USC Now mailbag: Recruiting, recruiting and more recruiting

After a brief hiatus, it’s time again for the USC Now mailbag. Keep the questions and comments coming!

At Washington, Sarkisian had mobile quarterbacks, so why isn’t Sarkisian recruiting those types? The way Ohio St. dominated teams should be the formula.

— Cass Brown

When Sarkisian arrived at USC he recruited Gardena Serra High quarterback Jalen Greene, who switched his commitment from Washington, and is a mobile quarterback.

Ricky Town and Sam Darold signed in the 2015 recruiting class.

Town is a pocket passer, but Darnold passed for 2,985 yards and 39 touchdowns his senior season at San Clemente and he rushed for 785 yards and 13 touchdowns in 125 carries.

Glendora’s Matt Fink is committed in the 2016 class. Fink passed for 1,386 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior. He also rushed for 725 yards and 10 touchdowns in 75 carries.

We took a suspect quarterback in Fink, are offering a bunch of receivers and why can’t we get big defensive line kids to commit given the huge opportunity for immediate playing time this year and next? With the Alabama game looming, should any players from current group leave early, there will be a gaping hole and lack of depth come next season’s opener.

— Gabriel Guerrero

Gabriel, have you forgotten that the 2015 season also looms?

Alabama is not until 2016.

The Trojans have to get through at least 12 games before then.

It is smart to sign a quarterback in each class.

USC needs to recruit multiple receivers because Darreus Rogers, Isaac Whitney and De’Quan Hampton will be seniors in 2016.

It will also be Steven Mitchell, JuJu Smith, Ajene Harris and Adoree’ Jackson’s junior seasons — and each will have the option to leave for the NFL draft.

Recruiting defensive linemen in the 2016 class is a challenge because USC signed five linemen in the 2015 class. That could be a deterrent for 2016 recruits who want immediate playing time.

No need to panic. Signing day remains eight months away.

What about Serra safety Brandon Burton, who has an SC offer?

— Warren Hodges, @wohesq1

Gardena Serra’s Brandon Burton, 6 feet and 185 pounds, could play receiver and safety.

Burton has more than 15 offers but has not named favorites.

He attended multiple USC practices during the spring and is familiar with the team and coaching staff.

USC will have six former Serra players on the roster this fall, including quarterback Jalen Greene, defensive lineman Rasheem Green, linebackers Olajuwon Tucker and John Houston and cornerbacks Adoree’ Jackson and Jalen Jones.

We went to the spring game and our 5-year-old sent a couple of letters to his favorite players and we were wondering what numbers Iman Marshall and Porter Gustin are going to wear?

— The Soto family

The USC roster has not been updated to include incoming freshmen. We might not know what numbers Marshall and Gustin will wear until training camp in August.

Questions or comments about USC? Email me at LNThiry@gmail.com or tweet @LindseyThiry and I will respond to select messages in a weekly USC Now mailbag.