USC 2012 Football Recruiting: The Top 5 In-State Recruits That Can't Slip Away

USC has shown that it is not going to let the sanctions handed down by the NCAA hold the Trojans back on the recruiting trail. Lane Kiffin and his staff signed a top-five recruiting class in the 2011 cycle and they are already off to a solid start in 2012.

The Trojans already have four pledges to kick start the 2012 recruiting class, and the talent in California should be like it always is: excellent. There are a wealth of players in-state alone that USC should and will be in on. If you dig deeper, there is a pool of players that are surefire must-gets for the men of Troy.

Here are the top five in-state players that USC absolutely needs in 2012.

5. Freddie Tagaloa, OL

We all know how much and how badly USC needs offensive line depth. Kiffin did a great job hauling some help upfront in 2011 with Aundrey Walker and Cyrus Hobbi among others, but more help is needed.

Tagaloa is a 6'8", 300 pounder who projects to the either right or left tackle. He's got great length and long arms to keep the rush away and off of his body and he works every snap. His wingspan makes rushers bring overnight bags to get around him and he can wash rushers out of the pocket with ease.

He seems to be high on USC, Stanford and Cal at the moment, who have all offered.

4. Byron Marshall, RB

Remember just a short time ago when it seemed like USC had a stable of All-American running backs up and down the depth chart? USC is known as Running Back U for a reason, and a running back in this class wouldn't be a bad thing at all.

Marshall is from the San Jose area in California and topped over 1,600 yards as a junior. The 5'10", 195-pound rock toter hit pay dirt 23 times and he has been timed at 4.5 seconds in the 40.

He has good explosion, evidenced by his 30-inch vertical jump, and the talk is he has better hands than 2011 running back signee Amir Carlisle. Like Carlisle, Marshall can play running back and slot receiver.

USC will look to be in on his services through the 2012 cycle.

3. Shaq Thompson, DB

The Trojans need more depth and young talent on the back end, and Thompson is the top defensive back prospect in the state. The younger brother of former Cal cornerback Syd'Quad Thompson and teammate for Viliami Moala, Shaq also excels as a great running back.

He may be the best two-way player in the state, yet many feel safety is his best college position. At 6'1", 185 pounds, he's a big-time hitter with great instincts and awareness to excel against the pass. He fills alleys in a hurry against the run and he can also play cornerback in a pinch for a secondary.

This race will likely be between Cal and USC.

2. Jordan Simmons, OL

Back to the OL depth USC needs. It is said that after signing a QB every year, a program's focus should always be to sign a few quality offensive linemen every recruiting class. USC will look to do so in 2012.

Simmons is still maturing physically, as he has some excess baby fat. But the 6'5", 330-pound offensive lineman has tremendous athleticism. When I went to see Simmons play in person, he was hurt, unfortunately, but as I stood and spoke with him, it was easy to see he passes the eyeball test.

Simmons has nimble feet, great snap quickness and strength at the point of attack to move targets off marks all night long.

He has offers from Auburn, Florida, Miami, Michigan, USC, UCLA, Notre Dame, Oregon and Washington, among a host of others.

1. Ellis McCarthy, DL

USC will also look to add a defensive tackle in this class, and McCarthy is tops in the state and among the very elite in the country in the 2012 class.

At 6'4", 295 pounds, his frame is at a college level now and his motor is relentless. Usually for defensive tackles, especially big ones, they like to take plays off, but not McCarthy.

He has special strength and explosion off the ball, he is strong on his feet to toss-and-shed blockers around and he can push and collapse the pocket from the middle.

He's a USC lean right now but he does hold offers from Florida, UCLA, Washington, Cal and Arizona.