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USC Football Recruiting: Can Trojans Get Theo Howard?

By Hank Shaw

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The 2016 USC football recruiting class looks to gain another member this week, as wide receiver longtime Trojan lean Tyler Vaughns will make his decision on Wednesday. But he’s not the only name making waves, as fellow receiver Theo Howard is back on the market.

RELATED: Five Positions of Need in USC’s 2016 Recruiting Class

Howard, a four-star wideout from Westlake High School in Thousand Oaks, de-committed from Oregon on Sunday. That seemingly puts the Trojans right in the mix for the 16th ranked receiver in the 247Sports Composite, along with rival UCLA.

But can USC seriously haul in Howard, one of Southern California’s vaunted crop of receivers? Yes, though there might have to be some shuffling due to the immense number of receivers that the Trojans currently have committed.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Assuming Vaughns commits on Wednesday as expected, USC will have five receivers in the 2016 class.

That includes locks Josh Imatorbhebhe and Vaughns, potential two-way players Trevon Sidney and Michael Pittman, and then all-purpose three-star receiver Velus Jones Jr. out of Alabama.

It would seem incredibly unlikely that the Trojans would take as many as six receivers, especially with Florida product and USC target Freddie Swain still on the board.

So in order for Howard to be a realistic option, the receiver class would presumably need some attrition via a de-commitment or a position change. As mentioned, the latter is a possibility. And of course, the former can never be counted out.

Just last year, USC had commitments from receivers Taeon Mason, Desean Holmes and Tristan Payton. They signed with San Jose State, San Diego State and UCF, respectively.

When it comes to Howard, he’s highly regarded enough of a player that would suggest that USC would find a way to make room for him if he wanted to be a Trojan.

How that happens is the question. And for now, with just under six months from Signing Day, that’s a situation you expect to be in. A lot can change.

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