USC Football Recruiting: Handicapping Trojan Offers by Position (Defensive Line)

Though it is very early in the recruiting process, there is still a lot of movement for the Trojans recruiting department, as evidenced by the huge Max Browne verbal commitment.

For USC, shackled by reduced scholarships courtesy of the NCAA's sanctions, finding 15 quality players is crucial because they simply can't afford to miss on impact players.

This installment of an ongoing series will look at prep players the Trojans have offered by unit and attempt to offer a speculative prediction regarding the possibility of them signing with USC.

This slide show will look at the defensive line, a unit (especially at tackle) that will require replenishing through intelligent recruiting.

As of this writing, according to ESPN, the Trojans have 18 scholarship offers out to either defensive ends or tackles.

And though that is too many to cover in this slideshow, here are five the Trojans would love to sign on letter of intent signature day.

No. 5: Montravious Adams

As stated in the opening slide, the Trojans need depth on the defensive line interior, and high on their wish list is Montravious Adams from Dooly County High School in Vienna, Ga.

Rated the No. 1 defensive tackle in the nation by Scout.com, Adams has the size (6'3", 285 lbs.) and explosiveness that has coaches drooling at the next level.

Although still somewhat raw, Adams is a quick learner whose dedication to his craft is unquestioned.

Still, given his geographical location, the Trojans will have to fight and claw with members of the SEC, and Adams already sports offers from powerhouses such as Alabama, Auburn and Florida, just to name a few.

Odds of Adams signing with the Trojans: Marginal

No. 4: Justin Manning

Ranked as the fourth-best defensive tackle in the nation by Scout.com, Justin Manning is a quick but powerful interior lineman whose skills will translate very well at the next level.

Manning, who hails from Dallas, Tex., has good size (6'2", 275 lbs.) and the kind of frame to pack more on later.

A word of caution with Manning, however, is that he has been somewhat injury-prone, including losing four games last season.

Still, when healthy, he is a difference-maker and controls the interior even when double-teamed.

Also an ESPN "watch list" athlete, Manning currently holds offers from more than a dozen schools, including Oklahoma, LSU and hometown favorite Texas.

Odds of Manning signing with the Trojans: Marginal

No. 3: Greg Gilmore

Greg Gilmore is an interesting player in that he has the quickness and strength to play either inside or outside, kind of like Armond Armstead during his healthy Trojan days.

Gilmore, a 4-star Scout.com and ESPN "watch list" athlete, has the frame (6'4") to pack on more weight than his 270 lbs. that he now carries.

Calling Hope Mills, NC home, Gilmore currently has well over a dozen offers in his pocket, and while his interest in the Trojans is stated as "medium," Gilmore has a favorites list of Clemson, Florida and LSU, all of whom have offered him.

Odd of Gilmore signing with the Trojans: Low

No. 2: Joe Mathis

Perhaps the fastest rising prep defensive lineman in the nation, Joe Mathis has simply been dominating whomever is unlucky enough to line up across him all spring long at various camps.

And although the Trojans need tackles more than ends, they would love to see his letter of intent cross the fax line come signing day.

Strong but exceptionally quick, Mathis has a great body (6'3", 255 lbs.) and great speed (4.69 40), and the combination should create havoc at the next level.

Mathis, who calls Upland, Calif. home, is rated a 4-star prospect by Scout.com and is also an ESPN "watch list" athlete.

By the end of the season, Mathis will likely be a 5-star prospect and will add to the 14 or so offers he already claims, including those from powerhouses like Alabama, Oklahoma and Notre Dame, just to name a few.

Still, the Trojans have a good shot to land Mathis, as is the case with all California prep players they have their sights set on.

Odds of Mathis signing with the Trojans: Good

No. 1: Kylie Fitts

Another intriguing defensive end, Kylie Fitts is also a rising athlete who is rated a 4-star prospect by Scout.com, who also says he is the sixth-best at his position in the nation.

Fitts has excellent size (6'4", 260 lbs) and strength, but the best thing about the Redlands, Calif. product is that he has a motor that never stops.

Although he has only recently received an offer from the Trojans, he has them listed as even with the other 13 schools he holds offers from, but rumor has it that recent verbal commits Chris Hawkins and Max Browne are in his ear.

Also, it doesn't hurt that Fitts has camped with USC either.

Odds of Fitts signing with the Trojans: Very Good

Conclusion

It should be noted that the Trojans are already in possession of a very valuable verbal commit from one of the best prep defensive tackles in the nation.

Kenny Bigelow, rated a 5-star prospect by Scout.com, is a big (6'3", 280 lbs.) lineman who gave his verbal to USC late last year.

Bigelow, should he honor the commitment, will be a huge addition to Ed Orgeron's unit, and if the Trojans can get a couple more of Bigelow's type to join him, USC will be just fine going forward.

Of course, a lot can change between now and signing day, so lists like these are subject to radical changes between now and then.

In the meantime, Lane Kiffin and crew will cast their nets far and wide to stock up the defensive line unit for the upcoming years, as this will be a focus for the recruiting department all year long.