USC Football Recruiting: Handicapping the Huge 1/13/12 Visit Weekend (Part 2)

As outlined in part one of this two-part article, the January 13th visit weekend will go a long way to determining just how successful USC recruiting season is in 2012.

Despite operating under the auspices of the NCAA's punishment calling for the reduction of 30 scholarships over the next three years, USC is still crafting a quality recruiting class for this year.

If the prospective Trojans who have already given their verbal pledge to USC can be joined by some who are visiting over the next three weeks, the class will be all the stronger.

This slideshow will look at those prospects who are visiting on the 13th and handicap their odds of signing on the dotted line when it comes time to ink their names on the national letter of intent.

Who are these elite prep players?

Let's take a look...

Tracy Howard

Recruiting season often holds many surprises. The latest for the Trojans is the recent visit commitment from 5-star (both Rival.com and Scout.com) cornerback Tracy Howard.

Howard, who hails from Miramar, Fl., has long been thought to be a heavy Florida lean, but with his interest to come out west, the door has been reopened as to where he will wind up.

At 5'11", 175 lbs, Howard will have to put on some weight at the next level, but he has all the physical tools to be a shutdown corner.

In addition to Florida, Howard holds offers from most of the major programs.

Odds of Howard signing with the Trojans: Low to medium

Jabari Ruffin

The Trojans need linebackers and in Jabari Ruffin, they will get a good one.

Ruffin—6'3", 230 lbs—is rated a 4-star prospect by both Rivals.com and Scout.com. He is fast and mobile and has a tremendous knack for finding the ball.

He has been committed to USC for quite a while and there has been little chatter of him looking elsewhere.

Nonetheless, Ruffin holds a ton of offers in his pocket, although he seems set on wearing the cardinal and gold.

Odds of Ruffin signing with the Trojans: Very High

Isaac Seumalo

With offensive guard Isaac Seumalo having already given his verbal commitment to Oregon State, the purpose of his visiting USC probably falls into the "free vacation" category.

Seumalo goes 6'4", 275 lbs, and is a very mobile big man who excels at pulling in running plays.

Seumalo holds a number of offers in addition to the one from USC, but as an Oregon native, the likelihood of changing his mind seems remote for the Trojans.

Likelihood of Seumalo signing with the Trojans: Low

Zach Banner

If the Trojans were to land big (6'9", 295 lbs) Zach Banner, it would add the icing to the cake for a very productive offensive line class for 2012.

Banner, who is a 5-star Scout.com prospect, is dominant at the prep level and he will be the same in college.

He has already taken visits to Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Michigan and hometown Washington and it can only benefit USC that they will be the program to leave the most recent impression on him.

Banner also wants to play basketball and I'm sure Trojan hoops coach Kevin O'Neill would be happy to accommodate him.

Odds of Banner signing with the Trojans: Medium to good

D.J. Foster

If there is one skill position player that the Trojans would love to have, that guy is D.J. Foster out of Saugaro High School in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Foster, who is 6'0" and 185 lbs, is an extremely versatile prospect who can play running back, cornerback, return kicks and would be dynamite on special teams.

Quick and explosive, Foster is being recruited by USC linebacker commit Scott Starr. Trojan redshirt freshman lineman Cyrus Hobbi also played for Saugaro and has been in his ear, as well.

Foster holds offers from many of the best programs in the nation and has identified Oregon, Auburn and Arizona State as the main players for his services along with USC.

Odds of Foster signing with the Trojans: Medium to good

Darreus Rogers

For the first time in years, USC won't be pursuing a bevy of wide receivers (oh, they will gladly take Stefon Diggs if he wants come west) but the one they will take, Darreus Rogers, will be a big-time player for the Trojans when his time comes.

Rogers, a 4-star prospect (Scout.com), is a big (6'2", 195 lbs) receiver in the Robert Woods/Marqise Lee mold.

Rogers has been a verbal commitment to USC for some time now and while he holds many offers, his signing with the Trojans looks like a good bet.

Odds of Rogers signing with the Trojans: Very high

Kyle Dodson

Much as is the case with Isaac Seumalo, the visit by offensive lineman Kyle Dodson is little more than a vacation trip to sunny California.

Dodson has been a longtime verbal commit to Wisconsin and there is little doubt that that is where he will wind up.

Though stranger things have happened, the 3-star tackle will be a Badger when all is said and done.

Odds of Dodson signing with the Trojans: Low

Conclusion

The next two visit weekends will have a large say in how the Trojans' recruiting success will translate for 2012.

In addition to the January 13 weekend visits, there will also be another big weekend scheduled for January 20, when another group of highly-touted prep players, including Kyle Murphy, Aziz Shittu, Leonard Williams, Tyriq McCord (who was scheduled for January 13 but moved to the 20th instead) and others will arrive in the southland.

If the players who gave the Trojans their verbal pledges follow through on signing day and are joined by a couple others who are visiting in January, this will be a very successful recruiting season for Lane Kiffin, Ed Orgeron and the entire staff.

Given the constraints of the NCAA's imposition of reduced scholarships, Trojan fans should be very grateful that this ship is being guided by probably the most capable staff in America.

Now we just have to see what that recruiting ship looks like and exactly who is on it.

Next: Handicapping the Trojans Huge January 20th Visit Weekend