USC Football Recruiting: Stretch Drive Prompts Flurry of Trojan Offers

As national letter of intent signing day draws near, activity in USC's recruiting department remains in high gear.

Not content to sit on the bevy of offers already made, head coach Lane Kiffin and recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron continue to search far and wide for talented prep players to fill gaps as the Trojans move forward into 2011.

Among these players to be recently offered include a linebacker the Trojans would dearly love to land to help their depleted unit, and a quick and elusive running back who has the Trojans high on his list.

Most, if not all, of these players will likely wait until signing day to deliver their decision, but in the meantime, let's take a look at this likely last round of possible Trojans:

The last linebacker to come west from New Jersey to play for the Trojans was Brian Cushing. Now USC has offered Anthony Sarao, a 4-star (as rated by Scout.com) middle 'backer from Holy Spirit High School in Absecon.

At 6'1", 220 pounds, Sarao is tough and has an uncanny knack for finding ball carriers.

However, Sarao is a soft commit to Stanford, but take heart, Trojan fans. With Jim Harbaugh's recent resignation, Sarao has reopened his recruiting and will make a visit to USC in about a week.

Maybe the Trojans can steal one from their northern nemesis.

While Anthony Sarao may be a long shot to don the cardinal and gold, there is a talented running back from Homewood, Alabama, who has the Trojans squarely in his sights.

Ameer Abdulah, a 5'9", 170-lb. running back who is rated a 3-star prospect, combines ultra quickness with great field vision to create nightmares for opposing defenses.

Abdulah, who rushed for over a 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior, has the Trojans rated "high" in terms of his interest and will make a visit to USC later this month.

Along with USC, Abdulah also has Nebraska rated high, but as of now, the Cornhuskers have yet to make him an offer.

Meanwhile, the Trojans have also offered a very talented and versatile defensive end/offensive tackle from McKeesport, PA.

Though raw, Delvin Simmons, who goes 6'5", 262 lbs, has an abundance of athleticism and a motor that never stops.

Rated a 4-star prospect by Scout.com, Simmons has the talent to play on either side of the ball and wherever he winds up, expect him to make an impact.

Simmons has the Trojans rated "medium" in terms of his interest, and USC joins Florida, Iowa, Oregon, Miami and others for his services.

Finally, USC has offered a talented cornerback from Fort Meyers in Florida.

Although only rated a 3-star prospect, Dallas Crawford has the skills to become a dominant corner at the next level.

Part of the reason Crawford isn't rated higher is because he also focused on the quarterback position in high school. Now at the next level, with undivided attention, Crawford can utilize his athleticism covering receivers.

USC joins a bevy of other high-profile programs such as LSU and Miami vying for his services, but only Miami and USC have received a promise of a visit.

Okay, that's it for now and perhaps these four prep players will represent the last of the Trojan offers for 2010 recruits.

Of course, it should be assumed that Lane Kiffin and company will not rest on the laurels of what is shaping up to be a fine recruiting class.

And if that is the case, there may be offers all the way up to LOI signing day. After all, Kiffin promised there would be no repeat of the disappointing 2010 season.

Only time will tell, but if there is, it won't be because of a lack of effort in the recruiting department.