Sills become first recruit from class of 2015


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After signing one of the nation’s top recruiting classes, it appears coach Lane Kiffin is already working on securing another highly touted prospect, David Sills.

Sills, however isn’t a high school state champion or Gatorade Player of the Year, he is a gangly, 5-foot-11 13-year-old hailing from Bear, Del.

That’s right. For the prognosticators and analysts like ESPN’s Tom Lugenbill, whose day-to-day professional obligations hinge on signing day, start preparing for the Class of 2015, because the Trojans’ have already found what they believe is their first five-star recruit.

This recruit, it seems, is unlike any to come before him — his rare ability may overshadow the fact he is still in middle school. Just ask his trainer Steve Clarkson.

Clarkson, who is known around the football community for his bold statements and well-recognized quarterback clients, believe at his age, Sills is the best he is ever worked with.

For a coach whose tutored mentees like Matt Leinart, Jimmy Clausen and Matt Barkley, that statement caught the eye of Kiffin and USC.

“His skill set is off the chart; I’ve never seen anyone at his age do what he’s been able to do,” Clarkson told ESPN.com.

One look at his YouTube highlights and call from Clarkson later, and the USC head coach was convinced Sills, even at age 13, was the real deal.

On Thursday night the scholarship offer became official, as Sills, who has yet to meet with the Trojans’ staff, verbally agreed to attend USC in 2015. While the young man has yet to experience the bright lights of a Friday night or his senior prom, choosing the cardinal and gold was the only logical choice.

While the Delaware-native considers USC a dream school, his unprecedented verbal agreement is not set in stone until he officially signs his letter of intent in Feb. 2015.

Although the decision has set off a rash criticism in the direction of Kiffin and his staff, the unorthodox decision is just another move in a long line that proves the USC coach never takes a day off.

For Kiffin’s sake, let’s hope by the time Sills is eligible to put on a USC jersey in five years, the coach is still around to witness it. Only time will tell.