Recruits come out for USC’s Rising Stars camp
USC Coach Steve Sarkisian looks on from behind the line of scrimmage at the Trojans’ annual spring game at the Coliseum on April 11.
USC’s Rising Stars camp was open to the public for the first time since 2009 on Wednesday, just in time to watch what was possibly one of the camp’s best turnouts in recent years.
USC’s camps were closed as part of NCAA sanctions that were imposed in June of 2010 and the school opted to leave them closed last year, after the sanctions ended.
Trojans commits in the 2016 recruiting class who participated in Day 1 of the two-day camp included: Glendora High quarterback Matt Fink, Lancaster Paraclete running back Melquise Stovall, Saraland (Ala.) receiver Velus Jones, Suwanee (Ga.) North Gwinnet receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe, Ann Arbor (Mich.) Skyline linebacker Daelin Hayes, Honolulu (Hawaii) St. Louis School linebacker Jordan Iosefa and Santa Ana Mater Dei offensive lineman Frank Martin.
North Torrance linebacker and Trojans commit Mique Juarez made an unofficial visit to campus, but did not play in the camp.
Two out-of-state recruits made standout plays during the morning session.
Cornerback Nigel Knott, from Madison, Miss., broke up a few passes and receiver Freddie Swain, from Citra, Fla., made several receptions.
Knott included USC in a recently released list of his top 10 schools. Swain has narrowed his list of offers to seven and included USC.
Two of USC’s top targets on the defensive line were also in attendance: Keyshon Camp from Lake Gibson, Texas, and Antwuan Jackson from Cedar Grove, Ga.
La Puente Bishop Amat receiver Tyler Vaughns, who has included USC in his list of top 11 schools, arrived to play in the afternoon session.
Gardena Serra cornerback C.J. Pollard, the son of former Trojans defensive back Marvin Pollard, also worked out in the afternoon.
Two recruits in the 2017 class received offers after participating -- cornerback Thomas Graham from Rancho Cucamonga and offensive lineman Austin Jackson from Phoenix.
Tua Tagovailoa, one of three quarterbacks in 2017 with a USC offer, made the trip from Hawaii to participate. He traded reps with Fink.
Fontana Summit running back and Trojans 2017 commit Stephen Carr played in the morning session.
And running back Najee Harris, an Alabama commit from Antiochm Calif., also participated.
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
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