USC Football Recruiting: Handicapping Trojan Offers by Position (Safety)

As stated in my prior slideshow handicapping prospective Trojan cornerbacks, many of the prep safeties the Trojans have their eyes on can also play the corner.

That type of versatility makes these players very attractive to Lane Kiffin and his coaching staff as they try to meander through the next two years of scholarship reductions.

Also, it should be noted that the West Coast prep safety class is extraordinarily deep, and options abound for the Trojans in their search for defensive backfield depth for the future.

This slideshow will look at these safeties and offer a very early prognostication as to whether or not they will be sporting the cardinal and gold in the upcoming years.

So join me as a I play "Carnac the Magician" and handicap this quality class of safeties.

Su'a Cravens

Though the Trojans are recruiting Cravens to play outside linebacker, most believe that he will wind up at safety.

Or running back, cornerback, whatever.

That is how good Cravens is; he could excel almost anywhere.

Problem is, everyone wants the 6'1", 205 lb. athlete, and his offer list reflects literally every major college power among the over 30 offers he has received.

The Trojans do have some things going for them, however.

Cravens has shown interest in USC, and his cousin is Jordan Cameron, the former Trojan tight end who now plays for the Cleveland Browns.

Odds of Cravens signing with the Trojans: Medium to good

Priest Willis

Much like Su'a Cravens, Scout.com 5-star safety Priest Willis can play multiple positions, including corner.

At 6'1", 190 lbs., Willis has the size to "lay the wood" and the speed to stay with whomever has the temerity to test him deep.

And also like Cravens, Willis is a wanted man.

Boasting well over two dozen offers, Willis can choose from top programs from coast-to-coast, and at this point, calls them all even in terms of his interest.

However, USC verbal commit Chris Hawkins will be working on him to don the cardinal and gold, and the odds of him doing just that are fairly good.

Odds of Willis signing with the Trojans: medium to good

Max Redfield

In what has been a recurring theme, Mission Viejo (Calif.) High School's Max Redfield can play either safety or corner, although he prefers the former.

Redfield, a 4-star prospect according to Scout.com, has all of the things one looks for in a prototype safety.

At 6'2", 195 lbs. and a frame that can easily carry more weight, Redfield has improved every year, and there is no reason to believe that won't continue.

The best news for Trojans fans is that Redfield's interest in USC is high.

The bad news? His interest is the same for Oregon

Odds of Redfield signing with the Trojans: Very good but a lot depends on what Cravens and Willis do.

Tahaan Goodman

Yet another of those "hybrid" safeties that is talented enough to possibly play corner at the next level.

Realistically, though, Tahaan Goodman, who plays his trade for Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) will likely stay at safety for the program lucky enough to get this 6'2", 195 lb. heat-seeking missile.

Regardless of where he plays, Goodman is an impact player.

Somewhat reminiscent of the Trojans' T.J. McDonald, Goodman supports the run well and is capable of sealing off the long bomb.

Although Goodman holds multiple offers, including those from many of the nation's top programs, Scout.com reports that they are "even" in terms of his interest.

However, it should be noted that Trojan verbal commit Chris Hawkins is Goodman's teammate, and he has been in his ear trying to get Goodman to the Trojans.

Odds of Goodman signing with the Trojans: Very good but much will depend on other commitments.

Conclusion

Because every safety listed here has interest in the Trojans, much will depend on who pulls the trigger first with a verbal commitment to USC.

Still, it should be noted that guys like Cravens (cornerback, linebacker, perhaps even running back), Willis (corner) and Redfield (wide receiver) all are capable of playing other positions and may wind up somewhere besides safety at the next level.

Regardless of what position these guys end up playing at, they are all incredible athletes and will make an impact at the college level.

For that reason, Lane Kiffin and his staff will be happy to accommodate players' wishes (at least for the most part) as to where they play.

And Trojan fans will be grateful for their contributions where ever that may be.