USC Football Recruiting: Trojans Are Building Up to a Thin and Top-Heavy Class

USC is getting some big-name talent but little depth in this recruiting class. 

The good news is that the Trojans currently have four commitments from players in Scouts' top 100. The bad news is that they have just 13 total commitments. 

Not that this is surprising. Lane Kiffin and his coaches had an inherent disadvantage this recruiting season. They had 10 less scholarships to work with—just like they did last year, and just like they will next year. 

Needless to say, this is going to take its toll on USC. The lack of depth will be difficult to overcome. It will limit their ability to overcome injuries and their ability to make situational substitutions.

This also limits a university's margin for error in recruiting. Recruiting is an inexact science. Just because an athlete is highly regarded, it does not mean he will pan out.

Still, the percentages of a 5-star prospect panning out are much higher than a 2-star prospect. And in this regard, USC is doing about as well as could be expected.

The Trojans' percentage of highly-touted recruits is staggering. Nine of their 13 prospects, again according to Scout, are 4 or 5-star prospects.

That ratio is slightly better than Texas, who Scout rates as having the nation's No. 1 class.

They took another step towards helping limit their bust potential by snagging a 5-star safety who will come to USC via junior college. Gerald Bowman is about as safe a recruit as there is. He is an explosive and hard-hitting player who should be able to start right away.  

It is clear that the Trojans are going to get an influx of talent. They just won't be receiving much depth.