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In a topsy-turvy recruiting season that has had Trojans fans teetering on the brink of insanity with the decommitments of one-time USC verbals Eddie Vanderdoes, Max Redfield, Eldridge Massington, Sebastian LaRue and Kylie Fitts -- not to mention the uncertain status of others such as Jalen Ramsey and Torrodney Prevot -- it’s worth taking a quick look back to signing day 2011. While the saga of the Class of 2013 has been filled with plenty of drama, nothing compares to the way Lane Kiffin and his staff were rocked by the last-second defection of De’Anthony Thomas.

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Where do you think things stand with the following recruits on the USC wish list?

Garry Paskwietz

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The resignation of USC assistant head coach Monte Kiffin on Thursday night didn't send shock waves through the Trojans' No. 2-rated recruiting class. The move was hardly surprising and had no effect on the commitment status of recruits.

Four-star outside linebacker Michael Hutchings (Concord, Calif./De La Salle), who committed to USC in July, wondered which direction the Trojans' defense is headed.

"It doesn't affect me too much," Hutchings said. "I really like Coach Kiffin. I think he's a great defensive mind, but I don't really have a big reaction to it. My main concern is whether they'll stay at a 4-3 defense or change to 3-4. ... I'd just want to know my role in the new defense."

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WeAreSC recruiting reporter Blair Angulo answers reader questions in his mailbag every Friday. Have a USC recruiting question of your own? Submit it here.

Jeremy: Where does 'SC ultimately project Kylie Fitts? Seems like he can grow into a Shaun Cody pass-rushing DT-type.

Fitts has been recruited as a defensive end, so the assumption is that's where he projects best at the college level. But you're correct, Jeremy, Fitts does have the capabilities to be a superb interior pass-rusher. I saw him in person last week against Vista Murrieta, and he lined up inside on a number of occasions. Fitts is versatile, yes, but remember: The Trojans have commitments from the second- and fifth-ranked defensive tackles in Kenny Bigelow (Elkton, Md./Eastern Christian Academy) and Eddie Vanderdoes (Auburn, Calif./Placer). If Fitts turns out to be better suited in the interior, then he'll make the switch. For now, though, he appears to be an end.

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