USC National Signing Day 2016: 5 Takeaways from Trojans' Class

Talk about a surprise showing from a football program many thought had fallen significantly behind its inter-city rival. On a day where only the unbelievable can happen, new head coach Clay Helton and USC proved beginner's luck may, in fact, be a thing. 

The Trojans secured a plethora of signees, many of them surprises, as a formerly mediocre class blossomed into a nationally renowned powerhouse. The once downed program, anchored by poor coaching hires and some off-the-field issues with former players, seems to have finally cut ties and pulled away. 

With the unofficial holiday all but over, we examine a few takeaways from USC's incredible finish to the 2015-16 recruiting cycle and try to put it in perspective for the program's future success.

Early Enrollees Remain Benchmark

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Highlighted by 5-star pass rusher Oluwole Betiku, the "already-Trojans" of this 2016 class continue to hold sway over the signed-and-sealed commits of February's National Signing Day, from a notoriety standpoint at least. The six early enrollees each bring something to the table, particularly Betiku and the pair of high-flying wideouts Michael Pittman and Josh Imatorbhebhe. 

In terms of instant-impact, have no doubt Betiku will be receiving multiple nervous glances next fall from a handful of Pac-12 signal-callers. Meanwhile, the physicality and pure size of Pittman and Imatorbhebhe have a plethora of uses in the Trojans offense, whether it be blocking downfield or catching passes over the middle. 

The remaining three recruits are unlikely to see starting roles in their first year on campus but hold promise for future insertion in both the offense and defense. C.J. Pollard, a 4-star safety, certainly has the potential to find himself in special packages, such as nickel or dime formations.

Offensive tackle Nathan Smith has the vertical frame to emerge as an elite lineman, coming in at a solid 6'7", but not the bulk to back it at a somewhat meagre 264 pounds. Finally, 3-star dual quarterback Matt Fink gives USC some much-needed depth at signal-caller, and who knows...not many remember, but future Heisman winner Johnny Manziel entered the collegiate ranks as a 3-star prospect as well.

Late Flips Steal the Show

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Talk about a Trojan Horse...in a manner of speaking, of course. After entering national signing day with a borderline mediocre 13-man class, head coach Clay Helton and his staff hunted down and secured an impressive seven prospects for the program. Of those seven, one was a 5-star, four were 4-star and the remaining two were high-end 3-star recruits. 

Considering all seven pickups, it's difficult to determine which one is most worthy of praise: the flip of the star Miami athlete Jamel Cook, the addition of the 5-star cornerback Jack Jones, the signing of the giant offensive tackle E.J. Price? All strike a resounding note on the national scene, giving USC a flutter of its old self in the eyes of both the public and its rival elite programs. 

No doubt many of national signing day's steals and pickups for the Trojans will result in possible first-year starters, and possibly even impact players, right out the gate.

Quality over Quantity

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Considering the Trojans' coaching issues of late, mixed with some mediocre—by USC standards—on-the-field play, the somewhat-small class size comes as no surprise from an outside perspective. However, all the aforementioned concerns aside, this 20-man group packs one heck of a punch. 

The top defensive end in the nation, combined with a flurry of elite-tier wide receivers and a few scattered high-end linemen and skill players, makes for a solid class. Even with the depleted numbers, USC still manages to clock in a respectable national ranking (No. 8) and the top class in the conference, leapfrogging both UCLA and Stanford during signing day. 

The late flips and pickups sealed the excellent day for the Trojans, as Coach Helton was able to add another 5-star prospect and multiple 4-stars as well. The boost rocketed the formerly 13-man class to 20, and the national ranking tagged along for the ride.

The Re-Established USC Presence

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Let's try not to overdramatize the brilliant display of recruiting prowess USC showed off during national signing day...but let's anyway because, hey, it's Hollywood. What could go wrong? 

First off, it must be noted that the Trojans were in seemingly dire straits entering the day, ranked in the mid-20s and hoping to add a few guys to their meagre class. Instead, USC explodes on the one offseason day where the entire college football landscape is watching, snaring seven high-tier prospects in a single, sweeping move. 

So, simply, the buzz is back. Re-establishment may overplay the Trojans' hand just a bit, but considering the impact these players can have on the program as a whole, not to mention the exposure and positive press their pledges have on a new coaching staff, there is no doubt USC is on the rise.

Look to the Air

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Unshockingly, the West Coast offense continues to flourish on—you guessed it—the West Coast. The Trojans prove no different, but some serious credit should drift head coach Clay Helton's way after reeling in one of the top wideout classes in recent memory. 

With early enrollees Michael Pittman and Josh Imatorbhebhe combined with national signing day's confirmed Tyler Vaughns and Trevon Sidney, USC is set at wide receiver for the next few seasons. None of these four athletes fall below a 4-star qualification, with two—Pittman and Vaughns—bordering on the 5-star classification. 

Expect the Trojans to air the ball out under Helton, especially with these caliber wideouts down the field to finish the connection.

Recruit rankings and info courtesy of 247Sports.