Cincinnati has former USC WR Vidal Hazelton starting at WR this year along with Binns, both should get drafted very early. Another USC WR is arriving at UC this coming week, Brandon Carswell another 4-5 Star stud. Throw in DJ Woods, and Isiah Pead and I almost feel bad for apposing defenses, almost.
http://www.bearcatlair.com/home-news/car...-a-bearcat
"Even though Brandon Carswell has never been to Cincinnati, the redshirt junior is still very excited about becoming a Bearcat. BearcatLair.com spoke to the USC transfer on Thursday evening, and the talented athlete explained a couple of the reasons he decided to leave Los Angeles for the Queen City.
"Having someone (Vidal Hazelton) out there that I was comfortable with and knew was important, but overall, getting the chance to be in that type of offense was also important," said Carswell.
Butch Jones and his staff might be getting the 6' 2"/196 pound receiver at the perfect time in his career. Carswell, who possesses 4.4 to 4.5 forty speed, played mostly quarterback in high school and has spent the last three seasons learning to be a receiver. In 2009, he began to add the final ingredient to his repertoire as he gained some much needed experience by appearing in nine games drawing a start in four of them. With size, speed, and experience to go with a more open offense, Carswell should see his career blossom as a Bearcat.
The junior is also known as a physical player and talked about his role last season.
"Blocking is something I pride myself on, and I'm not afraid to go in there and block some D-linemen and linebackers. That was my role last year, and I just wanted to contribute to help the team's success."
Carswell is leaving a program known for having plenty of depth, but he's coming to an offense with no shortage of stars of its own, and he knows it.
"I'm definitely excited for it. Vidal is a great player, and I've seen Armon Binns and D. J. Woods play. I've seen Zach (Collaros) play a little bit since I've seen some of their games. I like their game, and their offense is just awesome. I want to be a part of that."
Although hampered by a hamstring injury that kept him out of most of the spring, Carswell flashed his potential when healthy and spent several practices with the starting USC offensive unit.
The former Trojan will arrive on Cincinnati's campus next Tuesday and talked about how this unlikely merger came about.
"I was looking for an opportunity to maybe get the ball more. I've had my time blocking and have been working hard to develop my skills as a wide receiver. I felt like I needed a new beginning, to start fresh and play on turf. I wanted to see if I could find a place that would put the ball in my hands a little bit like back in high school. I was really excited when I heard they (UC) might be interested."
As a former quarterback, Carswell's array of talents might even lengthen the UC playbook a bit. He would seem a prime candidate to run a "Wildcat" formation or even throw the ball from the offensive flank.
"I did that a lot in practices," said Carswell. "It just never transferred over to a game. I don't think we were ever in situations when we needed trick plays."
Utah and UNLV recruited Carswell as a quarterback, and Oregon said he would get at shot at the position before they would consider moving him to another spot.
At a time when agents are being scrutinized by the NCAA, Vidal Hazelton actually took on the role in a legal way.
"He (Hazelton) was the guy that talked between us all (Trevon Patterson also considered transferring to UC before deciding to transfer to Colorado). He felt we were being underused (at USC) and said we would do great in their offense. He got word to the (UC) coaches that we were looking to transfer and would be good guys to have on the team. He got the ball rolling."
As already mentioned, Carswell has never been to Cincinnati, but he has no concerns about finishing the final two years of his college career at a place he's never seen.
"I don't see that as a bad thing. I don't need to be comfortable with the place. What I'm coming to do is play football at a high level and get my degree."
He was only four or five classes away from graduating with a bachelor's degree (Psychology) at USC.
With the loss of Mardy Gilyard, the Bearcats will be looking for a kick returner, and Carswell has some experience in that role and would welcome the opportunity.
"I think I can do a lot of things when the ball is in my hands. I just feel really comfortable doing punt returns and kick returns. I didn't get a great deal of opportunities this past season because we had Damian Williams, and he was a great punt returner. It just wasn't my turn yet."
Williams became the 77th pick in the 2010 NFL draft and will play with the Tennessee Titans this fall.
The newest Bearcat is look.ing forward to showing his teammates a hidden talent.
"I'm a great dancer," laughed Carswell. "The locker room will see some of that. I can cut it up a little bit."
Although he has never seen a game at Nippert Stadium, the old structure's reputation preceded it.
"I hear it gets pretty loud, and I love that. I really love that. I love interacting with the fans and love playing in loud places. I can't wait."
Carswell's impatience is shared by UC fans, and his presence will only heighten the anticipation for 2010 Bearcat football"
