USC Football Recruiting 2012: 5-Star Recruits the Trojans Could Land

USC has become one of the top recruiting programs in the country, and they always gets their share of 5-star prospects. This year may be tough to haul in as many as in years past, but the Men of Troy already have one 5-star commit, DE/OT Arik Armstead.

Which other 5-star prospects are the Trojans in the hunt for? Well come inside and we'll let you know. It may be more than you think or realize.

USC.

5-star prospects.

What could you ask for Trojan fans?

8. Zach Banner, OT

Banner is a big OT who has USC among the schools he's considering. His list is pretty long—about 10 schools.

The Trojans have as good a shot as the other schools on his list. Yet there is steep competition as Alabama, Washington, Notre Dame and Michigan are on his list as well.

USC will stay on him pretty hard.

7. Andrus Peat, OT

Peat is a 5-star OT from Arizona and has over 30 offers. The Trojans are one of about 14 schools Peat is considering, however, I think right now Nebraska could be the leader.

Peat did take a trip to Los Angeles earlier this year and enjoyed himself, yet the Trojans will need to really work to get him to come to Heritage Hall.

But Peat will give the Trojans a long look.

6. Noah Spence, DE

USC has made several visits to Spence in Pennsylvania. And Spence has said that he will give USC a hard look.

The Trojans taking time out to come all the way across the country to see him has made a favorable impression on the DE prospect.

USC will have to battle Notre Dame, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Alabama, Maryland, Florida, Pitt and Penn State for his services.

5. Kyle Murphy, OT

Back in the spring, Murphy stated that he had a core four of USC, Oregon, Cal and Stanford. Since then he has kind of opened things up.

Yet with the Trojans needing more depth along their offensive front and Murphy being from California, I think the Trojans have a shot.

With Miami, Auburn, Florida, Notre Dame and Nebraska in the hunt now, there's work to be done.

4. Keith Marshall, RB

I'm sure of USC's chances with Marshall. He's already set three trips to Georgia, Notre Dame and Florida.

That leaves two more unofficial visits for Marshall, and the Trojans are among several teams like Alabama, Miami, Auburn and a few more that he is considering to visit.

It may be hard to get him from SEC country, but a great visit to Los Angeles could go a long way.

3. Josh Garnett, OL

Garnett has a long list as well. He's one of the most highly recruited OL prospects in the country and could play OG or OT in college.

Michigan, Stanford and Notre Dame seem like the prime players, but USC is still a good possible destination. The Trojans are going to have work on Garnett and stay on him pretty hard.

Academics will play a big role in his choice.

2. Nelson Agholor, ATH

Agholor took a trip to USC earlier this summer and things went well. USC is recruiting the ATH pretty thoroughly, and he has sad that playing in Troy would be an honor.

Whether he lines up at WR or DB for USC, just having his athleticism would upgrade the Trojan roster.

However, Agholor has Florida, Miami, Alabama and many other schools after him.

1. Ellis McCarthy, DT

McCarthy has been rumored to be a USC lean by some observers. Washington, Florida, Cal and Oregon are also said to be in the race among other programs.

The Trojans are the local team for McCarthy, who hails from the Inland Empire in Southern California.

Getting an elite DT like McCarthy would be a huge coup for USC, and the Trojans know it. That's why they're recruiting him hard.