Of the 12 players the Trojans signed that cycle, only one is expected to be a starter for USC this fall
When athletic director Mike Bohn decided to keep embattled head football coach Clay Helton for another season at the end of the 2019 campaign, the recruiting fall out ended up being massive.
The uncertainty surrounding Helton’s job status and the limited number of scholarships the program could give out that cycle led to the Trojans signing only 12 players in the 2020 class. The group ranked 63rd nationally and dead last in the Pac-12, per 247Sports.com’s composite rankings. The Athletic called USC’s recruiting performance that year “inexcusable“.
The 2020 class will provide the foundation for programs across the country this fall as players in that class will enter their fourth years in college.
But that isn’t the case for USC.
Of the 12 players the Trojans signed that cycle, only one is in line to be a starter this fall — right guard Jonah Monheim. Defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu has entered the NFL Draft, where he’s a predicted second round pick. Outside of Monheim, only offensive lineman Courtland Ford is expected see the field for the Trojans and he’s a projected rotational piece, not a starter. Gary Bryant played significant snaps in 2021 at receiver, but he ended up redshirting last season and is now in the transfer portal.
Adding only four impact players in one class is a brutal haul, especially for an elite program like USC.
WHERE ARE THE OTHER SIGNEES NOW?
DB Joshua Jackson Jr.
Jackson signed as a receiver, but has been moved to defensive back. He’s still on USC’s roster after not playing a single snap a year ago.
DT Jamar Sekona
Sekona is still on USC’s roster after playing 37 defensive snaps last season.
DT Kobe Pepe
Pepe is in the transfer portal after playing four snaps last season.
OT Caadyn Stephen
Stephen is still on USC’s roster after playing two snaps a year ago.
OT Casey Collier
Collier transferred to Oklahoma State last spring.
OT Andrew Milek
Milek is still on USC’s roster after playing 25 offensive snaps last season. He played 77 snaps on special teams.
OT Andres Dewerk
Dewerk is still on USC’s roster after playing one snap last year.
K Parker Lewis
Lewis transferred to Ohio State last spring.
WHO DID USC MISS OUT ON?
The biggest miss for USC in the 2020 cycle was former QB commit Bryce Young. After starring at Alabama, Young is expected to be a top three pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
The Trojans also missed out on cornerback Clark Phillips (Utah), running back Kendall Milton (Georgia) and cornerback Eli Ricks (LSU and then Alabama).
All four of those players are from California and are projected to get selected in April’s NFL Draft.
