USC Football Recruiting: Trojans Get Big Verbal from O-Lineman, Max Tuerk

For months (and perhaps over a year) Trojan fans have agonized over USC's lack of quality "big uglies" on their offensive line.

You can breathe a little easier now Trojan nation.

Scout.com has just reported that Max Tuerk, the big 4-star (as rated by Scout.com) offensive tackle from Santa Margarita high school in California, has just given the Trojans his verbal pledge to become one of their class of 2012 recruits.

Tuerk, who goes 6'5", 290 lbs., has great explosiveness off the ball and only needs to hone his technique a bit to become a dominant player at the next level.

Saying he was "100 percent committed to the Trojans," Tuerk will be given a long look from the moment he steps onto USC campus.

For the the Trojans, this is a huge signing.

USC's offensive line in 2011 will feature at least three new starters and of those, one is expected to be a true freshman (Cyrus Hobbi).

With Tuerk's pledge, the Trojans now have eight verbal commitments for the upcoming class in 2012.

But perhaps none, with the possible exception of Arik Armstead, is bigger than young Max in terms of USC's needs.

Tuerk held offers from over 20 programs throughout the nation including most of the Pac-12 and Notre Dame among others.

Now maybe Trojan fans can stop complaining about the direction of USC's recruiting efforts. To be sure, this will make offensive line coach Jim Cregg, sleep a bit easier at night.

Of course, the Trojans could use a couple more like Tuerk, so perhaps the comfort experienced today with young Max's verbal pledge is just a lull before the worrying begins anew.