A member of the program informed me late Thursday evening that the top existing priority for this signing class, if USC needs to make room, is at cornerback. The Trojans have already signed one (Chase Williams) and are finalists (if not favorites) for three others (Olaijah Griffin, Isaac Taylor-Stuart and Julius Irvin, who could also end up at safety).
I fully expect the Trojans to add at least one player among this trio; the need is obvious. But I'm told they'd ideally sign more than one on Feb. 7. Signing three corners in a single class was a tougher sell in the past. It doesn't figure to be as much of an issue now, what with USC's base defense featuring two corners and a nickel back. The real predicament facing USC is space. There's not a lot of it, and Clay Helton has spurned the practice of running scholarship players off the roster or revoking scholarships from former walk-ons.
As outlined in
the scholarship distribution chart, USC is currently at 81 scholarships, a number that does not include its four unsigned commits. Quarterback JT Daniels and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown are locks to sign. The source said the Trojans will have a "full" defensive line class, which would seem to indicate commits Trevor Trout
and Tuli Letuligasenoa will join JuCo signee Caleb Tremblay. (
FWIW, our math has USC needing just two down linemen from this class.)
It should be noted that the Trojans can surpass 85 scholarships for now; they only need to be at 85 (or below) by late June when the second summer school session begins. There's a strong possibility that Helton is aware of specific players who ultimately intend to transfer, thus freeing up spots for signing day. That number, I was told Thursday, is inexact and keeps changing, likely because USC's transfer candidates remain undecided about leaving. Consider it part of the mystery that inevitably accompanies every signing day.
