Top Recruits Who Will Be Impacted by Result of USC-UCLA

A heated Pac-12 rivalry renews Saturday when UCLA and USC battle at the Rose Bowl. These teams annually clash in conference action and along the recruiting trail, as both the Bruins and Trojans jockey for common prospect targets from across the country.

This latest installment of the matchup will lure coveted players to Pasadena for a firsthand look. It also promises to impact how both programs are viewed by members of the 2015 recruiting class less than three months away from national signing day.

Here's a peek at several prospects who will be watching closely when these teams kick off.

5-Star DB Kevin Toliver (Jacksonville, Florida)

Credit: 247Sports

When it comes to proximity, UCLA is an outlier among Kevin Toliver's top suitors. Though he committed to LSU as a sophomore, the Trinity Christian Academy cornerback continues to explore other campuses during the final stretch of his recruitment.

This season has already featured official visits to Virginia Tech, Ohio State and Florida State. Now he heads to the West Coast for a glimpse of game-day action at UCLA.

Toliver, a 6'2", 185-pound specimen, has been a heavily targeted out-of-state prospect for Jim Mora. That pursuit hasn't slowed down despite a steady commitment to LSU and long-distance communication.

"The biggest school coming at me is UCLA," Toliver told Amos Morale of NOLA.com earlier this year.

The Bruins hold a pledge from linebacker Victor Alexander, who helped Toliver lead Trinity Christian to a state title last fall. The two Sunshine State playmakers are expected to attend the game together.

Though it remains highly unlikely that Toliver would flip to UCLA, give Mora and his staff credit for setting up this visit. He would undoubtedly be one of the biggest defensive pickups for the Bruins in recent memory and add impressive balance to a class that's currently top-heavy with offensive talent.

5-Star WR Christian Kirk (Scottsdale, Arizona)

Saguaro High School standout Christian Kirk is still weighing offers from USC and UCLA, teams that would love to pair him with heralded incoming passers for years to come. The 5'10", 191-pound playmaker is rated fifth nationally among wide receivers in 247Sports' composite rankings.

Kirk leads an unbeaten Saguaro squad searching for its second straight state title, making noise in a variety of roles.

He is over 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his career, averaging 12 yards per carry through 12 games, according to MaxPreps. Kirk has also caught 53 passes for 998 yards, putting him just two yards shy of a third consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season.

"Christian has the ability to break any play at any time as long as the ball touches his hands," 5-star UCLA quarterback commit Josh Rosen told me this summer. "It would be awesome if UCLA can bring him in. I think a guy like Christian would complement the group of receivers they already have and become a big weapon in the slot and downfield."

Ricky Town, his 5-star counterpart in the 2015 USC class, echoes those sentiments.

"He's a guy we're pursuing at USC and someone who would be great to throw the ball to at the next level," Town told me in July.

Kirk spent an official visit at UCLA earlier this month. He's also considering Ohio State, Texas A&M, Auburn and Arizona State.

4-Star LB John Houston (Gardena, California)

Credit: 247Sports

John Houston, rated third nationally among outside linebackers, stars at Los Angeles-area powerhouse Junipero Serra High School. The 6'3", 211-pound prospect picked up offers from UCLA and USC before the end of his sophomore year, though the Trojans seem to be a more formidable contender for his commitment.

He's established a strong relationship with the coaching staff and attended camp on campus this summer. Still, Houston is far from a lock to remain in his home state.

Past official visits feature Oregon and Miami, where he traveled with teammate Rasheem Green last weekend. Houston is expected to visit Arizona State this Saturday, before rounding off campus trips with stops at USC and Oklahoma.

There's a crowded field remaining in the mix, so USC's case would be aided by a strong finish. A poor showing against UCLA could open the door even further for Houston to consider other options.

He ranks among the most productive defenders in this class, with more than 400 tackles since 2012, per MaxPreps. Houston had three sacks and three interceptions though the first 10 games of his senior season.

USC hopes to continue a strong pipeline to Junipero Serra that's include Adoree' Jackson, Robert Woods and Marqise Lee.

5-Star DT Rasheem Green (Gardena, California)

Credit: 247Sports

Rasheem Green and the aforementioned John Houston may very well be a package duo at the next level. The game-changing defenders figure to be instant-impact freshmen in college and currently anchor a talent-laden Junipero Serra High School attack.

The 6'5", 275-pound lineman tallied 56 tackles and eight sacks through the first 10 games this season, per MaxPreps. He is a disruptive interior pass-rusher with 15.5 sacks since 2013. UCLA and USC made him a key priority early in the process, but several teams have joined this pursuit.

Green visited Oregon and Miami in recent weeks. The USC-UCLA matchup provides both programs with a chance to flex their muscles and make a positive impression.

He is expected to announce his collegiate decision in January at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. With just six weeks remaining, every effort counts for the Bruins and Trojans.

5-Star DB Iman Marshall (Long Beach, California)

The young man they call "Biggie" has kept largely quiet about where his allegiances lie in Southern California. Iman Marshall, the naton's top-ranked cornerback in 247Sports' composite rankings, shuts down opponents at nearby Long Beach Poly High School and warranted early offers from both universities.

He didn't allow a single pass completion in league play last year and leads a 10-win team with 16 pass disruptions despite limited targets, per MaxPreps. Marshall drew rave reviews this summer at The Opening, an elite invite-only prospect showcase at Nike's world headquarters.

"You can tell how much he understands the mental part of this game," USC quarterback commit Ricky Town told me at the event. "A lot of defensive backs have the size and speed but get lost in coverage. He can do it all."

Marshall announced his official visit list this summer featuring LSU, Notre Dame, Michigan, Florida State and Oklahoma. However, he's yet to take those trips and maintains local programs are still firmly in the picture.

"I'm very interested in [UCLA, USC and Stanford], but I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to see what the rest of the country has to offer," Marshall told me in August. "I only have five official visits to use, and I didn't want to waste any here on the West Coast."

He's teased Trojans and Bruins fans in recent weeks, wearing both UCLA gloves and USC armbands during games.

4-Star OL Josh Wariboko (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)

Credit: 247Sports

Dominant offensive lineman Josh Wariboko is widely expected to commit to either Oklahoma or UCLA. He journeys out west this weekend for an up-close assessment of one possible destination.

The 6'3.5", 315-pound Casady School standout makes his official visit to UCLA and could arrive at a decision in the near future, meaning this campus stay carries a lot of weight. Wariboko, rated sixth nationally among offensive guards in 247Sports' composite rankings, initially committed to Oklahoma before his junior season but reopened the recruiting process months later.

While exploring other opportunities, he's visited Oklahoma State and Ohio State. This weekend may be the final hurdle for Bob Stoops and the Sooners to clear before bringing him back into the fold.

Expect UCLA to roll out the red carpet for his arrival. Wariboko would be a welcome addition for a program looking to strengthen its offensive front.

Quotes obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report national recruiting analyst Tyler Donohue unless otherwise noted.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.