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January 17th, 2012, 7:00 am by Michael Lev, staff writer

Continuing our series of profiles on USC?s incoming recruiting class, leading up to national signing day on Feb. 1:

MORGAN BRESLIN

• School/hometown: Diablo Valley College (Las Lomas High, Walnut Creek)
• Position: Defensive end
• Height/weight: 6-3, 245
• Star rating: 4 (Rivals), 3 (Scout)
• Position ranking: N/A

• Commitment status: Signed letter of intent Dec. 21, 2011
• Notable: Morgan had the most sacks (28) of any California junior college player over the past two seasons.
• They said it: ?I don?t even know how to explain how excited I was to have a chance to go there (to USC). It?s like one of those dreams you have as a little kid, but never really think is going to happen.? ? Breslin to USCFootball.com
• Projected role in 2012: Backup defensive end

• The skinny: Leading sacker Nick Perry?s departure for the NFL draft created a need at defensive end, so USC went after and won over Breslin, who had been committed to UCLA. Seniors Wes Horton and Devon Kennard are expected to start, but DL coach Ed Orgeron wants to establish a rotation. Breslin?s primary competition for the No. 3 DE job will come from redshirt junior Kevin Greene, a long-term project; redshirt freshman Greg Townsend Jr., a four-star recruit last year; and redshirt freshman Charles Burks, who missed last season because of a knee injury.

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January 16th, 2012, 7:00 am by Michael Lev, staff writer

Over the next two and a half weeks, we will profile every USC verbal commitment and midyear signee for the class of 2012. This year?s class won?t be as large as last year?s because of the NCAA sanctions, but quality?s more important than quantity, right?

Our leadoff batter can be found below. National signing day is Feb. 1.

GERALD BOWMAN

• School/hometown: Pierce College (Imhotep High, Philadelphia)
• Position: Safety
• Height/weight: 6-1, 215
• Star rating: 4 (Rivals), 5 (Scout)
• Position ranking: N/A
• Commitment status: Signed letter of intent Dec. 21, 2011
• Notable: Rivals rates Bowman as the No. 1 junior-college prospect in the nation. Scout has him at No. 3.
• They said it: ?Bowman is one of the most aggressive defenders out there. He attacks the ball in the run game and isn?t afraid to deliver big hits. I think USC liked his timing as well, though. He?s not just a big hitter. He is certainly incredibly aggressive, but he will sit back in pass coverage. He?s just a very good all-around defender.? ? Rivals.com West recruiting analyst Adam Gorney
• Projected role in 2012: Backup safety and special-teamer
• The skinny: Bowman is unlikely to win a starting job with seniors T.J. McDonald and Jawanza Starling ? who came on big-time in the second half of the season ? ensconced at the safety spots. But Bowman should provide valuable depth and contribute on special teams before making a hard push to start in 2013. There is some question about his eligibility, a matter that remained unclear as of this writing.

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January 13th, 2012, 10:00 am by Michael Lev, staff writer

This weekend is one of the most important for USC?s recruiting efforts as Lane Kiffin and his staff make their final push in advance of national signing day.

Here is an unofficial list of visitors set to hit the USC campus, courtesy of ESPN.com, Rivals.com and Scout.com:

**********

• OT Kyle Dodson (University Heights, Ohio)
• RB D.J. Foster (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
• CB Tracy Howard (Miramar, Fla.)
• OT Andrus Peat (Tempe, Ariz.)
• WR Darreus Rogers (Carson)*
• OLB Jabari Ruffin (Downey)*

• OG Isaac Seumalo (Corvallis, Ore.)
• CB Kevon Seymour (Pasadena)*
• DT Justin Shanks (Prattville, Ala.)
• OL Jordan Simmons (Encino)*

• OL Max Tuerk (Santa Margarita)*

(*-Indicates player already has committed to USC)

More recruits are scheduled to visit next weekend. National signing day is Feb. 1.

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January 9th, 2012, 11:00 am by Michael Lev, staff writer

Almost forgotten amid the hubbub of Matt Barkley returning for his senior year is that USC is losing two non-seniors to the NFL.

Offensive tackle Matt Kalil and defensive end Nick Perry played vital roles in the Trojans? resurgent 10-2 season. Kalil, expected to be a top-five pick in the 2012 draft, is the only starter USC loses on the offensive line. But Perry is one of three starters lost on the defensive line.

So it?s safe to say that left tackle and D-line depth are among Lane Kiffin?s biggest concerns heading into signing day and spring foot