USC begins football recruiting process

Hours after USC defeated UCLA, several Trojans assistants hit the recruiting trail.

Coach Lane Kiffin said he would join them Monday after a team dinner at USC President Max Nikias’ home Sunday night.

And so it goes for a program that will not play in a bowl game for the first time since the 2000 season.

Asked how many incoming players he would like to have enroll next month, which would allow the Trojans to count them against their 2010 recruiting class, Kiffin quipped, “About 45. That would be good.”

More realistically, USC hopes to have nine or 10 players enrolled in time to participate in spring practice.

The highest-priority targets, Kiffin said, would be offensive linemen, defensive linemen, linebackers and fullbacks.

Baxter pleased

Freshman tailback Dillon Baxter was happy to conclude his tumultuous first season by passing for his first touchdown in Saturday’s 28-14 victory over UCLA.

Baxter took a direct snap, faked a handoff and rolled to his right before hitting tight end Rhett Ellison on a five-yard scoring play.

“It’s been a rough season,” said Baxter, who was held out of two games because of off-the-field incidents and also was slowed by a toe injury. “Just to finish it with a nice little completion for a touchdown was cool.”

Quick hits

Cornerback Torin Harris and offensive lineman Kevin Graf will have shoulder surgery, Kiffin said. … Allen Bradford’s 73-yard touchdown run against UCLA was the longest run by a USC player since Reggie Bush’s 76-yarder against Arkansas in 2005. … Fullback Stanley Havili after his Trojans finale: “I can’t believe it’s come to an end. … I can’t ask for anything more than to go out this way with this group of guys and this coaching staff. I learned a lot this year and I’m excited for the next part of my life.”

gary.klein@latimes.com

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