USC Football Recruiting: The Top 15 USC Recruiting Targets Still Available

USC isn't putting together as strong of a recruiting class as it normally does. But that has a lot to do with the sanctions that have limited the availability of scholarships, as well as the chance to compete in the postseason.

Still, the Trojans have some solid talent on the books, headlined by five-star athlete De'Anthony Thomas—a native of Crenshaw, Calif. who has the potential to be a star on either side of the ball. 

Of course USC would like to continue to add to its commitment list. And with plenty of time until National Signing Day, there are plenty of chances to move up the recruiting rankings.

Here's the breakdown of the Trojans' top 15 targets still available. 

15. Brennan Scarlett, DE

Scarlett has the size of a defensive end, but the speed and athleticism of an outside linebacker. He would be a great fit on the edge of a 3-4 scheme. 

He has great instincts, he is strong at the point of attack and he does a great job in pursuit. But, right now, he relies on his instincts and athletic ability to make plays, and his technique is raw. 

Scarlett has a long list of suitors and he doesn't appear to be in any hurry to choose from his presumed top choices. They are: California, LSU, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, UCLA and USC. 

14. Lateek Townsend, LB

Townsend is a tackling machine and a playmaker who takes over games and who just makes things happen regardless of the situation. 

Whether he's rushing the passer, dropping back into coverage or setting the edge against the run, Townsend excels. But his technique is raw, and at 6'2" and 207 lbs, he needs to add some bulk to his frame. 

Townsend visited USC last month, but South Carolina is still his leader over Clemson, LSU, Florida and USC. 

13. Cyrus Hobbi, OG

Hobbi is one of the top offensive guards in the country and he has the versatility to play every interior line position. He's athletic, he has great size at 6'3" and 285 lbs and he has a great initial burst. 

Some scouts see him as a center, but based on his ability to pull and reach the second and third level of contact, guard might be better suited for his skill set.

Right now, it's Nebraska way out in front. But Hobbi is still looking at USC among a few others, and there remains an outside shot. 

12. Xzavier Dickson, DE

Dickson is the type of prospect that just explodes into his opponent with a ton of power and quickness. Once he makes contact, Dickson uses his superior speed and athletic ability to get around his man. 

He needs to get stronger and play more disciplined, but the talent is very intriguing. Dickson's body control and change of direction ability are as good as it gets. 

He favors Alabama right now, but he is still considering Auburn, Georgia, Florida, Miami, USC and South Florida.

11. Marqise Lee, S

Lee is considered to be the top safety on the west coast, though he has the potential to line up anywhere in the secondary. 

He plays both safety and cornerback for his high school team, but based on his ability to dish out the big hits and roam freely, he likely has a brighter future in midfield. 

He's considering Oregon, USC, UCLA, Cal and Florida primarily, and while he's already visited the Ducks and Bears and he has a trip set with Florida, USC and UCLA will be competing for one of his remaining official visits. 

10. Lamar Dawson, LB

At 6'3" and 230 lbs, Dawson has ideal size for a middle linebacker. But it's his work ethic, aggressiveness, discipline and speed that really make him an eye-popping talent. 

If he was better against the pass, Dawson would be right up there with the elite linebackers of the 2011 class.

He's got the linebacker mentality that you love to see in a prospect. He'll bulldoze his way through the offense to get to the ball-carrier, he won't give up position or over-pursue and best of all, he will lay his body on the line and allow a teammate to make the play.

Dawson doesn't have a clear leader but he favors Kentucky, Louisville, Florida, USC, Oregon, Tennessee and Michigan. 

9. Ishaq Williams, DE

Ishaq Williams is an athletic freak with the potential to be a superb outside linebacker or strong safety, on top of his skill along the defensive line. 

He's long and rangy, runs a deceptively fast 4.7-second 40-yard dash and he is one of the most intense players you'll ever come across.

Williams has narrowed his list down to five schools, including Alabama, Penn State, Notre Dame, Syracuse and USC. 

8. Jason Gibson, LB

Gibson, like a couple other top 25 linebackers, plays defensive end in high school. But his future looks to be at outside linebacker, where he rates as one of the nation's top prospects. 

Gibson has the size, athleticism, speed and agility to be very successful at the next level. As a pass-rusher, he's a real force on the edge, and if he gets a good burst off the line of scrimmage, there's no blocking him. 

At 6'2" and 210 lbs, he's too small to stay in his role as a pass-rushing end at the next level. But if he can successfully make the transition to linebacker, that might be a blessing in disguise.

Right now, Cal is the leader, followed by Oregon and then USC. 

7. Viliami Moala, DT

The 6'4" and 340 lb defensive tackle is by far the biggest of the elite prospects at his position. Moala can play as a run-stuffing, penetrating defensive tackle or he can clog up the middle with a constant double-team as a nose tackle. 

Even at his size, Moala is very quick off the ball and he can make plays in the backfield and on the edges. That's really the key to his game. He's not just a space eater who is there to take on blockers.

Moala was recently at USC for a visit, and while he's visiting Oregon State next and then will possibly head to Florida or LSU, this is pretty much a two-horse race between USC and Cal. 

6. Anthony Wallace, LB

Wallace is a perfect fit at middle linebacker. He's got prototypical size for the position and a great natural frame. He's a really smart player who can cover both the run and the pass extremely well, but his coverage skills are really what stand out.

Right now his technique is raw, but when he drops back the instincts are incredible. Watching him get free in pursuit is like watching a predator hunt. He zones in on the ball-carrier and just attacks him.

Wallace is one of those players that is always around the ball. Once he gets bigger, he might end up being the best linebacker from the class.

He's already visited Oregon and USC and he plans on taking his remaining official visits with Ohio State, Arkansas and Oklahoma. 

5. Ray Drew, DE

Drew isn't the type of player you need to worry about causing problems off the field. He's a hard worker, a vocal player and a natural leader.

He'll step in from Day 1 and grind it out at 100 percent from the the minute the whistle is blown until the end of the day.

Drew is really an outside shot at the moment, with Florida State, Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Auburn presumed to be at the top of his list. But USC is still in the mix as a possibility as well.

4. Greg Townsend, DE

Townsend has the athleticism and size to play anywhere from linebacker to defensive tackle on the next level. He's got great instincts and strength, but his body control and balance are what stand out the most when you watch him play.

Not many prospects his size are able to maneuver around blockers and contort their body without losing footing or balance. Townsend just squeezes past his opponent and sets himself up to make a play.

Townsend has narrowed his suitors down to USC, Oregon and TCU. While his father played for the Horned Frogs, it looks pretty equal right now. 

3. Doran Grant, CB

Grant is the best cornerback prospect in the country, rated No. 1 by Rivals and No. 2 by Scout.

He's even better than advertised and definitely fits the bill at a generous 5'10" and 175 pounds.

He's lightning-fast, tests off the charts athletically, tackles with a lot of power and has a great nose for the ball.

Ohio State and Michigan are Grant's top two choices, but Michigan State, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Penn State, USC and Cincinnati are still in the running as well. 

2. George Farmer, WR

He has the speed to get past pretty much anyone and the size to ward off stronger defenders without much effort.

Farmer has an ideal combination of skills and natural ability, but he needs to fine tune his game some.

He'll make the spectacular catch, but then he'll drop an easy one. Some scouts question his level of concentration and desire to go all out on every play—that's troubling. If he can improve on his consistency though, Farmer has the goods to be a very special player.

While he's also considering Miami, Florida, Alabama and Oregon, Farmer is as close to a USC lock as they come.  

1. Cyrus Kouandjio, OT

At 6'6", 322 pounds, Kouandjio is one of the most athletic big men in the country.

He has a huge wingspan and, at times, appears to move as swiftly as someone half his size.

When it comes to natural ability as a blocker, Kouandjio has top-end balance and moves his feet as swiftly as any high school player I've ever seen. He does a great job staying low to the ground and using his tree trunk-like arms to manhandle defenders.

Alabama appears to be the leader at the moment due to the fact his older brother plays for the Tide. But Kouandjio admitted in the summer that no one has recruited him harder than USC, and it's clear the Trojans are still in this thing.