USC coaches are on the road recruiting

USC has an open date Saturday, so Trojans coaches are spending the second half of the bye week on the recruiting trail.

Five assistants were absent from Thursday’s practice: Tee Martin, the receivers coach; Keith Heyward (defensive backs); Chris Wilson (defensive line); Marques Tuiasosopo (tight ends) and Clay Helton (offensive coordinator and quarterbacks).

“Our coaches were chomping at the bit to get on the road,” USC Coach Steve Sarkisian said.

Sixteen players have committed to the 2015 class, which has 24 available scholarships. Three players -- quarterback Ricky Town, linebacker Cameron Smith and offensive tackle Chuma Edoga -- have signed grant-in-aid agreements.

“It’s a balanced class,” Sarkisian said.

Sarkisian said recruits have responded “great” to the first-year staff.

“I think people have a pretty good idea of the style of play in which we are going to play on the field,” he said.

USC is 2-1, 1-0 in the Pac-12 Conference.

The Trojans resume their schedule against Oregon State on Sept. 27.