:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45229264/usa-today-8310638.0.jpg)
As far as official visit weekends go, it doesn't get much bigger than the one USC has set up for this weekend.
In addition to the nine commitments that will be on campus, the Trojans are bringing in three of their top remaining targets in 5 star defensive tackle Rasheem Green, 4 star linebacker John Houston, and 4 star linebacker/defensive end Porter Gustin.
Saying they are three of the Trojans top remaining targets is almost misleading. These guys are the on the wishlists of just about every program in the Pac-12 and all are considered heavy Trojan leans.
Green was having a dominant senior year before it ended with a knee injury, but the injury shouldn't change how good he can become at the next level. He should develop into a dynamic interior pass rusher and is athletic enough to play defensive end in the Trojans defense just like Leonard Williams. His high school teammate Houston might be the best linebacker on the west coast in this recruiting cycle and is just scratching the surface as to how good he is going to be. As good as those two can be, Gustin may eventually end up being the best of the bunch once he finishes his college career. He's an athletic freak that is built to play college football tomorrow. He may eventually grow into a player who can rush the passer off the edge, but he showed in the US Army All American Bowl that he has some skills in coverage too.
Salem Hills star Porter Gustin with the "Pick 6" in the Army All-American Bowl https://t.co/bTVGpcyYHF
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) January 3, 2015
Landing all three this weekend would be huge, but we might have to wait until signing day before they all make a decision. I'm sure they will get plenty of encouragement to choose USC from the nine commitments that will be there with them as well as the other early enrollees that are already on campus.
I wrote earlier today that if Oregon wants to take that next step and win a national championship, they have to recruit better talent for their front seven. They have only landed ten 4 or 5 star front seven players in the last six recruiting classes. If USC signs Green, Houston, and Gustin, that would make five blue chip recruits, defensive tackle Jacob Daniel and linebacker Cameron Smith being the others, in just this 2015 recruiting class. USC is also still in the running to land stud linebacker Osa Masina as well.
The jury is out on if Steve Sarkisian can lead USC back to a national championship, but he certainly looks like he'll have the talent on hand to get the job done if he and his staff keep recruiting like they are now.
USC currently has the 5th best recruiting class in the country and it could rise up all the way up to 2nd behind Alabama if they finish strong down the stretch. This weekend could end up being the spark that takes the Trojans all the way to signing day.