USC Trojans Invading SEC Territory on Recruiting Trail

Part of USC’s quest to regain its footing as a recruiting powerhouse is an effort to expand the Trojans' reach throughout the country.

Judging by the early returns from the 2016 class, it appears as if the Trojans are out to make their mark with top prospects—with a special emphasis placed on stud recruits residing in territories occupied by SEC powers.

On Monday, the Trojans landed 4-star metro-Atlanta-area receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe over the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia and Ohio State, among others.

Imatorbhebhe joins 3-star Alabama wideout Velus Jones as SEC-area products who have committed to the Trojans.

However, if Steve Sarkisian and his staff have their way, this push could be just the beginning of their forays into the Southeast.

Among the current targets from the talent-rich region on the Trojans' radar are a trio of Floridians in 5-star receiver Nate Craig-Myers, 4-star receiver Freddie Swain, 4-star defensive tackle Keyshon Camp and 4-star Louisiana receiver Mykel Jones.

In fact, Camp recently named the Trojans his leader in part because of how aggressive they have been pursuing him, despite the fact that he lives on the other side of the country.

“(USC) makes me feel like I’m one of the top players on their board,” Camp told Bleacher Report. “Being all the way here in Florida, it makes me feel like they want me. I know there are a lot of recruits and players that play like me across the nation, so it means something. For them to come out here and offer me, it makes me feel good about them.”

Craig-Myers recently mentioned USC as one of the schools he’s hoping to visit in the near future in the wake of his decommitment from Auburn.

The fact that the Trojans just had two former prep stars from Florida, receiver Nelson Agholor and defensive lineman Leonard Williams, selected as first-round picks in the NFL draft can’t hurt their efforts in the Sunshine State.

However, USC is also spreading out into territories that haven’t been as familiar in recent years.

Player	Rank	State
DE Marlon Davidson	5-Star	Alabama
LB Lyndell Wilson	5-Star	Alabama
RB Elijah Holyfield	4-Star	Georgia
DE Mykelle McDaniel	3-Star	Georgia
OL E.J. Price	4-Star	Georgia
ATH Demetrius Robertson	4-Star	Georgia
WR Mykel Jones	4-Star	Louisiana
DT Rashard Lawrence	5-Star	Louisiana
QB Shea Patterson	5-Star	Louisiana
WR A.J. Brown	4-Star	Mississippi
CB Nigel Knott	4-Star	Mississippi

Aside from Florida, the Trojans have offered at least two players each from fellow SEC breeding grounds such as Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi.

The Trojans reeled in a big fish out of the Peach State with 5-star Class of 2015 offensive lineman Chuma Edoga and were able to pull Imatorbhebhe despite the fact that his older brother, Daniel, enrolled at SEC power Florida in January.

As noted by Bleacher Report’s Tyler Donohue, Imatorbhebhe picked up his USC offer last month while on a visit to the West Coast during spring break. It immediately resonated with him because of the Trojans history and his immediate bond with receivers coach Tee Martin.

“I enjoyed my time with all the coaches I met during spring break, but Coach Martin was my favorite,” Imatorbhebhe told Donohue. “He broke everything down in detail for me, from what they do in practice to how things happen in games and where I would fit in. Coach Martin trained Sammy Watkins and Calvin Johnson when they were preparing for the NFL combine, so obviously that's pretty big-time.”

Given the momentum surrounding USC’s program, it’s clear that the program is closer to being the recruiting juggernaut they were during Pete Carroll’s tenure in Los Angeles.

Perhaps the best illustration of that logic is the response they are receiving from top prospects all over the country—including those residing in SEC territory.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani