USC Football: Players to Watch in High School All-American Games

The coming weekend’s high school All-American games begin the quick transition from the 2014 season to 2015 for USC football.

The Trojans have verbally committed prospects participating in both the Under Armour All-America Game, which kicks off on Friday at 4 p.m. ET in St. Petersburg, Florida, as well as in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday.

Some of the top-rated prospects head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff are looking to add to USC’s No. 8 nationally ranked signing class will also be in action this weekend. Expect a few of these targets to become Trojans on national signing day in February.

Jacob Daniel, 4-Star Defensive Tackle

Credit: 247Sports

Jacob Daniel

Playing In: U.S. Army All-American Bowl; Saturday, Jan. 3, 1 p.m. ET on NBC

From: Clovis North (Clovis, California)

Status: Committed on May 13

Jacob Daniel is one of the biggest pieces in USC’s 2015 recruiting class, both literally and figuratively. The 6’4”, 310-pound defensive tackle committed in the spring and has remained steadfast in his pledge to the Trojans.

In Daniel, USC is getting a player with the physical attributes necessary to make an immediate splash on the defensive line. To go with his size, 247Sports touts the 4-star Daniel's explosion and first step at the point of attack.   

Solidifying the pipeline between USC and the Central Valley is important for Sarkisian and his staff. This talent-rich region has become a key target for such recruiting-trail competitors as Arizona and Oklahoma.

Sam Darnold, 4-Star Quarterback

Credit: 247Sports

Sam Darnold

Playing In: U.S. Army All-American Bowl; Saturday, Jan. 3, 1 p.m. ET on NBC

From: San Clemente (San Clemente, California)

Status: Committed on July 16 

Much of the attention in the 2015 recruiting class is paid to 5-star Ricky Town, as it pertains to quarterbacks. But 4-star prospect Sam Darnold might be the more intriguing player in Saturday’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Darnold is a dual-threat quarterback whose style is indicative of the evolving offensive philosophy Sarkisian introduced in his first year at the helm. As USC becomes more invested in an uptempo style of play, a capable scrambler should be of growing value in the Trojans offense. 

247Sports’ Barton Simmons includes Darnold in his list of potential “risers” in this weekend’s All-America games, adding that Darnold “may be the most complete prospect of all of them.”

John Houston, 5-Star Linebacker

Playing In: Under Armour All-America Game; Friday, Jan. 2, 4 p.m. ET on ESPN

From: Junipero Serra (Gardena, California)  

Status: Uncommitted  

Expect to hear John Houston’s name a lot during Friday’s Under Armour All-America Game. The highest-rated uncommitted linebacker remaining is certainly one of the most active players on the prep scene.

This season for Serra, Houston recorded a whopping 147 tackles, per MaxPreps. That sideline-to-sideline style of ball pursuit would fit nicely in USC defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox’s scheme, and it should also produce some highlight-reel plays on Friday.

Iman Marshall, 5-Star Cornerback

Playing In: Under Armour All-America Game; Friday, Jan. 2, 4 p.m. ET on ESPN

From: Long Beach Poly (Long Beach, California)

Status: Uncommitted

In Iman Marshall, USC could strike 5-star recruiting riches from the same local pipeline that produced standout wide receiver John "JuJu" Smith a year ago.

Marshall is an all-around athlete in the same vein as Smith and fellow 2014 star recruit Adoree’ Jackson, able to contribute with any unit.

While he’ll almost assuredly spend the bulk of Friday’s Under Armour All-America Game at cornerback, it will be interesting to see if he gets reps at wide receiver. Marshall caught eight touchdown passes for Long Beach Poly this season, via MaxPreps, after all.

Tyler Petite, 4-Star Tight End

Credit: 247Sports

Tyler Petite

Playing In: Under Armour All-America Game; Friday, Jan. 2, 4 p.m. ET on ESPN

From: Campolindo (Moraga, California)

Status: Committed on Dec. 12

Of USC's 2015 commits, tight end Tyler Petite might have the best opportunity to play immediately. 

The Trojans had just two scholarship tight ends on the 2014 roster: One was 2014 signee Bryce Dixon, and the other, outgoing senior Randall Telfer. 

With Telfer’s departure, the Trojans have a huge void at tight end that Petite can fill. Friday’s Under Armour All-America Game should give USC fans some insight as to just how ready this new addition to the 2015 signing class is to contribute to the Trojans offense next season.

Ricky Town, 5-Star Quarterback

Playing In: U.S. Army All-American Bowl; Saturday, Jan. 3, 1 p.m. ET on NBC

From: St. Bonaventure (Thousand Oaks, California)

Status: Committed on Jan. 25

Arguably the most highly anticipated commit in USC’s 2015 signing class is quarterback Ricky Town. The former Alabama pledge reversed course and became a Trojan in January, and he remained committed to USC throughout his senior year at St. Bonaventure High School.

Town is the prototypical USC quarterback recruit. He plays a more traditional, dropback style, and he hails from Southern California, much like Trojans predecessors Matt Barkley, Matt Leinart and Carson Palmer.

He’ll have an opportunity on Saturday to show if that’s where the similarities to past USC greats ends, or if it’s just the beginning of such comparisons.

Recruiting rankings and information courtesy of 247Sports.