USC scheduled to host top football recruits on official visits this weekend

USC has an important recruiting weekend ahead.

Five players who have committed to the Trojans’ 2016 class are scheduled to make official visits, along with three recruits who have yet to announce decisions.

USC has commitments from 14 players in the 2016 class, six of whom have enrolled for the spring semester, and six scholarships available.

The headliner of the weekend will be Rashan Gary, a defensive lineman from Paramus Catholic High in New Jersey.

The 6-foot-4, 285-pound Gary is considered the top recruit in the country by 247 Sports, ESPN, Rivals and Scout.

Gary already has made official visits to Auburn, Michigan and Mississippi. He has yet to determine who will receive his fifth and final visit.

Defensive lineman Connor Murphy also will be on campus. Murphy, from Brophy Preparatory in Phoenix, recently listed USC among his favorite schools along with Michigan, Alabama, Oregon and Arizona State.

The 6-foot-7, 250-pound Murphy has made an official visit to Oregon and has trips scheduled later this month to Alabama and Michigan.

Murphy said he would announce a commitment on signing day, Feb. 3.

USC Coach Clay Helton named Clancy Pendergast as defensive coordinator last week, but there remains the possibility that Murphy and Gary won’t meet a position coach, given USC has yet to make an official announcement about a defensive line assistant.

Defensive back Byron Murphy from Saguaro High in Scottsdale, Ariz., announced this week on social media that he will make a commitment Jan. 21.

Murphy, 5 feet 11 and 165 pounds, will visit USC this weekend. The Trojans are among Murphy’s favorites, which include Arizona State, Texas A&M and Washington.

Offensive lineman Frank Martin, tight end Cary Angeline, linebacker Jordan Iosefa and receivers Tyler Vaughns and Velus Jones are among the Trojans’ committed players scheduled to visit.

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