USC 2011 Football Recruiting: Which Recruits Could Start in 2011?

Lane Kiffin and his right-hand man in recruiting, Ed Orgeron, proved in 2011 that sanctions would not hold the Trojans back from being as big a force on the recruiting trail as they've been in years' past.

USC has signed countless No. 1 and top-five classes through the past decade, stocking their roster with elite talent February after February.

Now comes a top five class to Los Angeles in 2011, and the Trojans are known more than anybody for playing true freshmen. Looking at the current roster and evaluating the incoming recruiting class on tape, I think there are several recruits that have a solid chance to either start or see significant time early and often in 2011.

Playing early at USC is a feat in itself, as the Trojans have talent up and down the roster, but the following players have a chance to crack the line up for Kiffin and co.

6. Isiah Wiley, DB

Wiley comes to USC from JC ranks powerhouse Arizona Western. He initially committed to Arkansas last summer, but the Trojans took advantage of the switch. At 6'1", 185 pounds and with 4.4. speed, Wile can play both big corner and safety.

He's a polished defensive back with backpedal and transition quickness, speed to close, rarely circles and has solid ball skills to make plays on balls in flight.

The Tampa-2 style defense that USC runs really has two safety spots deemed interchangeable, but TJ McDonald has more of a strong safety type of role on the back end. Jawanza Starling and Marshall Jones are still question marks for the Trojans.

Nickel Robey seems to have one starting corner spot down, but the Trojans have to replace Shareece Wright, and I didn't come away encouraged about Torin Harris last year. Wiley could man up a cornerback spot opposite Robey or a safety spot alongside McDonald in 2011.

5. Amir Carlisle, RB

Carlisle compares favorably to current Trojans running back Dillon Baxter, but Baxter has not been too reliable in his first year with the Trojans.  He misses classes, is late for meetings and was even ruled ineligible for a short time due to taking a ride from an aspiring, low-level agent.

Word is Baxter may be wearing on Lane Kiffin, and it's not given that he will be returning to fall camp.

If he doesn't, look for Carlisle to step in and take his role as the Trojans' receiver/do-it-all back alongside Marc Tyler. Carlisle is talented enough to beat out Curtis McNeal and DJ Morgan for the role.

At 5'10" and 180 pounds, Carlisle has 4.4 speed, quickness out of his breaks and a burst to and through holes that is impressive. He has solid hands and can work the slot due to his quickness against linebackers at the junction point.

Two-way go's will have Matt Barkley and the Trojan offense giddy with Carlisle underneath on linebackers, as he can't be covered in these situations.

4. Aundrey Walker, OG

Walker is haled as the top offensive guard prospect coming into college football in 2011. At 6'5", 355 pounds, he's an excellent phone booth mauler and has solid balance, agility and production in space to get up to the second level to hit moving targets.

The Trojans are in dire need of offensive depth and talent, as they lost Butch Lewis, Tyron Smith and Kris O'Dowd to the NFL, among others. Matt Kalil is solid at left tackle, but Khaled Holmes doesn't know whether he will move to center or stay at guard.

John Martinez and Kevin Graf are super talented, but young, and Walker could come in and upset one of the interior linemen for a starting spot in 2011.

3. Javarius Allen, RB/ATH

Allen is not as well-known as he should be, due to missing his senior year with an injury. He rushed for 1,000 yards as junior and is listed as an ATH, but I believe Allen will develop into a fullback at USC.

At 6'1" and 210 pounds, he shows the same type of skill set that Stanley Havili did coming out. Both are big, high school running backs with solid speed and good hands.

USC doesn't have a replacement for Havili, who became the Trojans' most important offensive player during his tenure in Los Angeles. Talk has been of USC going to more of a spread or multiple receivers look in 2011, but I don't believe Lane Kiffin and Kennedy Pola really want to go that route at the end of the day.

The fullback spot in the USC offense is similar to a West Coast offense fullback, meaning they are not the typical bruising iso-lead blocking types. They rely more on their receiving skills out of the backfield, along with their running ability.

Allen has a skill set that fits this role and could see time in 2011.

2. George Farmer, WR

I debated whether or not to put Farmer on this list (and this high) because when you look at the depth chart of USC's receiving corps, you shake your head at the riches. It speaks volumes about just how good Robert Woods was to start.

Aside from Woods, USC has Kyle Prater, Brice Butler, Brandon Carswell, Devon Flournoy, Markeith Ambles and Victor Blackwell, who are no slouches either. Yet observers say Farmer was the better receiver at Serra with Woods and is a freak.

At 6'2" and 200 pounds, he's been timed at 4.3 (high) and 4.4 (low) in the 40 and has solid hands, a large strike zone, adjust ability and break quickness to dazzle as a true freshman.

The rich got richer here with Farmer to USC, and he may be too good to keep off the field in 2011.

1. Lamar Dawson, LB

Dawson is a big 'backer who will come to USC to take hold of the SAM spot in the 4-3 base look in which the Trojans align.

At 6'2" and 230 pounds, Dawson has very good play speed for a second level defender and instincts to track the run all over the box.

He has very good ball skills and athleticism to carry tight ends downfield, and flashes solid ball skills as a pass-defender underneath. He's strong at the point and doesn't back down from anyone, which will allow him to jam tight ends at the line with ease.

Cris Galippo played some SAM last year, but Mike Morgan was the guy. Morgan is now gone and Galippo and Devon Kennard will once again do battle for the MIKE spot.

The SAM spot is ripe for the taking for Dawson, who already has college size, speed and athletic ability. He looks to be a prime player to start from the incoming 2011 recruiting class.