LOS ANGELES — If you're not happy with USC's 2008 recruiting class, just wait until next year.

That was one of the subtexts coming from Coach Pete Carroll after he gathered all the faxes from a class that was short on razzle-dazzle in favor of bulk. The Trojans, needing to replenish the offensive and defensive lines, went for behemoths over marquee skill players yesterday.

The Trojans, normally in the top 5 of most recruiting services' lists, were ranked no higher than No. 6 in any of the national rankings.

"This was a little bit different year than other years we've had," Carroll said. "We felt it was really necessary for us to address some roster issues and we had to load up in a couple spots." Of the 19 players in the class, 10 are offensive or defensive linemen.

The headliners, as expected, were five-star offensive tackles Matt Kalil, the younger, bigger brother of ex-Trojan Ryan Kalil, and Tyron Smith of Moreno Valley. The biggest late splash was the signing of cornerback T.J. Bryant from Lincoln High in Tallahassee, Fla., the school that produced San Diego Chargers Pro Bowl player Antonio Cromartie.

USC also got a letter of intent late yesterday from Lawndale linebacker Uona Kavienga, who broke a commitment with BYU to join Carroll's team. USC was on the other end of a broken commitment when receiver Joe Adams decided to play close to home at Arkansas.

The Trojans eventually will announce the addition of Jordan Cameron, an ex-BYU tight end expected to transfer from Ventura City College in time for next season. Cameron is the younger brother of USC basketball player Brynn Cameron.

But what about the 2009 class? Already, the Trojans are well positioned to have one of the nation's best, headlined by quarterback Matt Barkley from Mater Dei, the Gatorade Player of the Year. In all, the Trojans have commitments from six players in the Rivals.com Top 100 list of juniors.

Carroll said he has had to adjust his thinking as the recruiting process has swirled around younger players in recent years.

"Times are changing a little bit and, so, we're having to adjust," Carroll said. "We have had to adjust and speed things up and I don't like that. I'd rather take all the time possible. I wish we could wait until we see kids play their senior years, but we no longer are able to do that." Carroll dangled the possibility of freshman playing time when he hit the recruiting trail, as he usually does. Carroll used the examples of Jeff Byers, Kristofer O'Dowd and Winston Justice, all Trojans who have started on the offensive line as freshmen.

"As always, you've got to wait and seen. But I think I know these guys well enough to know they're going to add to this football team in this year coming up," Carroll said.

Carroll said the issue of his future arose a few times with the parents of out-of-town recruits.

Carroll spoke with the Washington Redskins and Atlanta Falcons last month about head-coaching jobs before electing to stay at USC. The year before, he talked to the Miami Dolphins.

"I think the parents around the area are used to seeing that banter and handled it well. Out of the area, it did come up a few times," Carroll said. "I don't think it factored into any of the decisions of any of these guys." As usual, USC did well in Orange County.

In addition to Kalil, the Trojans signed Orange Lutheran tight end Blake Ayles, whom Carroll compared to his record-setting tight end, Fred Davis; Servite receiver D.J. Shoemate, whose versatility Carroll said he "fell in love with," and Mater Dei offensive lineman Khaled Holmes, younger brother of ex-Trojan Alex Holmes.