USC Football Recruiting: Handicapping the Huge January 13 Visit Weekend (Part 1)

USC head coach Lane Kiffin is in quite a fix these days.

Operating under the constraints of 10 reduced scholarships available thanks to the NCAA's punishment of the Trojans related to the Reggie Bush scandal, Kiffin has some difficult decisions to make.

He has to chart a course for USC that accommodates those yearly loss of scholarships (for the next three years) yet still keep the Trojans competitive.

Its an unenviable task and one made even more arduous when you consider the only viable option available for Kiffin when it comes to those precious scholarships.

You see, the important number when it comes to Trojan scholarships isn't the 15 yearly allotment (for the next three years) but rather the 75 player maximum they will be allowed to have on the roster.

So once the Trojans hit that 75 player limit, the scholarships end regardless of whether they have issued five or the maximum of 15.

What's a coach to do?

Sadly, that one option alluded to earlier, is to rescind scholarships already issued.

Since scholarships are awarded on yearly basis, players that haven't progressed or are projected very low might be targeted to give their scholarship back.

And it must be tearing Kiffin up to ponder these decisions but he has few options available.

Which makes the January 13 visit date so important for Kiffin and the Trojans.

With several undecided prep studs due to arrive on campus on that date, Kiffin will need to get a feel for how likely it will be that these players don a Trojan cap on national letter of intent signing day.

That determination will guide Kiffin in approaching those players whose scholarships might be in jeopardy.

Its the ugly part of being a head coach in college but one that must be performed to keep a program like USC competitive.

This slide show will take a look at those prep stars visiting the Trojans on January 13 and offer the odds of them signing with USC.

Let's get started...

Andrus Peat

Although the Trojans have received verbal commitments from Jordan Simmons and Max Tuerk, both very highly rated offensive linemen, they would dearly love to sign big Andrus Peat who hails from Tempe, Ariz.

Peat, a 6'7", 305-lb tackle, has everything a coach would want in an O-lineman.

Rated a 5-star prospect by both Scout.com and Rivals.com, Peat's athleticism belies his tremendous size and his potential is almost unlimited.

The visit to USC will be his last before making a decision and that should bode well for the Trojans as Peat has already identified USC, Nebraska, Stanford and Florida State as his final four schools to decide from.

The bad news? Peat's brother Todd, plays for the Cornhuskers.

Odds of Peat signing with USC: Medium

Max Tuerk

While there are no sure things when it comes to verbal commitments (see DeAnthony Thomas), offensive tackle Max Tuerk is about as close as you can get.

Tuerk, a 6'5", 290-lb beast of an offensive tackle, holds over two dozen offers but his commitment to the Trojans seems pretty solid.

Rated a 4-star prospect by both Scout.com and Rivals.com, Tuerk blends both quickness and power into a dominating blocking package.

With USC's continuing need for offensive linemen, receiving a signature on the dotted line from the Santa Margarita, CA product is a must.

Odds of Tuerk signing with the Trojans: Very High

Jordan Simmons

The other big verbal commitment the Trojans received from an offensive linemen is from Crespi High School's Jordan Simmons.

Simmons, who goes 6'5", 340 lbs is a mammoth guard who is rated a 5-star prospect by Rivals.com and a 4-star by Scout.com.

Big and surprisingly nimble, Simmons can make the kind of impact on the Trojans next season that Marcus Martin did in 2011.

While nothing is for sure, there has been little chatter about Simmons looking anywhere else other than the cardinal and gold for a landing spot.

Odds of Simmons signing with the Trojans: Very High

Tyriq McCord

One of those "under the radar" players who will be visiting the Trojans on January 13 is defensive end Tyriq McCord from Tampa, Fla.

McCord wouldn't be designated as under the radar because he lacks ability but rather, it is always a surprise when a very good player escapes the clutches of the major programs in the sunshine state.

McCord, who is a bit undersized at 6'3", 223 lbs, has the ability to put on weight at the next level and his athleticism is off the charts.

Rated a 4-star prospect by both Scout.com and Rivals.com, McCord has been rumored to be a "quiet lean" to the Trojans for some time but with programs such as Florida, Oregon and many others still in the mix, nothing is for sure.

Odds of McCord signing with the Trojans: Medium to good

Conclusion

Okay, that will do it for this first installment of players who will visit the Trojans on January 13.

With an even split of players expected to sign with USC and those who are only considering it, getting a good feel for those still undecided will be critical for Lane Kiffin as he mulls his next move regarding scholarships.

If players like Peat and McCord give Kiffin a "warm fuzzy" regarding their interest in the Trojans, it might not bode well for those marginal players who are on scholarship with USC.

As mentioned before, its a tough situation for both Kiffin and the players in question.

Still, it is part of the job and the coaching staff will handle it in a responsible manner.

Coming up, we will look at part 2 of the big mid-January weekend visit list.