USC Trojans

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Recruting misses haunt Trojans

USC thin along the defensive line in recent classes, emphasizing interior for 2013

Updated: February 27, 2012, 12:04 PM ET
By Erik McKinney | We Are SC
LOS ANGELES -- After not taking a defensive end in the 2010 class, the Trojans have done well at the position the past two seasons and are hitting the spot hard again in 2013.

Local defensive end Joe Mathis (Upland, Calif./Upland) was offered during USC's junior day. Defensive line coach Ed Orgeron also has wasted no time heading across the country for some of the top targets in the nation. Robert Nkemdiche (Loganville, Ga./Grayson) has a chance to check in as the No. 1 player in the country this year, and while he will be an extremely difficult pull out of SEC territory, the Trojans will do what they can to get him on campus.

Other top targets include Tim Williams (Baton Rouge, La./University Lab School), Demarcus Walker (Jacksonville, Fla./Sandalwood) and Carl Lawson (Alpharetta, Ga./Milton). It also wouldn't be surprising to see attention turn toward Kylie Fitts (Redlands, Calif./Redlands East Valley) as another local defensive end.

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Erik McKinney | email

Reporter, RecruitingNation
  • Covers recruiting in the West
  • Joined ESPN in 2009

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