USC Recruiting: Linebacker Jabari Ruffin Commits, Plus More Offers

Despite the uncertain status of available Trojan scholarships, the USC recruiting department just keeps chugging on.

The latest feather in recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron's cap is a player at a position of need who, quite frankly, wasn't too much of a challenge to secure a verbal commitment from.

Saying that USC was his "dream school," ESPN watch list linebacker Jabari Ruffin committed to the Trojans last Thursday, ending a recruiting process that was just beginning to pick up steam.

The 6'3", 230-pound Ruffin, who plays for Downey High School in Southern California, is an extremely athletic linebacker who also has the speed to go sideline to sideline.

Although the Trojans secured three very talented linebackers last February, Ruffin will be a very welcome addition next year—especially if his growth at the position translates into a productive prep senior campaign.

Ruffin held offers from a myriad of schools, including most of the Pac-12 as well as Michigan and Boise State.

However, the pledge by Ruffin is by no means the only news in the recruiting department. Here is a look at some more newly offered standout prep players:

Deaysean Rippy

Not only does this kid possess a great name, but he is a hell of a linebacker, too.

Rated a 4-star prospect by Scout.com, Rippy, who calls McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, his home, is extremely fast, athletic and, at the high school level, pretty much unblockable, as is evident by his 10 sacks and 85 tackles as a junior last year.

However, because of his size (6'2", 200 pounds), Rippy will probably be looked at as a safety in college.

Regardless of where he plays, look for Rippy to make an impact for whatever lucky program that lands him.

In addition to the Trojan offer, Rippy also holds offers from Florida, Ohio State and Alabama, among others.

Durron Neal

Although Durron Neal has made a name for himself as a wide receiver, it is thought that the Trojans are looking at him as a cornerback.

After all, what would USC do with yet another wideout after last year's stellar recruiting class at the position and three more receivers already pledged for this year?

Nonetheless, Neal is a great athlete who was practically unstoppable for his De Smet Jesuit High School in St. Louis, Missouri.

In addition to his 1,000-plus yards rushing for 10 touchdowns, 543 passing yards for eight touchdowns and 24 receptions for another eight touchdowns, Neal also produced five more touchdowns in the return game.

Wow.

Besides the Trojan offer, Neal also holds offers from almost all of the major programs across the nation and lists them all as "medium" in terms of his interest, with the exception of Alabama, which is his clear favorite.

Taylor McNamara

Much like the wide receiver position, USC is blessed with a plethora of talented tight ends.

However, by 2012, the Trojans should be back in the market at the position and to that end Taylor McNamara would look very good in cardinal and gold.

At 6'5", 240 pounds, McNamara has the body and the soft hands to make a difference at the next level.

Though he could use some polish technique-wise, McNamara dominated on raw talent last year for his Westview High School in San Diego, California, and will be looked upon for another big year as a senior.

McNamara currently holds many offers, including those from most of the major programs in the nation and lists them all as "medium."

Martin Aiken

Although he's not the highest-rated defensive end/tackle, Martin Aiken could be one of the most pursued prep players in the country.

Holding well over two dozen offers from almost all of the major programs, Aiken has a ton of potential even if his measurables aren't eye popping.

Though not particularly big (6'3", 240 pounds) or fast (4.98 40), Aiken does possess an uncanny nose for the ball.

However, despite listing all of his potential suitors as medium, interest-wise, look for him to stay on the East Coast or perhaps sign with a school in the SEC.

Tyriq McCord

Out of Tampa, Florida, comes another undersized, though indisputably talented, athlete.

Tyriq McCord will have to add some bulk to his 6'3", 210-pound frame, but if he can hold on to his blazing speed and quickness, watch out.

After registering 18.5 sacks as a junior, McCord has drawn interest from more than a dozen programs around the country and lists them all as "medium" on his dance card.

Look for McCord to bulk up, and if so, he will become even more of a hot commodity.

Okay, that's it for now.

Of course, the operative phrase is the "for now" part.

USC continues to be a very active participant on the recruiting scene, and this list still doesn't cover all of the prep players who hold Trojan offers.

But we'll get to those later.

My fingers need to rest.