USC Recruiting: News, Notes and Tidbits before Week 1

As the Trojans gear up for their opener this week at Hawaii, the news on the recruiting front has slowed to almost a crawl.

However, while the Trojans have extended only one conditional offer, there is news to report but none of it is good for USC fans.

For example, Donovan Clark, four-star (as rated by Scout.com) offensive lineman from Cincinnati, Ohio, has given his verbal pledge to Michigan State.

Clark, who goes 6'4" and 300 pounds, would have filled an area of need for the Trojans, who will now look elsewhere for that units help.

Meanwhile, another big offensive lineman/defensive end, Stephen Nembot, who is a local product from Van Nuys, CA, went on record as saying he covets an offer from LSU, because Nembot, who is French, is enamored with LSU's French programs.

Nembot, whose 6'7" frame is ready made to pack on more than the 260 pounds he now carries, holds several other offers besides USC.

Although the offensive line is certainly in need of help, it isn't the only unit that is being focused on by the recruiting brain trust at USC.

Linebacker is a position of need for USC and a prep player high on their list has just indicated that he won't be coming west to play for the Trojans.

Anthony Wallace, a 6'2" 225 pound monster from Dallas, Texas has cut his list of offers he is interested in to five and the Trojans aren't on it.

Instead, Scout.com reports that Wallace will make his decision from a dance card that includes Miami, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Arkansas and Oregon.

On a positive note, Dan Greenspan of SCPlaybook.com reports that Charles Burks, a 6'1" 230 pound defensive end from Edison high school in Huntington Beach, CA, has received a conditional offer from the Trojans.

Needing to get recruits enrolled early to circumvent the NCAA's mandated reduction of scholarships, the offer requires that Burks enrolls early at USC.

Burks, who impressed the Trojans while camping with them, was noncommittal regarding the offer but has Stanford high on his list and they have already offered.

Finally, the Trojans may be on the verge of offering the most highly sought JC wide receiver in the country.

Anthony Denham, 6'6" 215 pound wideout from East Los Angeles, reports via Scout.com that the Trojans "are really interested in me," and he expects an offer soon.

Of course, USC is stocked with wide receivers so don't expect Denham to accept even if the offer is extended.

Now that the high school football season is on the cusp of beginning, expect recruiting to pick up soon for the Trojans.

Of course, with limited scholarships to offer, the Trojans will have to be selective in who they take but that doesn't mean they will be stingy with the offers.

In the meantime, USC will have their minds on the Rainbow Warriors in Hawaii...