Reign of Troy
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USC Football Recruiting: 4-Star TE Tyler Johnson Names Top 14

By Alicia de Artola

Oct 17, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Southern California Trojans interim coach Clay Helton and tight end Taylor McNamara (48) before a NCAA football game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Southern California Trojans interim coach Clay Helton and tight end Taylor McNamara (48) before a NCAA football game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Four-star tight end Tyler Johnson, one of the top recruits at his position for 2017, named USC football among his top 14 schools Thursday.

Tyler Johnson, a four-star tight end out of Gilbert, Arizona announced his top 14 on Twitter Thursday, listing a variety of contenders from across the nation.

“It’s getting closer and closer,” Johnson wrote along with a graphic showing the logos of USC, Arizona, Washington, Pitt, UCLA, Louisville, Miami, Michigan, Alabama, Michigan State, Nebraska, Texas, Arizona State and Florida.

Johnson’s western roots mean the Pac-12 is well represented in the schools he is considering — five representatives are more than any other conference in his top 14. Still, the 247 Sports crystal ball predictions have three experts projecting him to head to the Big 10 with Michigan State.

The No. 6 tight end in the class per 247 Sports’ composite, Johnson serves as a wide receiver-half back and defensive end for Highland. His frame is large at 6-foot-4, 245 pounds and his role as a runner in the offense means he’s capable of making plays with the ball in his hands.

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USC has been steadily rebuilding their tight end group with transfers like Taylor McNamara and Daniel Imatorbhebhe from Oklahoma and Florida respectively.

The Trojans have had decent success recruiting top tight ends as well with Tyler Petite and Cary Angeline, both four-star recruits, joining in consecutive years.

The class of 2017 doesn’t feature any tight end commits as of yet, though three-star athlete Randal Grimes from Las Vegas may have the size at 6-foot-4 to transition into that role if needed.

As it stands, USC’s current class features eight commits — Grimes, running back Stephen Carr, safety Bubba Bolden, wide receiver Marlon Williams, linebackers Daniel Green and Juliano Falaniko, and recent offensive line additions Brett Beilon and Andrew Vorhees.