Laying the Foundation: USC Football Recruiting (Five-Star Update)

My first two USC recruiting articles in 2010 featured the five-star (as rated by Scout.com) prep football players that the Trojans had offered scholarships to.

Since then, I have provided information on these players as it became available.

Some of this news was big for Trojan fans, such as the verbal pledge of five-star corner back/running back DeAnthony Thomas to USC, and some was disappointing.

Now, some five months after listing these "pick of the litter" athletes, it is time to revisit their availablity status and see where the Trojans fit into these highly regarded players plans.

For those who follow the Trojans, this updated list is intended to either temper expectations for certain players who are unlikely to sign with the Trojans while placing increased exposure on those who USC has a real shot at.

Some players, such as Braxton Miller, the mega-quarterback recruit out of Ohio, will announce his verbal pledge soon, in fact, Miller will call a press conference Thursday or Friday expressly for that purpose.

Sorry Trojan fans, Braxton Miller is not expected to name the Trojans as his choice.

These players will basically fall into three categories, that being:

Players who have no leader at this point and are considering all offers.

Players that have listed USC as among their leaders.

Players that have listed other programs as their leaders, basically relegating the Trojans as "also rans."

As of today, here is the status of those five-star players, as rated by Scout.com, in terms of their interest in USC:

Isaiah Crowell

This highly coveted running back from Georgia appears to have his mind set on staying on the other side of the coast. Georgia, Alabama, Florida State and Clemson are the leaders for his services.

Jermauria Rasco

The number two ranked defensive end in the nation also appears to be a longshot for the Trojans. Rasco lists LSU, Alabama and Texas as his favorites.

James Wilder

A bit of good news for Trojan fans. Wilder, who is listed as Scout.com's #1 outside linebacker, still has USC among his top five along with Florida, Miami, Georgia and Alabama.

James Wilder, who, like his father, also is a running back (and a very good one) hails from Tampa, Florida, so coming out to the west coast might be a less of a possibility than staying local but at least he is still mulling it over.

Kasen Williams

Although this extremely talented wide receiver from Sammamish, WA., lists the Trojans among his favorites, along with Washington, Cal, Oregon and Florida, chances are he will sign elsewhere.

Primarily, this is due to the abundance of players USC already either has or will have at the position.

Factor in another five-star wide receiver who appears headed to the Trojans and it doesn't take much imagination to see Williams signing with someone besides USC.

Cyrus Kouandjio

USC would love to sign this big and athletic offensive tackle from Maryland but so would everyone else. The good news is that Kouandijo hasn't eliminated the Trojans from his leader list. The bad news is that he hasn't included them either.

In fact, Cyrus Kouandjio has no leaders and all of his scholarship offers will be considered.

Tim Jernigan

Scout.com's #1 rated defensive tackle is another player that the Trojans covet, but, as is the case with all of these players profiled, so does everyone else.

Like Kouandijo, Jernigan has named no leaders for his services and the Lake City, Fl. native will consider all offers.

George Farmer

The outstanding wide receiver from Gardena, Ca. is the player I alluded to in the Kasen Williams profile.

Farmer, who has long been considered a heavy Trojan "lean," has yet to make a verbal pledge but lists USC as "high" on his interest list.

A word of caution though.

Despite Farmer's affinity for the Trojans, USC is stocked with players at his position with more coming in both this year and next (Victor Blackwell and Jordan Payton) so the possibility exists that Farmer might resist being caught in a numbers game and go elsewhere.

Doran Grant

This multi-talented cornerback from Akron, Ohio will be tough to wrest away from Ohio State, who always seems to get in-state recruits. Having said that though, Grant lists no favorites says he will consider all offers.

If the Trojans get Grant, it will be a surprise though.

Sammy Watkins

Because of the position he plays (wide receiver) and the Trojans stockpile of great players at the position, the possibility of USC signing this talented player from Fort Meyers, Fl. is remote at best.

Look for Watkins to go to Florida who he lists as his favorite.

Villami Moala

Moala, who Scout.com recently elevated from a four-star to a five-star recruit, has Trojan ties (his cousin Fili, starred for the Trojans) but "Tiny" as Vaillami is called for his 6'3," 340 lb. stature, also hails from Sacramento, Ca. and professes much love as well for the Cal Bears.

Look for these two (USC & Cal), to fight it out for the big man's services.

Mike Bellamy

Another running back the Trojans would love to sign.

Bellamy, who has clocked a blazing 4.31 forty, hails from Florida so USC will have a lot of that states competition for his services.

At this point, Mike Bellamy lists no favorites so technically the Trojans are still in the hunt but realistically, signing Bellamy may be a longshot.

That's it. These are Scout.com's list of five-star players that the Trojans have offered.

If USC can sign a couple of these guys, say Moala and Farmer, to go along with DeAnthony Thomas, they will have the nucleus of a great recruiting class.

However, it should be noted that these rating are fluid and as the prep football season unfolds, some four-star and even a couple three-star players will join the ranks of the best that Scout.com rates.

What is not in question though, is that USC has a great recruiting staff and Trojan fans can rest easy knowing that they will secure the best prep talent available to ensure USC fans of smiles for years to come.