USC Football Recruiting: Updates on 2013 Commits and Targets

USC is a natural recruiting draw, so it's no surprise that Lane Kiffin and his program have one of the best 2013 recruiting classes in the country.

USC started off this recruiting cycle very hot and have since cooled off a bit, but there's still no doubting the fact that the future of this program is very bright.

There's still time for USC to finish strong, so its going to be an interesting program to keep an eye on in the weeks and days before National Signing Day.

If you're a fan of USC football or even just college football recruiting in general, consider this to be your "one-stop shop" for USC recruiting.

You'll find all the news, analysis and updates on commitments and targets that you'll ever need, right here.

Note: All 2012 stats via 247Sports unless otherwise noted.

Latest News

Update: 4-star weak-side defensive end Jason Hatcher has decommited from USC on 1/23/13

Update: 4-star defensive end Kylie Fitts has decommited from USC on 1/8/13

Update: 4-star strong-side defensive end Joe Mathis commits to Washington over USC, UCLA and Alabama. Mathis committed at the 2013 U.S. Army All-American game. --End of Update 1/5/13

Update: Leon McQuay III commits to USC during the Under Armour All-American game on 1/4/13

Update: Max Redfield snubs USC and commits to Notre Dame on 1/4/13

Update: USC recently lost a very big commitment from 5-star defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes. While this is certainly bad news for Kiffin and his staff, there is still a good chance that the Trojans can regain Vanderdoes' commitment.

According to Gerard Martinez of USCFootball.com, who quotes Vanderdoes' father, the 5-star defensive tackle still holds USC in high regard:

"

"The main thing he wants to make perfectly clear is that USC is still heavily considered," said his father. "From the outside looking in, it may seem odd and people won't understand it.

"USC has done nothing wrong. The recruiting process has been fine and they didn't do anything to drive him away. He let the staff know he was de-committing three weeks ago, so they do know. He is considering other schools and held onto [de-committing] because this was a lot to take in and it wasn't an easy thing to do. 

"

USC is still in consideration, but Notre Dame looks to have a good chance to land his commitment as well. It's worth noting that Vanderdoes will take his final visit to USC, per Martinez's report. 

Quarterbacks

Targets: None

Already Committed:

Max Browne- (Signed) 5-star pro-style QB, 6'5", 210 pounds (247Sports)

2012 Stats: 4,526 YD, 49 TD

All-Star Game: U.S. Army, January 5 - 4-7 52 YDS, 1 TD, 0 INT

Analysis:

There's no doubting that Max Browne has superstar potential, and he could very well be the next great USC quarterback. Browne has great size at 6'5'', 210 pounds, he has tremendous arm strength and he's actually very mobile.

He has the ability to stand tall in the pocket and throw anywhere on the field, but he can also escape the pocket due to his athleticism and he's very accurate on the run. Browne is ranked as the No. 1 pro-style quarterback recruit in the country according to the 247Sports composite rankings. He has what it takes to live up to that ranking. Don't be surprised if he takes a redshirt season though.

Running Backs

Targets: None

Already Committed:

Ty Isaac- 5-star RB, 6'3'', 215 pounds (Rivals)

2012 Stats: 1,500 YD, 22 TD (247Sports)

All-Star Game: Under Armour, January 4, 5 p.m. ET

Justin Davis- (Signed) 4-star RB, 6'1'', 195 pounds (247Sports)

2012 Stats: 1,806 YD, 23 TD

All-Star Game: U.S. Army, January 5, 1 p.m. ET

 

Analysis:

USC is bringing in a very strong running back class that will be able to compete for playing time right away. Isaac, in particular, has the potential to be a great running back in the Pac-12. He has tremendous size and he complements that with great speed. He runs a 4.45 40 according to 247Sports and is the No. 3-ranked running back recruit (247Sports composite rankings).

Davis is another big back for USC and he has plenty of potential as well. The Trojans' 2013 running back class will be very good.

Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends

Targets:

 None

Already Committed:

Steven Mitchell- 4-star WR, 5'10'', 180 pounds, 4.50 40 (247Sports)

All-Star Game: U.S. Army, January 5, 1 p.m. ET

Analysis:

Depth is key at the wide receiver position, but USC is getting more than a backup in Steven Mitchell. He's going to be a player that will compete for playing time very soon. Mitchell has good size and speed and he's ranked as the No. 6 wideout recruit in the nation according to the 247Sports composite rankings. He has the potential to be yet another very good wide receiver to play for USC.

Offensive Line

Targets:

Desmond Harrison: 4-star JUCO OT, 6'7'', 305 pounds (247Sports)

Biggest Competition for Commitment: Oklahoma, Arizona State, Texas

Already Committed:

Nico Falah- 4-star OT, 6'5", 270 pounds (247Sports)

All-Star Game: U.S. Army, January 5, 1 p.m. ET

Khaliel Rodgers- 4-star OG, 6'2", 310 pounds (247Sports)

All-Star Game: U.S. Army, January 5, 1 p.m. ET

Analysis:

USC didn't need to go out and recruit a whole bunch of lineman for the 2013 class, so the fact that Kiffin was able to land two very good recruits in Falah and Rodgers is a huge plus. Both of these players have the potential to be very good at the college level.

Falah is one of the better offensive tackle recruits in the nation and Rodgers has the size to be an elite guard. Rodgers is ranked as the No. 9 offensive guard recruit in the nation according to the 247Sports composite rankings.

Defensive Line

Targets:

Eddie Vanderdoes- Former USC commitment, 5-star DT, 6'2.5'', 302 pounds (247Sports)

2012 Stats: 72 TCK, 9 SCK, 2 FF, 1 FR

All-Star Game: U.S. Army

Biggest Competition for Commitment: Notre Dame, Washington, UCLA

Tim Williams: 4-star WDE, 6'3'', 225 pounds (247Sports)

All-Star Game: Under Armour, January 4, 5 p.m. ET

Biggest Competition For Commitment: Florida State, Miami, Alabama

Kylie Fitts- 4-star SDE, 6'4'', 241 pounds (247Sports)

Jason Hatcher- 4-star WDE, 6'2.5'', 240 pounds, 4.70 40 (247Sports)

Already Committed:

Kenny Bigelow- (Signed) 5-star DT, 6'3'', 297 pounds (247Sports)

All-Star Game: U.S. Army, January 5, 1 p.m. ET

Torrodney Prevot- 4-star WDE, 6'4'', 205 pounds (247Sports)

All-Star Game: U.S. Army, January 5, 1 p.m. ET

 

Analysis:

USC will be bringing in a ton of depth through this defensive line class, but it's also going to be adding some very talented players. Kenny Bigelow is the premier recruit of this group and he has superstar potential. He's the the No. 2 defensive tackle recruit in the country (247Sports composite rankings).

As far as Vanderdoes is concerned, USC still does have a good chance to regain his commitment. If they can do that, this group will be elite.

Linebackers

Targets:

Matthew Thomas- 5-star OLB, 6'3.5'', 210 pounds (247Sports)

All-Star Game: Under Armour, January 4, 5 p.m. ET

Biggest Competition for Commitment: Florida State, Miami, Georgia, Alabama

Quinton Powell- 4-star OLB, 6'2'', 194 pounds, 4.50 40 (247Sports)

Biggest Competition for Commitment: Florida, Miami, Oregon, South Carolina

Already Committed:

Michael Hutchings- 4-star OLB/S, 6'2", 215 pounds (247Sports)

2012 Stats: 113 TCK, 3.5 SCK, 3 INT, 1 FF

All-Star Game: U.S. Army, January 5, 1 p.m. ET

Analysis:

Michael Hutchings is a very big linebacker recruit for USC. He's the No. 8 outside linebacker recruit (247Sports composite rankings) and he'll be an important player on the Trojan's depth chart right away.

Thomas is a premier 5-star linebacker prospect that USC does have a chance to land, but the Trojans are looking up at Miami and Florida State according to his interest list (247Sports). Powell is another big-time linebacker recruit that USC is targeting out of Florida. He's the No. 13-ranked outside linebacker according to the 247Sports composite rankings.

If USC can land either Thomas or Powell, this linebacker group will be extremely strong.

Defensive Backs

Targets:

Max Redfield- former USC commitment 5-star S, 6'3'', 195 pounds (247Sports)

Update: Max Redfield snubs USC and commits to Notre Dame on 1/4/13

Tahaan Goodman- 4-star S, 6'3'', 195 pounds, 4.50 40 (247Sports)

All-Star Game: U.S. Army, January 5, 1 p.m. ET

Biggest Competition for Commitment: UCLA, LSU, Washington

Already Committed:

Su'a Cravens- (Signed) 5-star S, 6'1", 205 pounds, 4.50 40 (247Sports)

All-Star Game: U.S. Army, January 5, 1 p.m. ET

Jalen Ramsey- 5-star CB, 6'0.5", 189 pounds, 4.53 40 (247Sports Composite)

2012 Stats: 49 TCK, 2 TFL, 3 INT, 2 FF, 2 FR

All-Star Game: U.S. Army, January 5, 1 p.m. ET

Chris Hawkins - (Signed) 4-star CB, 6'0", 175 pounds (247Sports)

2012 Stats: 53 TCK, 2 INT, 1 FF

All-Star Game: U.S. Army - 1 Kickoff Return, 51 YDS

Leon McQuay III- 5-star S, 6'2'', 184 pounds, 4.50 40 (247Sports)

Update: Leon McQuay III commits to USC during the Under Armour All-American game on 1/4/13

Analysis:

This is simply an elite group of secondary recruits, and it has a chance to get even better. Cravens is the No. 1 safety in the 2013 class (247Sports composite rankings) and he's one of the marquee recruits USC has been able to sign.

That said, don't overlook Ramsey and Hawkins, as both of them have the potential to be shutdown corners at the college level.

USC is in the top two (247Sports) for Redfield, who is one of its former commitments, and the Trojans are the favorite for Tahaan Goodman according to his 247Sports interest list. McQuay III is also a big-time prospect, and at the very least the Trojans are in his top five (247Sports).

Overall, this is one of the premier secondary recruiting classes in the nation.