USC Trojan Football Recruiting: A Quick Headstart on 2012, Including New Offers

With the wrappings only recently removed from the Trojans incoming recruiting class of 2011, is it too early to start paying attention to the upcoming class of 2012?

As head coach Lane Kiffin would say quietly and recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron would certainly bellow, the answer is a resounding "NO!"

The type of effort by Kiffin and Orgeron that delivered this year's remarkable class will be reenacted for the class of 2012, perhaps with even more vigor and scrutiny due to the anticipated NCAA scholarship limitations imposed by last year's sanctions.

Already, the Trojans are in possession of four verbal commitments for the upcoming year, including those of Arik Armstead, a 5-star (as rated by Scout.com) offensive lineman, and Jordan Payton, a 4-star wide receiver.

While Kiffin, Orgeron and the USC staff were putting the finishing touches on this year's recruiting haul, they were also busy looking to the future, and the following is where Trojan offers stand at the present:

Kwon Alexander

Rated a 5-star linebacker prospect by Scout.com, Alexander, who hails from Oxford, Alabama, has everything you look for in an outside linebacker. Athletic and with a body (6'2", 210 lbs) that will easily put on weight, Alexander may wind up the most-coveted prep player at his position.

Alexander already holds offers from almost all of the major programs in the country and lists them all as "medium" in terms of his interest.

Vadal Alexander

Simply put, Vadal Alexander (no relation to Kwon), is a beast on the offensive line. At 6'5", 329 lbs, it is no secret that this man-child has all the tools to become a dominant force at the next level.

Rated a 4-star prospect, Alexander, who calls Buford, Georgia home, is tremendously explosive, especially in run-blocking schemes. With added tutelage in pass blocking, there is little doubt that Alexander has the potential to be one of the best at his position in this class.

Holding offers from almost all of the major programs in the nation, Alexander lists them all as "medium" interest-wise.

Tee Shepard

This 4-star prospect at the cornerback position is extremely athletic which balances out his rather ordinary measurables. Though possessing good height (6'0"), he is not particularly big (172 lbs), nor is he exceptionally fast (4.5 40). Nonetheless, Shepard is coveted by many and holds offers from over a dozen programs.

At this point, Shepard lists three as his favorites, those being Notre Dame, Oregon and Arizona, although he is lukewarm on those three, listing them all as "medium" on his dance card.

D.J. Foster

Arizona has been a fertile recruiting ground for the Trojans in recent years, and there you will find a nice running back out of powerhouse Scottsdale Saguaro high school. While D.J. Foster doesn't possess any attributes that, by themselves, will knock you out, he just does so many things well.

As a junior last year, Foster ran for over 1,400 yards and 22 touchdowns, and when he wasn't running with authority, he was catching 43 passes and another four touchdowns. Oh, and for good measure he had seven interceptions on defense.

Foster has been offered by most of the Pac-12, Notre Dame and Arkansas and has them all rated as medium.

Dillon Lee

Though only rated a 3-star prospect by Scout.com, Dillon Lee has all the intangibles to be very successful at the next level. A big hitter whose size (6'3.5", 220 lbs) helps him pack his wallop, Lee only needs to refine his pass coverage skills to be a complete 'backer.

Also hailing from Buford, Georgia, Lee holds offers from all of the national powers and has them rated all about even in terms of his interest.

This list only includes those prep players who have been recently offered by the Trojans, but there are others on the cusp of receiving offers, and those will be profiled when the Trojans pull the trigger.

In the meantime, rest assured that the USC recruiting department will scour all possibilities to make whatever the evil NCAA gives them most effective.

And if they do half the job they did in bringing quality recruits this year, USC will be just fine...