Editor's note: WeAreSC recruiting editor Erik McKinney will rank the Trojans' commitments from 10 to 1 according to the importance of each to the 2012 roster. Prospect No. 4 is linebacker Scott Starr.

Outside of the offensive line, no position on the USC roster needs an infusion of depth and talent from the 2012 recruiting class as much as the linebacker group. The Trojans spent much of fall camp with a starting lineup consisting of three freshmen. They'll lose two potential starters to graduation at the end of the season and could wind up starting two converted safeties at both outside linebacker positions during stretches of the 2011 season.

Because of that potential lack of depth next season, Scott Starr becomes an integral part of the current recruiting class of USC. At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, he would already be one of the more physically imposing linebackers on the USC roster. And as one of the top two or three senior linebackers in the state, holding offers from much of the Pac-12 conference, Starr's inclusion in the Trojans' recruiting class sends a strong message that, limited scholarships or not, USC is still bringing in the top talent in Southern California.

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Erik McKinney | email

Reporter, RecruitingNation

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• Covers recruiting in the West
• Joined ESPN in 2009