The Biggest Takeaways from USC Recruits Performances at 'The Opening'

BEAVERTON, Ore. — Fans of the USC Trojans will look at The Opening as a great week from a recruiting standpoint. The Trojans added two commits to its budding 2016 class and moved up five spots to No. 5 in the latest 247Sports football recruiting team rankings.

The Opening, however, was more about future teammates bonding than anything else. Here are some of the takeaways involving USC commits and targets.

New commits fill needs on offense, defense

The newest Trojan commits, 4-star receiver Trevon Sidney and 4-star safety C.J. Pollard, are more important than just another two additions to the 2016 class.

Pollard is not only USC's first safety pledge of the class but also USC's first defensive back commit. At 6'1" and 180 pounds, he's big and physical enough to play safety, but he also is quick and savvy enough to play cornerback if necessary.

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"I'm going to play safety, but I'm down to play whatever position they put me," he told Bleacher Report. "I'm even down to play nickel."

Sidney's commitment meant USC scored its highest-ranked offensive pledge. He is the nation's No. 11 receiver and the No. 84 player overall.

"Since I'm a receiver, I want to build up on our receiving corps," Josh Imatorbhebhe said. "[Sidney] is going to definitely help us."

No quit in the future Trojans

Team Lunarbeast won the seven-on-seven national championship. Several USC-bound teammates were a part of the squad.

Lunarbeast lost its first four games but took advantage of a double-elimination, bracket-play format to not only turn things around but ultimately win the title. Linebacker Daelin Hayes said some called the turnaround "a Cinderella story."

He then suggested foreshadowing.

"Hopefully, this is nothing more than a preview of SC," he said.

In other words, Hayes is suggesting there is no quit in him or his teammates—a characteristic that could get them far with Steve Sarkisian and the USC coaching staff.

Martin selling the USC product

Offensive tackle Frank Martin II tries to keep in touch with as many USC commits as possible. He also tries to sway as many USC targets as possible.

It's because of this that he has an inside track on a lot of athletes. When Pollard and Sidney committed on Thursday and Friday, respectively, he admitted that he had an idea of which school they would choose.

Martin said one of his jobs as a USC commit is to sell the program. He feels it's something he does well.

"If you want to play with the best and be with the best, come to SC," Martin said. "If you're not afraid of competition, come with us."

Martin added that he has two players in particular who he'd love to call college teammates in 2016.

"I would love to see [wide receiver] Tyler Vaughns commit," he said. "I'd also like to see [LSU defensive end commit] Erick Fowler flip."

Imatorbhebhe: 'Iron sharpens iron'

Wide receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe took several valuable lessons from The Opening. The one he appreciated most involved the level of play that must be needed to compete against players equally talented or better.

"They say iron sharpens iron. We all got better," Imatorbhebhe said. "We're here as the best playing against the best. A lot of this, I feel like I can take with me to my high school."

Imatorbhebhe committed on May 18, via Bleacher Report. He left The Opening as one of the athletes many talked about. Imatorbhebhe participated in the Nike Football Rating Championships, and his incredible vertical jump of 47.1 inches was a topic of discussion.

The Opening: Bonding time

Several USC pledges called The Opening experience "bonding time." A few commits hadn't met each other, so the trip to Oregon was the perfect opportunity to get to know athletes they would ultimately see on a regular basis.

"To come out and ball with my future teammates was great," 4-star all-purpose back Melquise Stovall said. "I never had the chance to spend time with some of the guys; I really got to know them. It was a great experience to see everyone click and really see the future."

Hayes and Imatorbhebhe were roommates at The Opening. With Hayes from Michigan and Imatorbhebhe from Georgia, the opportunities to get to meet each other are few.

The week proved to be more than seven-on-seven football and skills training.

"I didn't know him personally at first," Hayes said of Imatorbhebhe, "but I had a chance to get to spend a few days with him, and we meshed. And seeing how we meshed on the same team, it was just a great opportunity."

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles