions down. I'm not sure where I'll be playing. They're going to move me around once I get all the running back plays down."
All of these athletes are gifted but, it takes more than athletic ability to be 'Reggie Bush' or be compared to him. Here's a run down:
1) The Original: Reggie Bush's spectacular career at USC is on the verge of being tainted for recieveing monetary "gifts" ($300,000) and property. Lane Kiffin and Ed O recruited Bush while at USC.
2) The Stumble: Joe McKnight is his name, free cars from Marketing Execs. in LA is his game. This episode caused McKnight to miss the bowl game in 2009, his final season at USC (junior, leaving for NFL Draft).
3) The Heir: Dillon Baxter... Did he receive a 'Super Truck' as a signing bonus like this one 'Ocho Cinco' bought himself for his birthday? Maybe a horse trailer was included with some stallions to pull his chariot around the stadium after a TD?
Correlation?
On going NCAA investigations concerning Reggie's recruitment and "compensation" while at USC among other things could be a detrimental blow to USC. Rumors run wild but here is a scenario.
Failure to Monitor and LOIC
a) 12 wins vacated from the 2005 season
b) loss of 5 scholarships for 3 years
c) 1-year bowl ban
d) 5-years probation
Yet for Kiffin there is only one thing. How can I make myself look good through a college athlete? Why yes, I will ride his coattails.
Riding coattails is a metaphor that refers to the way in which lower level or uninspiring celebrities can often reach stardom through their ties to another, more popular and successful celebrity. This can often be used as a generic phrase for anyone that hangs onto another person as they forge ahead, without effort from the hanger-on.
To sponge, mooch, free load, skate by, or do absolutely nothing but watch while somebody else does all the work and still somehow try to take at least partial credit for something you had no hand in.
"No one has gone farther, faster, doing less than Lane Kiffin" - Jim Rome
Lane Kiffin will tag 'Reggie Bush' all the way to the grave, just like a washed up High School jock does 35 years after his prom.
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