USC Football Recruiting 2011: The Trojans' Top Targets and Commitments

Now that the dust has settled and their appeal has been denied, USC now knows what work it must due in stocking the roster with talent as scholarships are going to be at an extreme premium in Troy for a few years.

Known as a force on the recruiting trail, Lane Kiffin and Ed Orgeron will need to be more creative than ever starting with this 2012 recruiting class. USC has has several talented commitments and are aligned with many quality prospects.

Here are some of their key commitments and prime targets in 2012 recruiting.

2012 USC Recruiting Class Capsule

The Trojans are known for being a prime force in recruiting and this year's start seems like more of the norm, as six of the nine current commitments are rated 4-stars or higher.

The headliner is 5-star DE Arik Armstead, who stands a staggering 6'8", 280 pounds. The brother of current Trojan DE Armond Armstead, Arik also has been bantered about as the top overall recruit in the nation by some publications.

Other top commits include WRs Jordan Payton, Darreus Rogers and Jayden Mickens, LBs Jabari Ruffin and Scott Starr, and OL Max Tuerk. 

What Are the Chances Jordan Payton Stays Committed?

Jordan Payton is a 6'2", 190 pound WR recruit that pledged to USC in the second semester of his sophomore year in high school. From the Los Angeles area, Payton was thought to be locked up firmly.

As Lee Corso would say, "Not so fast my friend!", because Payton has taken or will take a slew of visits to schools such as Cal, SMU, Notre Dame, Michigan, Florida and many more.

Payton continuously states he is still committed to USC, but the constantly flirting with other schools says otherwise. I think, right now, it's 50-50 he ends up a Trojan. 

Key Commitment: Arik Armstead, DE/OL

At 6'8", 280 pounds, Armstead has been talked as the top prospect in the country. He can play defensive end, defensive tackle and also shows the feet and balance to play left tackle.

The brother of current USC defensive end Armond Armstead, Arik is a mammoth who isn't just a big man; he's an excellent athlete as well. 

Armstead is firm when he says he is and will play DE at USC, and has gone as far as to say Ed Oregeron projects him as a strong side end. But his frame and athleticism could make him an even better left tackle.

Prime Target: Andrus Peat, OT

I scouted Matt Kalil coming out Servite. I even went to see Kalil up close and personal at a camp going into his senior year. He was as close to a flawless LT prospect I'd seen and it's no shock he will be a first round pick next year.

Andrus Peat is just about on Kalil's level in high school. 6'7", 280 pounds, Peat has sound technique and excels in both the run and pass.

USC has some competition for him, as Florida State, Nebraska, Michigan and more are hot after him, but Peat did enjoy his unofficial visit to L.A. this spring.

McCarthy a USC Lean?

There have been rumors of Ellis McCarthy, the 5-star DT from Monrovia (CA), being a USC lean this spring. 

No one has really been able to confirm these rumors, but there hasn't been a staunch denial by McCarthy. So for now, I have to go with him being wide open.

McCarthy is super strong DT prospect that also has solid quickness, nimble feet and can make plays in the backfield. 

6'5", and around 311 pounds, McCarthy has offers from an array of programs like Florida, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Michigan, Washington, UCLA and Cal.

Key Commitment: Jabari Ruffin, OLB

I really love evaluating potential strongside players. It's a tough but fun task, and I love watching tape and seeing if a player can hold up on the strong side.

Jabari Ruffin has the makings of a strong side or "Sam" LB, as the 6'3", 230 pounder has solid athleticism, play size and instincts. Ruffin shows the potential to be able to take on blocks, pop a blocker, shed and fly to the ball carrier.

He also shows the agility to carry a tight end underneath and intermediately in the passing game as well. He's a prospect I'm going to definitely follow in college.

Trojans in Murphy's Core Four

Kyle Murphy, perhaps the best pure OT prospect in California, is a 6'7", 270-pounder with LT ability.

Murphy plays with good bend in his knees, great balance, agility, mirror ability, and flashes the movement skills to get up on LBs in the second level.

He has announced a top four of USC, Cal, Stanford and Oregon.The combination of football tradition and solid academics are what he has stated appeals to him about USC.