LOS ANGELES -- There was plenty of hand wringing from USC fans heading into signing day 2016, as much of the recruiting momentum seemed to disappear over the past few weeks and there was no proven ace recruiter at head coach to build it back before Wednesday. But head coach Clay Helton is proving he can be just as good as Steve Sarkisian, who posted two masterful signing days with the Trojans.
Just a few hours into the day, the Trojans are sitting pretty, as USC went into Florida to flip ESPN 300 safety Jamel Cook away from Florida State, then shifted its attention across the country to pull running back Vavae Malepeai away from the Ducks. While that won't exactly make up for Oregon flipping former USC commit De'Anthony Thomas at the midnight hour of the 2011 class, it does serve as a big blow to the Ducks and gives the Trojans a four-star running back in this class. But the Trojans weren't done with flips, as there was a significant need to add bodies on the defensive line and USC went the junior college route, grabbing local defensive tackle Josh Fatu away from Boise State.
On the uncommitted side of things, USC received good news there as well, as high three-star defensive end Connor Murphy committed to the Trojans, over offers from Arizona State, Michigan, Oregon and others.
Beyond excited to announce that I'll continue my football career @ USC✌️ @USC_Athletics #FightOn #NationalSigningDay pic.twitter.com/pVkcuviUs9
— Connor Murphy (@CMurph_90) February 3, 2016
That likely won't be the end of the day for USC, as ESPN 300 cornerback Jack Jones is scheduled to announce at 1:30 PT with the Trojans looking like they are in good position there. ESPN JC 50 defensive end Jonathan Kongbo is also a possibility, as is ESPN 300 tight end Devin Asiasi.
USC began the day with the No. 16 recruiting class in the country, though that group is expected to rise throughout the day.
