DT columnists evaluate USC’s 2014 recruiting class

With tomorrow’s National Signing Day fast approaching, Daily Trojan sports columnists Will Laws, Nick Selbe, Jacob Freedman, Darian Nourian, Jake Davidson and Nick Burton discussed the state of USC football’s 2014 recruiting class.

 

Q: How would you grade USC’s recruiting class so far?

Laws: C+. But that’s not exactly Sarkisian’s fault. Former coach Lane Kiffin hadn’t secured many recruits before his dismissal, and USC currently ranks No. 34 on Rivals’ team recruiting class rankings. But they are No. 11 in terms of average stars per recruit, so if the Trojans can reel in a few more big names on National Signing Day, this mark can definitely improve.

Selbe: B. The Trojans have just two recruits ranked in ESPN’s Top 100 rankings, with tight end Bryce Dixon and offensive lineman Viane Talamaivao coming in at No. 89 and No. 96, respectively, which is slightly underwhelming by USC standards. Four other players rank in the ESPN Top 300, and USC has emphasized one of its biggest areas of weakness — offensive line, with four offensive linemen already committed. This grade could receive a huge boost depending on the decisions of USC’s three most coveted remaining targets- — cornerback Adoree’ Jackson (No. 9 in ESPN Top 100), athlete John “Juju” Smith (No. 24) and offensive guard Damien Mama (No. 67).

 

Q: Which of USC’s five early enrollees do you see making the biggest impact next season?

Nourian: The early enrollee that really stands out to me is four-star offensive lineman Toa Lobendahn out of La Habra, Calif. With an already thin offensive line following the departure of right tackle Kevin Graf and center Marcus Martin to the NFL draft, it looks like Sarkisian will be forced to start at least one true freshman up front.

Selbe: Claudeson Pelon. At 6-foot-5 and 280 lbs., Pelon has the size necessary to play alongside USC’s already talented defensive line. The Trojans are very deep at defensive end, but the defensive tackle position remains largely inexperienced. Pelon was ranked as the No. 20 Junior College Player in the United States by ESPN and was one of the most sought-after players in the state of Florida. Given USC’s recent success with players from the Sunshine State, it wouldn’t surprise me if Pelon became a star sooner rather than later.

 

Q: How do you think the Sarkisian hire has affected recruiting this year?

Davidson: I think it has been a tremendous plus. USC would have a nationally ranked class with any coach but some of the guys Sarkisian has gotten to commit have been huge for the Trojans. Jonathan Lockett is a guy who can play right away and develop into a man-to-man shutdown cornerback. That’s a major upgrade for the defense. Getting Bryce Dixon reinforced USC’s connections with Saint Bonaventure, a historically dominant high school program in Ventura County and gave Sarkisian a dynamic tight end. Though Dixon isn’t as big as Austin Seferian-Jenkins was at Washington, his natural fluidity will pay major dividends moving forward.

Freedman: Hurt it. Hate it or not, Kiffin was one hell of a recruiter. Sarkisian and his staff were brought in late in the game and have had to juggle between taking offers off the table given by the previous regime and going on the road to get talent for 2014. This class still lacks an offensive difference-maker (Juju Smith would fix that) or a traditional run-stuffing defender.

 

Q: What is the biggest position Sarkisian needs to recruit?

Freedman: Wide receiver. USC has one in the class so far with Rahshead Johnson, but another couldn’t hurt. Just look at 2013: Every wide receiver on the roster was injured or at least banged up at some point of the season. You can never have enough skilled players available considering their chances of injury.

Laws: The Trojans will need to replenish their linebacking corps very soon. USC doesn’t have any listed in their 2014 class yet, though four-star defensive end Olajuwon Tucker (6-foot-4, 225 lbs.) might be a better fit at linebacker in defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox’s 4-3 scheme. Still, USC doesn’t seem to be in the mix for any elite LB recruits this late in the game -— and that could become a problem in the future.

 

Q: Who would be the biggest recruit USC could still sign?

Davidson: The obvious answer is Adoree’ Jackson but that might discount how important Damien Mama could be for the Trojans. Mama is a guy who could anchor the line for two or three years, in the mold of Matt Kalil. Even if he goes on a mission, he is still a major pickup.

Nourian: Adoree’ Jackson would be a huge pick up for the Trojans come National Signing Day. The five-star cornerback out of Gardena, Calif. is the No. 9-ranked recruit in the ESPN 300 and is the No. 1 prospect in the state of California. Jackson sports tremendous speed on the outside, running a 4.48 official 40-yard dash, and he would be a big upgrade for USC at the cornerback position, which seemed to be in doubt at times last season. He is going to be a tough get, though, as Jackson’s offer sheet goes on and on with offers from the nation’s top programs including national champion Florida State, Oklahoma and other Pac-12 teams such as Oregon, Arizona State and crosstown rival UCLA.

 

Q: Did USC address all of its areas of need in this recruiting class?

Selbe: At this point, I would say yes. The Trojans have a bevy of commits on the both lines, and have at least two commits in the secondary with possibly more on the way. Sarkisian got a commitment from the No. 1 tight end in Dixon, which should help after the departure of Xavier Grimble. The one position that appears to be lacking in this class is wide receiver, with just one commitment so far in Rahshead Johnson, but this might not be that big of an issue next season.