USC Recruiting: A New Course in Strategy?

Back from my stay in enemy territory, and glad to no longer be surrounded by powder blue and gold...

In my absence, the recruiting braintrust at USC has continued to be more deliberate with the extension of Trojan offers to prospective players.

Since the sanctions were handed down to USC following the NCAA's investigation of the Reggie Bush scandal, the Trojans have been very selective in their scholarship offers, with those being offered slowing down to almost a trickle.

This has not changed over the last three weeks, as evidenced by only two players receiving offers during that time.

However, even as offers come to almost a stand still, there appears to be shift in the strategy which Lane Kiffin and company are employing regarding those who receive scholarship offers.

With scholarships at a premium, it appears that USC is now focusing on players who are the most field-ready, which means the Trojans are looking long and hard at junior college players.

Following several other recent offers to JC players, the Trojans have also recently offered David Garness, a 6'6", 290 pound offensive tackle from Anchorage, Alaska, who now plays for the City College in San Francisco.

Garness, whose athleticism has made him the focus of attention for many major college football programs, was under the radar coming out of high school in Alaska. After playing for a high profile JC, he is now drawing much interest from others, although the Trojans are the first to offer.

The other recipient of a USC scholarship offer is also an offensive lineman.

Cyrus Hobbi, a 6'3", 285-pound offensive guard from Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, Arizona, joins a long list of prospective Trojans, as USC tries to bolster a unit that desperately needs replenishing.

Hobbi, who is rated a four-star prospect by Scout.com, brings good size and athleticism to the position. Although he currently plays at right tackle in high school, he will probably be moved to guard in college because of his height.

Meanwhile, several prospective Trojans have come off the board as they now have committed to other programs.

Austin Sefarian-Jenkins, a five-star tight end (as rated by Scout.com), who once had the Trojans rated as high, now has removed USC from his list of prospective suitors.

Of course, given the Trojans' wealth of young talent at the position, Sefarian-Jenkins probably saw a long wait on the horizon before he would take the field, so he decided to look elsewhere.

Other prospective players who have given verbals to other programs include running back Jameel Poteat (Pittsburgh), offensive linemen Bobby Hart (Florida State), Tyler Johnstone (Oregon), and Angelo Mangiro (Penn State); defensive end Sterling Bailey (Georgia); and outside linebacker Devon Moreland (SMU).

However, not all news is bleak for the Trojans. They recently heard that highly regarded wide receiver DeAnthony Arnett from Michigan, who is rated a four-star by Scout.com, has moved the Trojans to the top of his dance card.

So there you have it.

In a slow period that promises to remain that way for the foreseeable future, the Trojans continue to hold prospective scholarship offers close to the vest.

Will USC continue to focus on the junior college ranks or will they open their offers back up to prep players, who may take longer to groom for the field of play?

Only time will tell, but suffice to say, recruiting for the Trojans has taken on a very different look from recent years.

I guess that will happen when the NCAA takes a large chunk of scholarships from you...