Laying the Foundation: USC Football Recruiting, 2011 (4/9/2010)

Though family obligations have kept me from reporting on Lane Kiffin and the USC coaching staff's progress on the 2011 recruiting class for the last couple of weeks, it sure hasn't prevented changes from occurring in my absence.

To be sure, Kiffin and his team's efforts on the recruiting trail have been abundant, especially in the last few days.

Also, there have been some recruits who the Trojans were hot after that have now come off the board by verbally committing to other programs.

While the Trojans will be monitoring those recruits who committed elsewhere to see if they have a change of heart later on, for the most part, USC's recruiting efforts will be be more focused on other players.

One of the players who the Trojans were hot after is Christian Westerman, the five star offensive lineman from Arizona who the Trojans thought they had a good shot at but who instead has cast his lot with the Texas Longhorns.

Another offensive lineman who the Trojans offered, but did not land, is Jordan Prestwood, who verbally committed to Notre Dame.

Finally, Kris Harley, the big defensive tackle from Indianapolis, recently committed to Virginia Tech where he is expected to do big things for the Hokies down the road.

Though these three players would have looked good in cardinal and gold, the attention that would have been devoted to their recruiting will now be focused on other players.

That attention has resulted in offers to the following players, some who carry high ranking with Scout.com, and some who haven't achieved lofty status in terms of rating by that service.

However, regardless what others think, the Trojan coaching staff has extended offers to these players so they obviously have a lot going for them.

Now lets take a look at these newly offered prep players:

Jermauria Rasco

Nearly every program in the country wants this 6'5", 250 lb. defensive end from Louisiana. A five-star recruit who had almost made his decision before USC offered, Rasco will now take his time to make his decision, listing USC as "medium" on his interest list, which is the designation he has made for others who have offered him.

Whatever program is fortunate enough to land Rasco will get a defensive end who has the ability to wreak havoc in their opponents backfield for years to come.

Jordan Walsh

With the Trojans losing out on the above mentioned offensive linemen, USC will begin focusing elsewhere and that attention starts with Jordan Walsh. Walsh, a 6'3", 275-pound lineman from Illinois has the size and technique that the Trojans covet.

Walsh, a dominating player who has yet to allow a sack in his varsity career, holds offers from most of the major programs and lists them all as "medium" in regard to his interest.

Antonio Richardson

As stated before, offensive linemen will be a focus of the Trojans recruiting efforts and one of those prep linemen USC has their eye on is Antonio Richardson. Richardson, who Scout.com lists as a four star recruit, has the frame to become a dominant lineman at the next level.

Antonio Richardson, who hails from Nashville, TN, has many suitors for his services and lists them all as "medium" on his interest list.

George Atkinson

This four-star athlete is intriguing on many levels. Blessed with both great size (6'2.5", 198 lbs.) and speed (4.4 forty), Atkinson is being looked at more as a safety than on offense.

A California product, Atkinson, who hails from Livermore, now holds offers from most of the major programs in the country and lists the Trojans as "medium" on his interest list.

Lateek Townsend

Townsend, a three star outside linebacker from South Carolina, is a fast rising prep player who combines good speed and size with a nose for the ball. With 14 sacks to his credit as a junior, Townsend will look to increase that number by adding weight to a frame that will readily accommodate it.

Lateek Townsend holds offers from most of the major programs and lists them all as "medium" in terms of his interest at this point.

Anthony Chickillo

Another three star, as rated by Scout.com, this defensive lineman from Florida has a great motor who never gives up on a play as evidenced by his 9.5 sacks as a junior. Intelligent (4.2 GPA) and with great size (6'4", 235 lbs.), Chickillo also has very good speed (4.7 forty) to go along with his other attributes.

Chickillo, who holds offers from all the major programs, lists his interest in USC, like all others, as "medium."

Shane Wynn

This diminutive (5'8", 155 lbs) cornerback/wide receiver makes up for his lack of size with incredible quickness. Wynn, who just ran a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash recently, will most likely play cornerback at the next level.

Wynn, who hails from Ohio, holds offers from many of the major programs including Ohio State, lists them all as "medium" in terms of his interest.

So there you have it. The most recent prep recruits who have garnered offers from the Trojans.

Recruiting at this time of year is a tremendously fluid affair with many potential recruits offering verbal commitments and others being added to the ranks of those who have been offered.

With an ear to ground on the recruiting trail, I will bring you all the news on this front as it becomes available.