Recruiting focuses on addressing needs and bringing in the best players to fit a program.
The top programs manage to consistently do both.
USC has to walk a fine line in the recruiting world, still under sanctions in which limits its scholarships.
Despite the sanctions, Trojans coach Lane Kiffin and his staff were still able to bring in a top class in 2012 and 2013 is adding up to be that way, too.
Running back is a need and so far, the Trojans have been able to cater to it for the 2013 class.
The top tailback in the nation, Ty Isaac, verbally ommitted to the Trojans earlier this week and on Thursday, the Trojans received another verbal from five-star running back Justin Davis out of Stockton Lincoln.
“I wanted to be there ever since that first
visit,” Davis told Scout.com. “The academics and athletics combined, there is
no other school like it.”
Davis is the No. 3 rated running back in the nation, according to Scout.com and last season, he rushed for 2,380 yards and 36 touchdowns.
The Trojans enter 2012 with just three scholarship tailbacks -- senior Curtis McNeal, sophomore D.J. Morgan and redshirt freshman Buck Allen.
USC suffered a huge blow during the spring when Tre Madden suffered a season-ending knee injury. Madden entered the spring as a linebacker but with a lack of numbers in the backfield, Kiffin elected to try him at running back. Madden was so impressive that Kiffin elected to keep him there.
Incoming freshman Nelson Agholor may be called on to play in the backfield as could fullback Jahleel Pinner.
USC did not sign a running back in the 2012 class.
Davis is the seventh commit for the Trojans in the 2013 class. He's also the fourth five-star, along with Isaac, Max Browne, the top quarterback in the nation, and defensive tackle Kenny Bigelow from Maryland.
National Signing Day is Feb. 6.
