USC Football Recruiting: 5-Star Defensive End Greg Townsend Picks the Trojans

Greg Townsend Jr. announced he will attend USC during halftime of the Under Armour All-America Game in St. Petersburg, Fla.  Scout ranks Townsend as a 5-star prospect, Rivals as a 4-star.

He is the son of former Oakland Raiders defensive end with the same name and selected USC over TCU, his father’s alma mater.

USC is restocking the defensive line after Jurrell Casey declared early for the NFL.  The offensive line and linebacker are other key areas.

He is the 23rd prospect to commit to USC, and nine are mid-year enrollees who already have signed letters of intent or financial aid agreements and don’t count toward 2011 scholarship limitations.

USCFootball.com reported the following additional information about Townsend today.

Townsend said, “It was a tough decision, but I felt pretty comfortable with USC for a while.  I needed to take my time and look around some.  I love the coaching staff at USC.”

Townsend is expected to push for immediate playing time as a strong-side defensive end in the Trojans 4-3 scheme.  He is 6'3" and 265 pounds who dominated both the USC and Nike camps as a senior.  He expects to make an impact pass rushing immediately.

USC has done very well recruiting in Los Angeles this year.  Townsend is friends with fellow commits Antwaun Woods, De'Anthony Thomas, Marcus Martin, George Farmer and Victor Blackwell.

Townsend said, "We're all tight and I think we all want the same thing.  We all want to see USC back on top.  I think we can get them there.  This recruiting class is going to be strong and it will get stronger."

In spite of the NCAA sanctions, the USC recruits do not care because the bowl ban is one more year if the appeal is not upheld.

"Playing for a championship close to home for a great academic school was a bigger deal,” said Townsend.  “The coaches, the tradition and I'm conformable there.  I'm at USC all of the time.  My orthodontist is there at USC, so I'm there even when it's not for football.  I live closer to SC than I do Beverly Hills."

Things are starting to look real good for the Trojans especially if several top offensive line recruits commit soon.