Why USC Will Have Strongest Finish to 2015 National Signing Day

National signing day is less than one week away, and USC is among a small handful of programs hoping to dominate the final stretch leading into the day that the nation’s top prospects make their commitments official.

Currently, USC has 20 commitments and a class currently rated No. 3 in the country.

But Trojans head coach Steve Sarkisian is far from being done with the 2015 class.

With four targets remaining who are rated among the nation’s top 50 prospects overall still left on the board, USC has a chance to make a serious run at the top overall class.

But can Sarkisian and his staff finish strong?

If last year is any indicator, Trojans supporters will be a happy bunch next Wednesday. The Trojans landed studs such as receiver JuJu Smith, corner Adoree' Jackson and offensive lineman Damien Mama at the final hour—which helped them earn a place among the nation’s top 10 classes for 2014.

This year, Sarkisian and his staff began their push a little earlier.

January has produced pledges from highly touted prospects such as 5-star linebacker Osa Masina, 4-star running back Ronald Jones II, 4-star safety Marvel Tell and 4-star corner Ykili Ross.

The biggest remaining fish on the board is the nation’s top corner—5-star in-state standout Iman “Biggie” Marshall.

Schools such as Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame and Oregon are among the programs trying to lure him away from California, but as his Crystal Ball page indicates, the Trojans are still the heavy favorite.

A pair of studs out of Serra High School in Gardena, California—a school that has been kind to the Trojans in recent history—in 5-star defensive tackle Rasheem Green and 4-star linebacker John Houston are high on Sarkisian’s wish list as well.

According to Ryan Bartow of 247Sports, Green enjoyed himself during his official visit to USC on the weekend of Jan. 16.

"Coach Sark told me how much he wants me and pretty much recruited me," Green told Bartow. "He's trying to get me to USC."

Another high-profile defensive standout who is in play for USC is 4-star linebacker Porter Gustin. The Trojans are battling Arizona State, Notre Dame and Ohio State for the right to land the Utah native.

As Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports notes, the vibes are strong that USC will finish with another flurry that includes most, if not all, of its top targets. 

If that scenario unfolds, national signing day will once again have a Cardinal and Gold flavor to it.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.