USC Trojan Football Recruiting: The 'High Interest' List (Part 1)

Typically, most recruiting articles feature players that college programs have expressed interest in and are pursuing with vigorous zeal.

This slideshow will be somewhat different, as it will highlight prep players who USC is interested in, and while the the Trojans may indeed be pursuing them, the difference is that these players have already gone on record as saying they are interested in playing for the men of Troy.

Based on information supplied by Scout.com, the players profiled here have already identified USC as a program they are very interested in, and, as such, fans of the program should keep a close eye on these potential Trojans.

The following is a thumbnail sketch of these players, with information drawn from a variety of sources, along with how they would fit in the program.

The vast majority of these players have already received offers from the Trojans and those who have not may soon find themselves with one.

So let's get to know these prep studs who are giving USC some early love.

Justin Manning (Defensive Tackle)

Trojan fans need to keep a close eye on Dallas, Texas defensive lineman Justin Manning for a couple of reasons.

First, the Trojans desperately need to replenish the D-line, especially at the interior positions.

Also, recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach Ed Orgeron will be the guy chirping in Manning's ear to come west to play for the cardinal and gold, and anyone who knows anything about recruiting is well aware how persuasive "Coach O" can be.

If he is successful, the Trojans will be getting a Scout.com 5-star player who is ranked No. 5 at his position in the nation.

Also ranked a 4-star prospect by ESPN, Manning brings good size (6'2", 275 lbs) and incredible quickness to the position.

Although Manning lists his interest in the Trojans as "high," he has also identified LSU and Oklahoma among a handful of others that he is very interested in.

Max Redfield (Defensive Backfield)

Those who follow the Trojans have had Scout.com 4-star safety/wide receiver Max Redfield on their radars since USC offered him in 2011.

Redfield, who is listed as an "athlete" by ESPN, who also rate him a 4-star prospect because of his versatility, reminds some of Trojan receiver Marqise Lee, and wouldn't that make him a spectacular find?

At 6'2", 195 lbs, the Mission Viejo High School prospect holds over two dozen offers, but it appears that Oregon is the Trojans main competition for the multi-talented prospect.

Greg Gilmore (Defensive Tackle)

This won't be the first time I have profiled big Greg Gilmore from Hope Mills, N.C. (and it probably won't be the last), but since he has professed a sincere interest in USC, I figure he deserves to be included in this list.

Much like Justin Manning, Gilmore will have Ed Orgeron will be urging him to come west and play for the Trojans.

Gilmore, a Scout.com 4-star defensive tackle who is rated the seventh best in the nation at his position, has the kind of frame (6'4", 270 lbs) that can pack on much more weight at the next level.

But it is his quickness that has defensive coordinators drooling, and the ESPN 4-star prospect's athleticism will translate very well at the college level.

It won't be easy for the Trojans to land Gilmore, however, as he has also listed Alabama, Clemson, Florida and LSU among his favorites.

Steven Mitchell (Wide Receiver)

Not all prospects who would love to play for the Trojans have received offers from USC, and this is the case with Bishop Alemany High School (Mission Hills, Calf.) wide receiver Steven Mitchell.

Mitchell, a Scout.com 4-star prospect, is one of the west coast's top receivers and while he isn't big (5'10", 180 lbs), he is very quick and athletic.

And don't think that Mitchell is unwanted. He has offers from Notre Dame and Texas A&M, among others.

Though Mitchell would clearly love an offer from the Trojans, USC will likely take their time to extend one depending on what happens with others who have already received theirs.

Conclusion

These players represent some, but not all, of the prospects who have expressed a high interest in playing for the men of Troy.

What happens next is, of course, up to the efforts from USC's recruiting staff and the players themselves.

You can likely expect that the Trojans will receive a signed letter of intent from at least a couple of these players, but nothing (remember DeAnthony Thomas?) is for certain.

What can be counted on is that USC will keep these players in their lines of sight and if hard work and expertise from a coaching staff counts for anything, then there is a good chance that some will be signing on the dotted line come February 2, when LOIs are faxed to the colleges of their choice.

So only time will tell as to which of these players will be wearing the cardinal and gold in the upcoming years, but having them express "high interest" in USC is a good sign.

Make that a very good sign.