USC Football Recruiting: Trojans Continue To Look to the Future

Although Lane Kiffin will surely be kept busy trying to solve the riddle of what continues to be a porous defense, Trojan recruiting plods along at a snails pace.

With few certain scholarships to offer in 2010, and prospects for the NCAA to add more suspect at best, USC has begun to look beyond this year to shore up units that were either depleted by defections or were thin to begin with.

Not surprisingly, linebacker and offensive line have been the focus of recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron who recently offered a couple of "Big Uglies" from the class of 2012.

One of these budding young prep stars, while not necessarily ugly, surely qualifies as big.

Zach Banner, 6'9", yes, you read that right, 295 lb. junior O-lineman from Lakes high school in Lakeland, WA., was recently offered by the Trojans, who join at least eight other programs who have verbally offered Banner, including Notre Dame.

Banner, who displays surprising athleticism despite his massive size, is drawing interest from all of the major programs and USC will be in a dogfight to land him.

At the moment, the Trojans are listed as "medium" in terms of of Banner's interest, as are all other of his offers.

Joining Banner as a 2012 recipient of a USC verbal offer is 6'6", 280 lb.offensive lineman, Andrus Peat from Tempe, AZ.

Peat, who is already fundamentally sound despite his young age, has received over 14 offers from various schools including Clemson and Miami (FL.).

All of Peat's potential suitors are listed as medium on his dance card.

While the 2012 prospects represent the extent of recent Trojan offers, there is other news to report and it involves this year's recruits.

Maurice Couch, the mammoth JUCO defensive tackle form Garden City, KS., has identified the Trojans as one of the two he has at the top of his list.

Couch, who is one of the most highly sought JC defensive players in the nation, also has made plans to visit USC for an official visit.

Also, there is talk of Lamar Dawson, the 6'2", 230 lb. middle linebacker from KY, scheduling a visit with the Trojans as well, but nothing has officially been set.

Finally, according to Scout.com, both defensive tackle Antwaun Woods and wide receiver George Farmer remain solid Trojan "leans."

Both Farmer and Woods are being sought by most, if not all, of the major programs in the country.

That's about it for this week.

With the start of the season, recruiting has taken a back seat for the Trojans.

Actually, it has been slow for the last couple of months anyway, and after Thursday nights showing against the Warriors, things don't appear to be heating up in the near future recruiting-wise.

After all, Kiffin has plenty to do already trying to find his defense.

Maybe Woods and Couch can do something about that next year...