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

Although the Trojans seem set at the wide receiver position at the moment, defections in the form of transfers Brice Butler and Kyle Prater have left a once well-stocked unit depleted, especially for the future.

This became particularly evident in the recently spring camp when the unit often only featured three scholarship receivers (Da'Von Flournoy, Marqise Lee and Victor Blackwell).

To address this deficiency, the Trojans have left no stone unturned in their search to re-stock this once player abundant position.

This slide show will take a look at whom the Trojans have offered and the likelihood of their signing with the Cardinal and Gold.

Surprisingly, the vast majority of these (and future) offers feature out of state players, and while some West Coast guys will likely receive one, those players will have to work a bit harder for that to happen.

Now let's find out who may be catching balls from the guy who succeeds Matt Barkley.

Laquon Treadwell

The Trojans love big receivers, and Laquon Treadwell from Crete, Ill. certainly fits that bill.

At 6'3", 190 lbs., the Scout.com 4-star prospect combines that good size with surprisingly fluid body control to form a dominant pass-catching set of skills.

Treadwell holds offers from many of the nation's top programs, including Notre Dame, Ohio State and Oklahoma and says they are all even for his services.

Odds of Treadwell signing with the Trojans: Marginal

Jordan Cunningham

Ranked the No. 32 rated player in the ESPN 150, Ft. Lauderdale's (FL) Jordan Cunningham only has decent size (6'1", 175 lbs) and adequate (4.57 40) speed, but may have the softest hands of any receiver in the nation.

Cunningham boasts over two dozen offers, including those from premier programs such as Oklahoma, Florida and Florida State.

Odds of Cunningham signing with the Trojans: Low

Travis Johnson

Keeping in tune with the big receivers, Travis Johnson (6'4", 200 lbs) uses that size and good speed to excellent use on the outside.

Rated a 3-star prospect by Scout.com but a 4-star by ESPN, the Tampa, Fla. native holds more than 20 offers, many from the top-rated programs in the nation.

One thing to keep in mind with Johnson is that the Trojans have had very good recent luck recruiting in the Sunshine State, and rumor has it that Johnson likes what he sees in USC.

Odds of Johnson signing with the Trojans: Medium

Richard Benjamin

One of the early wide receiver offers made in 2012 by the Trojans was to Tampa, Florida's Richard Benjamin.

Benjamin, who has good size (6'1", 180 lbs.) to go along with elite quickness, is a sure handed receiver who translates well at the next level.

A Scout.com 3-star prospect and an ESPN 150 4-star player, Benjamin has offers from most of the nation's best programs and lists them all as even in terms of his interest.

Odds of Benjamin signing with the Trojans: Medium

Ricky Jefferson

Ricky Jefferson is an interesting player who doesn't possess elite size, but is an effective receiver nonetheless.

At 6'0", 180 lbs., he won't physically overwhelm anyone, but is very quick and can use his athleticism to uncover in tight situations.

A Scout.com 4-star prospect, Jefferson currently only holds offers from about a half a dozen programs, but they include heavy hitters such as LSU and Florida State.

Odds of Jefferson signing with the Trojans: Low

DeAndre Woods

Pinson, Alabama's DeAndre Woods fits the mold of the kind of receivers that USC loves to recruit.

At 6'3", 200 lbs., Woods is a physical player who runs crisp routes and has good hands.

An ESPN 4-star prospect, Woods currently has a half a dozen offers, including one from Auburn.

Odds of Woods signing with the Trojans: Low to medium

Taj Williams

Williams half fits the kind of receiver USC recruits in that he has great height (6'4"), but is painfully thin (166 lbs).

Still, Williams can put on weight at the next level, and his skill set certainly makes him attractive, as evidenced by his multiple offers, including those from elite programs such as Florida, Florida State and Notre Dame, among others.

Odds of Williams signing with the Trojans: Low

Conclusion

Noticeably absent from this list are any California receivers.

However, there are some who may receive an offer from the Trojans at some point this year.

Of those whom USC may offer, Steven Mitchell lists the Trojans as "high" in terms of his interest. The Alemany High School (Mission Hills, Calif.) is a quick and sure-handed but smaller (5'10', 180 lbs.) receiver.

Two others to keep an eye are Sebastian Larue, another quick but small receiver from Santa Monica High School in Santa Monica, Calif., and Demorea Stringfellow, a big (6'3", 195 lbs.) receiver from Rancho Verde High School in Moreno Valley.

Look for the Trojans to take one but not more than two receivers in this class unless one of the elite guys fall into their lap come letter of intent signing day.

Regardless of who they take, expect those who come west to play for the men of Troy to continue the excellence that has been a trademark of USC at the position over the last decade.