The prestige of the University of Southern California helped the Trojans’ recruiting efforts overcome the most disappointing season in Trojan football history, emphasized by Lane Kiffin’s shady antics and a bevy of recent de-commits that formulated a spiraling tornado of negative momentum. USC is known as a football factory with esteemed academics, an unrivaled alumni network, all while being located in the heart of Los Angeles—the school practically sells itself. 

A core group of early enrollees will provide the backbone for the future. Max Browne, the Gatorade National Player of the Year, has an opportunity to compete for the starting quarterback position, replacing Matt Barkley, the only true freshman to ever start at the position. On the other side of the ball, safety Su’a Cravens, who was named the Gatorade California Football Player of the Year, is a dynamic playmaker who will team up with Leon McQuay III, leaving the Trojans feeling optimistic about the future of a secondary that was torched countless times last season. 

Five-star recruit Kenny Bigelow will fortify the Trojans’ defensive line immediately. Bigelow is quick enough to beat guards when lined up inside, but also possesses fluid pass-rushing moves, providing Ed Orgeron another multidimensional athlete up front. Staying on the defensive side of the ball, four-star cornerback Chris Hawkins takes gambles and has the ability to jump routes, an innate skill for corners. With excellent ball skills and elite speed, Hawkins will tighten up the Trojans’ secondary. Running back Justin Davis is a three-down back who can run over safeties and make linebackers miss. The five-star product out of Stockton, Calif. will provide much-needed depth behind incumbent starter Silas Redd. While these athletes will provide USC with elite players at key positions of need, the loss of six de-commits will continue to haunt the Trojans, who are struggling to find depth as a result of the scholarship reductions imposed on the program three years ago. 

Lane Kiffin is the most scrutinized coach in college football after losing six games last season, including five of his last six. His docile sideline demeanor does not ignite a fire within his players, and his lack of offensive creativity, illustrated in Notre Dame’s goal line stands in the last regular season game of the year, contributed to his demise. There is no doubt that he can still recruit, apparent in his ability to draw top recruits despite a devastating season that started with the preseason No. 1 ranking and finished with six losses. It will mean little, however, if he does not change his coaching style. Kiffin is perceived as an undisciplined, immature head coach, and that does not sit well with the families of recruits who have hordes of scholarship offers from other prominent schools. 

Trojans football is headed in the right direction with one of the most impressive groups of early enrollees in school history, but it is imperative that Kiffin closes out the recruiting season on a positive note by landing several four-star recruits who are on the fence and regaining a commitment from behemoth defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes. The Trojans can overcome the scholarship restrictions if they continue to build on their talented class. Nevertheless, if USC has another subpar season, expect Athletic Director Pat Haden to pull the plug on Kiffin, a coach who tried to right the ship during turbulent times in Troy. Unfortunately, Kiffin will only have himself to blame. 

Reach Staff Writer Jeremy Shapiro here.