DeSean Jackson's Documentary Reveals Pete Carroll and Ed Orgeron's Recruiting Pitch
A newly released documentary shows the former USC coaches' attempt to recruit the star athlete, who ultimately chose a Pac-10 rival.
A documentary released Thursday on Amazon Prime, titled “Go Deep,” offers a glimpse into the recruiting efforts of then-USC coaches Pete Carroll and Ed Orgeron to land five-star recruit DeSean Jackson.
Following Jackson’s senior season at Long Beach Poly, Carroll and Orgeron visited Jackson’s home in Long Beach in a final attempt to persuade him to play for USC. During the visit, Carroll emphasized Jackson’s demonstrated abilities and the strong support system around him. Orgeron, in turn, highlighted the proximity of USC’s campus to Jackson’s home, joking about the cost of gas while assuring the Jackson family that practices would be open to them.
Despite the pitch, Jackson ultimately did not commit to USC. The documentary shows Jackson and his family reacting with amusement to Orgeron's remarks.
Jackson, a highly sought-after wide receiver from the Class of 2005, reportedly held over 100 scholarship offers from major college programs. He was initially committed to USC but decommitted after Carroll could not guarantee him the No. 1 jersey, which he wore in high school. Jackson stated in a 2021 interview with the LA Times that he felt disrespected by the team’s decision to give away the number they had promised him and perceived that other recruits received preferential treatment.
Jackson eventually chose to play for USC’s then-Pac-10 rival, California, coached by Jeff Tedford. He wore the No. 1 jersey during his time with the Golden Bears. At California, Jackson played three seasons, accumulating 1,060 receiving yards and nine touchdowns during his sophomore year. Notable players on the Cal team during Jackson's tenure included Marshawn Lynch, and Aaron Rodgers had recently entered the NFL draft.