USC Recruiting 2015: Latest News, Rumors and Commit Updates
USC head coach Steve Sarkisian enjoyed one of the most successful signing days in college football last February despite spending limited time recruiting for the Trojans. There's plenty of potential for a repeat performance as he prepares to deliver an encore.
Southern California is an annual hotbed for top prospects, and USC is primed to pick up several key pledges from nearby and beyond state borders. The team currently holds 21 commitments in its 2015 class, according to 247Sports.
Let's take a look at the latest news, top targets and commits for the Trojans.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Latest News
Tuesday, Jan. 6
Osa Masina, a 4-star linebacker from Utah, has set his decision date. The coveted defender will announce collegiate intentions Jan. 23, with USC battling Pac-12 foes UCLA and Arizona State for a commitment:
"I will be announcing my decision on January 23rd @ Brighton High School ! #UCLA #USC #ASU
— Osa Masina (@OS_tertag) January 6, 2015"
The Brighton High School standout secured 97 tackles and 10 sacks as a senior, per MaxPreps. He added nearly 700 offensive yards and 10 touchdowns.
Masina is rated fifth nationally among outside linebackers in 247Sports' composite rankings. Michigan, Wisconsin, Oregon and Utah are among the teams that didn't make his cut.
USC has done an excellent job addressing roster needs during this cycle and Masina could add to the haul. He's among the Trojans' top defensive targets, along with fellow Utah linebacker Porter Gustin and 5-star California cornerback Iman Marshall.
Top Targets and Commitments
| Name | Position | Ranking | High School | Status |
| Iman Marshall | CB | 5-Star (3) | Long Beach Poly (Long Beach, CA) | Target |
| Rasheem Green | DT | 5-Star (15) | Junipero Serra (Gardena, CA) | Target |
| Damarkus Lodge | WR | 5-Star (35) | Cedar Hill (Cedar Hill, TX) | Target |
| John Houston | LB | 4-Star (38) | Junipero Serra (Gardena, CA) | Target |
| Osa Masina | LB | 4-Star (50) | Brighton (Salt Lake City, UT) | Target |
| Porter Gustin | LB | 4-Star (60) | Salem Hills (Salem, UT) | Target |
| DeChaun Holiday | S | 4-Star (68) | Mission Hills (San Marcos, CA | Target |
| Chris Clark | TE | 4-Star (80) | Avon Old Farms (Avon, CT) | Target |
| Equanimeous St. Brown | WR | 4-Star (124) | Servite (Anaheim, CA) | Target |
| Cordell Broadus | WR | 4-Star (139) | Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, NV) | Target |
| Chuma Edoga | OT | 5-Star (17) | McEachern (Powder Springs, GA) | Committed |
| Ricky Town | QB | 4-Star (47) | St. Bonaventure (Ventura, CA) | Committed |
| Marvell Tell | S | 4-Star (58) | Crespi (Encino, CA) | Committed |
| Jacob Daniel | DT | 4-Star (65) | Clovis North (Clovis, CA) | Committed |
| Ronald Jones | RB | 4-Star (82) | McKinney North (Mckinney, TX) | Committed |
| Isaiah Langley | CB | 4-Star (82) | Foothill (Pleasanton, CA) | Committed |
| Ykili Ross | S | 4-Star (108) | Polytechnic (Riverside, CA) | Committed |
| Sam Darnold | QB | 4-Star (158) | San Clemente (San Clemente, CA) | Committed |
| Cameron Smith | LB | 4-Star (167) | Granite Bay (Granite Bay, CA) | Committed |
| De'Quan Hampton | WR | 4-Star (JUCO) | Long Beach City College (Long Beach, CA) | Committed |
| Tyler Petite | TE | 4-Star (313) | Campolindo (Moraga, CA) | Committed |
| Tristan Payton | WR | 4-Star (327) | First Coast (Jacksonville, FL) | Committed |
| Taeon Mason | CB | 3-Star (342) | John Muir (Pasadena, CA) | Committed |
| Dominic Davis | RB | 3-Star (344) | Bishop Alemany (Mission Hills, CA) | Committed |
| Roy Hemsley | OT | 3-Star (350) | Windward School (Los Angeles, CA) | Committed |
| Christian Rector | DE | 3-Star (415) | Loyola (Los Angeles, CA) | Committed |
| Clayton Johnston | OT | 3-Star (425) | Servite (Anaheim, CA) | Committed |
| Isaac Whitney | WR | 3-Star (JUCO) | Riverside C.C. (Riverside, CA) | Committed |
| Noah Jefferson | DE | 3-Star (467) | Desert Oasis (Las Vegas, NV) | Committed |
| Aca'Cedric Ware | RB | 3-Star (471) | Cedar Hill (Cedar Hill, TX) | Committed |
Monday, Jan. 5
USC added a pair of 4-star prospects Saturday at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Defensive backs Marvell Tell and Ykili Ross each pledged to the Trojans, giving the team a potential safety tandem to build around in the future.
Both in-state targets considered several other collegiate options before committing to the class.
Tell, rated fourth nationally among safeties in 247Sports' composite rankings, spent official visits at Texas A&M and Oregon. Ross also weighed offers from Notre Dame, Oregon and Arizona State.
These commitments are another sign that a strong close could be ahead for the Trojans en route to national signing day.
Thursday, Dec. 18
Florida wide receiver Antonio Callaway listed USC among five finalists Wednesday evening. He tweeted out the collection of teams, which also includes Auburn, Alabama, Florida and Miami:
"— Jan9⃣ (@Ripbobby_G) December 18, 2014"
The 5'11", 185-pound playmaker helped lead Booker T. Washington High School (Miami) to a third straight state championship this season. He caught 31 passes as a senior, averaging 26.4 yards per reception.
Callaway finished the campaign with 818 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. His production featured career-highs across the board, resulting in a late rise on several team recruiting boards.
The Trojans extended an offer in late September. USC will likely attempt to line up an official visit with Callaway in January.
The program currently holds commitments from two receiver recruits, including fellow Florida product Tristan Payton.
Monday, Dec. 15
USC is one of five finalists for coveted Connecticut tight end Chris Clark, but the team landed a fellow 4-star prospect at the position during the weekend. Former Duke commit Tyler Petite flipped his commitment to the Trojans after spending five months as a marquee member of the Blue Devils' class.
The 6'5", 225-pound Campolindo High School senior from Moraga, California, is rated 13th nationally among tight ends in 247Sports' composite rankings. Clark, who is listed second on that list, would give USC quite a duo if he joins the class.
He is also considering North Carolina, UCLA, Texas and Michigan. Clark previously pledged to the Wolverines and UNC.
Petite set career-high receiving totals across the board this season. He caught 30 passes for 867 yards and nine touchdowns, per MaxPreps.
Wednesday, Dec. 11
USC is set to welcome in-state target Ykili Ross to campus this weekend. The Polytechnic High School senior possesses two-way potential and is predicted to sign with the Trojans by 85 percent of expert projections in 247Sports' Crystal Ball.
He previously spent time on campus in October and now returns in an official visit capacity. The 6'2", 185-pound playmaker is rated 12th nationally among receivers in 247Sports' composite rankings, but carries plenty of potential at defensive back.
Notre Dame is believed to be USC's biggest contender. for the 4-star recruit He spent an official visit in South Bend last month.
Friday, Dec. 5
If recent developments serve as evidence, Porter Gustin could soon become the newest member of USC's class. The 6'5", 240-pound linebacker will return to USC this weekend, per Barton Simmons of 247Sports.
Gustin, a 4-star Utah product, also visited campus last week. He ranks among the Trojans' top uncommitted defensive targets and would complement USC commit Cameron Smith well in the linebacker corps.
The Salem Hills High School standout was named a finalist for U.S. Army All-American Player of the Year earlier this week. He is the state leader with 152 tackles, adding 10.5 sacks and two interceptions, per MaxPreps.
Gustin also stars at quarterback, where he's compiled nearly 4,000 total yards and 32 touchdowns this season.
Friday, Dec. 5
USC is one of just five teams still under consideration for coveted tight end Chris Clark. The Connecticut playmaker confirmed his finalists on Twitter earlier this week:
"So it doesn't get hectic wanna make it public only interested in 5 schools Michigan Unc Usc Ucla Texas
— Chris Clark (@Clark8Chris) December 3, 2014"
The Trojans are competing with UCLA, Texas, UNC and Michigan for the U.S. Army All-American selection. Clark decommitted from the Wolverines when Brady Hoke was fired but has left the door open for reconciliation.
Clark rates second nationally among tight ends in 247Sports' composite rankings. The 6'6", 247-pound prospect displays extremely reliable hands and is already developed as a college-ready blocker.
Prior to his Michigan pledge, Clark was briefly committed to North Carolina.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
