USC Football Recruiting 2013: Top In-State Prospects Trojans Can't Let Slip Away

Lane Kiffin and his staff signed a top-15 recruiting class in the 2012 cycle, and the Trojans clearly will be aggressive, though very selective in recruiting thanks to scholarship limits.

The talent in California for 2013 is like it always is: excellent.

There are a wealth of players in-state alone that USC should and will be in on. Even though it's early in the cycle, there are a couple prospects that I think the Trojans just without a doubt have to get.

Here they are.

6. Max Redfield, DB

Redfield is from a normal USC-pipeline in Mission Viejo High School, and that's a good reason that the Trojans have to get him: so they can continue feeding from the Diablos.

However, Redfield is also one of the best safety prospects in the country at 6'2" and 195 pounds. He looks like a future free safety, thanks to outstanding athleticism, play speed and range.

Oregon is the Trojans' main competition right now.

5. Nico Falah, OT

Falah is an OL prospect from St. John Bosco and stands at 6'5", 280 pounds. After striking out on Kyle Murphy and Andrus Peat last year, the Trojans will need to take a couple top OLs this 2013 class for sure. 

Starting with Falah wouldn't be a bad start, as he shows great agility on the edges, excels as a pass protector and flashes a chippy, mean streak as a drive blocker.

The Trojans extended an offer recently, which excited Falah.

4. Eddie Vandergoes, DL

Vandergoes is a NorCal native and plays a position where you can never have enough good talent: DL. The thing about Vandergoes is that he's 6'4", 285 pounds and strong as an ox.

I think he can grow into a DT or be a great strong side-end like Armond Armstead was at USC. His interest in the Trojans is apparent, but it's early and Vandergoes holds a plethora of offers, and Oregon could be the team to beat.

3. Michael Hutchings, OLB

Only reason I'm listing Hutchings at No. 3 is because the Trojans are young at OLB and letting him slip away would be a blow, but not that big of a blow.

However, there's also a great chance that Hutchings will actually move back to SS in college. Any way you slice it, he's a great player at 6'1", 210 pounds, with great range, quickness, vision to ball carriers, speed and athleticism.

He appears to have great interest in the Trojans, but other schools are lurking mightily. 

2. Su'a Cravens, DB

Cravens is 6'1", 205 pounds and can play safety, OLB, RB or WR for a team. He shows great hips and agility in space, instincts versus the run and pass and never backs down from contact.

He's a five-star caliber recruit and one of the elite prospects, not just in SoCal but in the nation. 

USC is in the mix for his services, but so are a lot of other schools. However, Cravens grew up a Trojan fan. 

1. Justin Davis, RB

Davis may be the best RB in California for 2013, as well as being one of the best overall players nationally. 

Running back is an important position of need for the Trojans, as their one-time embarrassingly-rich stable of backs is a bit on the bare side these days.

Depth and talent are needed with the incoming reinforcements, and that is why Davis is the top prospect USC needs to land. He's a 6'1", 200-pound rock-toter with great speed, can run inside and has been uber-productive in his high school career. 

USC looks good right now in the Davis sweepstakes.