USC Football Recruiting 2017: 5 must-have recruits for Trojans

Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans coach Clay Helton reacts during the 103rd Rose Bowl against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Rose Bowl. USC defeated Penn State 52-49 in the highest scoring game in Rose Bowl history. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

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3. Jay Tufele, 5-star DT (South Jordan, Utah)

It’s incredible the type of talent still left on the board that USC has a better than average chance of landing. The Trojans are looking at five-star defensive tackle Jay Tufele from South Jordan, Utah, who would be the highest-ranked defensive tackle pledge in the class but they have to beat out hometown Utah for his commitment.

Signing him won’t be easy since a lot of kids from the state choose to stay close to home, but Tufele is an exception because of his national prominence. He’s been recruited by a number of major programs and can be an instant impact player wherever he decides to go.

Utah could play him right away and he could be a star right away, but USC is losing nose tackle Stevie Tu’ikolovatu to graduation which could open up a spot for Tufele. The depth chart might be drawing him to Utah, but it’s not like he’d have to sit and wait at Southern Cal for a chance to crack the rotation.

The Army All-American invitee will play early no matter who he chooses and he already has the frame necessary to compete with the big boys. He stands 6-foot-3 and weighs nearly 300 pounds.

Tufele is the top prospect in the state of Utah as well as the No. 14 overall recruit in the class and the No. 2 defensive tackle. He officially visited USC on Jan. 20.

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