USC Trojans

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- When Ronnie Clark (Calera, Ala./Calera) found out he had received a scholarship offer from USC this week, he asked his coach, "USC who?"

"The Trojans," his coach said. Even Clark, who already has offers from Alabama and Auburn, was surprised that a school as far away as USC knew of him.

“That’s cool because that’s one of the top recruiting teams in the country,” Clark said. “To get an offer from USC, way out there in California, that’s neat. I wouldn’t think that they would even look at me, but knowing they offered me, I was shocked.

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Fast-rising Class of 2014 defensive end Bryson Allen-Williams (Ellenwood, Ga./Cedar Grove) bagged his ninth scholarship offer on Saturday, adding one from USC assistant coach Ed Orgeron.

"That was a big moment," the 6-foot-3, 233-pound Allen-Williams said. "USC is one of the greatest educational institutions in the country. The football program has one of the biggest traditions. I don't have top list of schools right now but if I did, USC would be up there. Being from Georgia, USC is appealing. It's right in L.A. It's glamorous."

The Trojans have three commitments in next year's class -- offensive linemen Toa Lobendahn (Lakewood, Calif./Lakewood), Jordan Poland (La Jolla, Calif./Country Day School) and Casey Tucker (Chandler, Ariz./Hamilton) -- hypothetically leaving them with only 12 remaining spots.

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Class of 2014 ESPN Watch List defensive end Andrew Williams (McDonough, Ga./Eagles Landing Christian Academy) received a phone call from his high school coach Monday and immediately did a double-take.

Williams was offered by USC, and it was nothing short of surprising.

"It means a lot, it really does," the 6-foot-4, 231-pound Williams said. "I was really surprised. I didn't think USC recruited guys down here. I've been watching them a lot this year and I've been impressed. The tradition and the way they run their defense, I'm really interested."

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ESPN 150 defensive lineman Maquedius Bain (Davie, Fla./University School) will be taking a trip to Norman, Okla., this weekend to visit the Sooners pending some ACT paperwork.

"I just needed to get a couple of things in hand and I'll be visiting Oklahoma this weekend," Bain said. "They reached out to me back in July and I'm looking forward to the visit."

The 6-foot-3, 285-pound Bain, who committed to Florida State as a junior and re-opened his recruitment earlier in the year, appears to be leaning towards a future playing outside of the Sunshine State.

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Lake Gibson (Lakeland, Fla.) defensive lineman Kennard Swanson added an offer from Missouri on Tuesday, according to Lake Gibson assistant coach Robert Whitaker.

The 6-foot, 250-pound junior already has offers from Ole Miss, USC and South Florida.

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Defensive end Carl Lawson of Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton High School wants to make one thing clear: He isn't just a hand-on-the-ground player.

The 6-foot-3, 240-pound junior has been working on dropping into coverage and rushing the passer from an outside linebacker spot, and he said it's something he's eager to prove he's capable of doing in summer camps and throughout his upcoming senior season.

"I know people have misconceptions about me whether or not I can stand up or possibly play that outside linebacker position," Lawson said after participating in Florida's junior day. "I've been practicing."

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