Counting scholarships in USC’s 2016 recruiting class
Video of several of USC’s top recruits participating in the Trojans’ Rising Stars camp.
USC has eight remaining scholarships in its 2016 recruiting class with more than seven months until signing day.
The Trojans began the 2016 cycle with 25 scholarships.
Four scholarships will be given to blue-shirt recruits — offensive lineman Clayton Johnston, receiver Deontay Burnett and tight ends Taylor McNamara and Daniel Imatorbhebhe — after the first day of training camp in August.
Thirteen other players have verbally committed.
USC received a flurry of commitments on defense this month, but the Trojans have yet to land a defensive back.
Gardena Serra safety C.J. Pollard, the son of former Trojans defensive back Marvin Pollard, is thought to be leaning toward signing with USC and said he would announce his decision at The Opening in July. Pollard participated in Rising Stars.
Defensive linemen Keanu Saleapaga of La Mirada and Liam Jimmons of Huntington Beach received offers and committed following USC’s offensive and defensive line camp earlier this month. Keyshon Camp of Lakeland, Fla., committed after he visited USC last week and played in Rising Stars.
Linebackers Daelin Hayes of Ann Arbor, Mich., and North Torrance’s Mique Juarez were among the first to commit to USC’s 2016 class. Hayes has made multiple unofficial visits to campus over the last year and also worked out at Rising Stars. Juarez made an unofficial visit to campus for day one of Rising Stars, but did not participate. He played in UCLA’s Elite Camp the following day. Jordan Iosefa of St. Louis School in Hawaii received an offer earlier this spring and committed this month. He made an unofficial to USC for Rising Stars.
Glendora High’s Matt Fink is expected to be the only quarterback USC signs. Fink traded reps on day one of Rising Stars with 2017 quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Lancaster Paraclete’s Melquise Stovall is the only committed running back. He also worked out as a defensive back at Rising Stars. After USC signed three running backs in 2015, Stovall could be the Trojans’ lone back in 2016.
Two receivers, Velus Jones and Josh Imatorbhebhe, have committed. Jones, of Saraland, Ala., and Imatorbhebhe, of Suwanee, Ga., played at Rising Stars. USC is expected to sign as many as five receivers.
Tight end Cary Angeline of Downing East High in Exton, Penn., committed last week. Angeline made an unofficial visit to USC in April.
With commitments from McNamara and Imatorbhebhe, it was uncertain how many tight ends USC will sign in 2016.
Santa Ana Mater Dei’s Frank Martin and Mesa’s Nathan Smith are USC’s two offensive lineman committed. Martin played at Rising Stars.
Questions or comments about USC? Email me at LNThiry@gmail.com or tweet @LindseyThiry and I will respond to select messages in a weekly USC Now mailbag.
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