If USC is to get back on top of the Pac-12 in the upcoming years, they're going to need to bolster up their recruiting classes with as much quality talent as possible. They'll be looking everywhere for every big name they can get their hands on.
Ellis McCarthy is one guy USC can't afford to let go. He's the top defensive lineman on the West Coast, and a local one at that. Ed Orgeron has been on him for most of the year, so it's natural that the Trojans remain on top of his leaderboard. He recently named his top three.
McCarthy seems like your prototypical 4-3 defensive tackle who can man the middle and clamp down on any interior rushing by the opposition. The dark horse is probably Cal because of Tosh Lupoi's recent recruiting prowess, and Cal has proven they can be flexible and put up multiple fronts with their defensive line. Oregon has a decent chance if they can sell to him how he'd be a gamechanger for the program.