USC Football: Stars Aligning for Trojans to Return as National Power in 2015

Last weekend, the stars aligned in USC football's ongoing mission to make the 2015 season one to remember—12 stars, to be exact.

That's the combined star rating of newly added commits Ykili Ross, Ronald Jones II and Marvell Tell, all of whom are 4-star prospects per 247Sports.

The trio of verbal pledges gives Trojans head coach Steve Sarkisian 20 recruits for national signing day 2015, the most any USC class has had in four years. It's no coincidence that USC is also primed for its highest finish in the national recruiting rankings since 2011, when the Trojans were No. 3. 

This upcoming class has the potential to match last year's new wave of freshmen, which played a huge part in USC's nine-win season.

Like last year's class, Sarkisian and his staff are addressing several areas in the lineup that have holes. In 2014, it was offensive line: Damien Mama, Viane Talamaivao and Toa Lobendahn were all vital to the unit's success. 

This year, the secondary gets needed reinforcements.

Tell—the nation's No. 4-ranked safety—joins 4-star Isaiah Langley and 3-star Taeon Mason, both of whom are cornerbacks.

Pass defense was one of the Trojans' greatest deficiencies in 2014. They surrendered 274.5 yards per game to rank No. 118 in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Certainly having more options to rotate with the young, returning corps of Adoree' Jackson, John Plattenburg, Chris Hawkins, Kevon Seymour and Leon McQuay III is a major plus for defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox. 

And Wilcox could have another first-year option in Ross. A two-way prospect in the same vein as 2014 breakout star Jackson, Ross' role in preseason workouts will be one storyline to follow. 

So, too, will be the development of USC's backfield. 

Running back looked to be one of the Trojans' deepest positions heading into 2014, but the loss of Ty Isaac to transfer and Tre Madden to injury left Javorius "Buck" Allen and Justin Davis as the unit's sole scholarship players.

Davis is back for 2015, but Allen's future is up in the air.

Allen said following the Holiday Bowl on Dec. 27 he will weigh his decision on the NFL draft after talking it over with family and evaluating his academic standing.

Madden's return from injury with Jones' arrival promises a deeper backfield in 2015, whether Allen stays or goes. That's a huge boon for returning quarterback Cody Kessler.

As attrition wore down the workhorse Allen come November, USC's rushing production dipped. More ball-carrying options in the Trojans' hurry-up offensive scheme means a more diverse attack.

USC was at its most potent when it effectively attacked both with the run and pass, as evidenced in a 45-point, 515-yard output in the Holiday Bowl.  The Trojans rushed for nearly 200 yards that night, while Kessler threw for 321.

That night started a process for what USC could be in 2015. Kessler's announcement that he is returning put the first star in place, and the big recruiting haul to follow was next.

USC's stars are building a constellation that looks an awful lot like championship material.

Statistics courtesy of CFBstats.com. Recruiting rankings and information via 247Sports.