USC Football Recruiting: Profiling the 2014 Running Back Offers

On the surface, USC looks pretty well stocked at the running back position, especially with the strong spring showing of Justin Davis and the fall arrival of Ty Isaac both of whom were consensus 5-star runners.

Still, there are some exciting prospects out there, and although the Trojans will likely only take one at this position in the 2014 class, that individual will be expected to make his mark for the men of Troy sooner rather than later.

This slideshow will look at a rather small class of prospective Trojan running backs.

Although they are short on numbers, this group is big on talent and here they are...

Racean Thomas

A great blend of power and speed, Oxford, Ala., running back Racean Thomas is one of those special guys who can either run you over or leave you in a cloud of dust as you watch him blur to the end zone.

At 5'11", 204 pounds, Thomas is as good a back as there is in the prep ranks for the 2014 class.

Coming from Alabama, you can be sure the Crimson Tide will be tough to beat for Thomas' services, but he is claiming via Scout.com that all who have offered—and that includes some of the best programs in the nation—are even in terms of his interest.

Joe Mixon

If you are looking for the proverbial "home run hitter," a guy that can take it to the house every time he touches the ball—look no further than Joe Mixon.

Mixon is a 247sports.com and Scout.com 4-star running back who has more moves than a night with Dancing with the Stars.

However, unlike many "speed guys," Mixon has excellent size at 6'2", 195 pounds and he is just now beginning to scratch the surface of his enormous potential.

Holding more than 30 offers, Mixon has made his initial "cut" to 20 programs and USC is among those, according to Scout.com.

Nathan Starks

Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) High School has been dominant in the gambling state for some time and the reason for this is it produces players like Nathan Starks.

Starks is a 5'11", 200-pound speedster (4.46 40) who can bowl you over almost as easily as he can run around you.

Technically sound, Starks will thrive at the next level where his football acumen will enhance the God-given talent he possesses.

Starks recently trimmed his list to a top five and USC made the cut along with such powerhouses as Alabama and Notre Dame, according to Scout.com.

Royce Freeman

Unlike Joe Mixon and Nathan Starks, Imperial High School (Imperial, Calif.) running back, Royce Freeman is not a guy who will "finesse" you.

Instead, the powerful Freeman would just as soon run you over as he uses his 6'`1", 220-pound frame to bulldoze his way ahead.

This is not to say that he is slow because his 40 time (4.62) improves every time out, but he will hang his hat on the power game to be sure.

At this point, Freeman has almost 20 offers and calls them all "medium" in terms of his interest, according to Scout.com.

Conclusion

Although running back is not a primary need in 2014, you can be sure the Trojans will make room for any of the backs profiled here.

In fact, if guys like Mixon and Thomas were to both favor playing for the men of Troy, Kiffin and his staff would find room for them somehow.

Still, with other needs being far more pressing, USC will hope for one back in this class and will not be heartbroken if none are taken, which will free up a precious scholarship for other areas.

Regardless of how these scholarships are distributed, check the live blog often for all of the news regarding recruiting for the Trojans.