USC Signing Day 2017: Five New Trojans Who Could Start as Freshmen

4. Bubba Bolden, S

The Trojans solidified things at safety on Signing Day by getting the signatures of both Bubba Bolden and Isaiah Pola-Mao. Both are talented, high-ceiling players who could see the field in 2017 as USC needs to replace Leon McQuay III.

Of the two, Bolden may have the inside track –though only slightly– as he’s the rangy, pacy safety most similar to McQuay.

But the competition won’t be easy. Redshirt senior Chris Hawkins could step back into the full-time job, leaving the remaining safeties on USC’s roster to fight for a place in the rotation behind he and returning starter Marvell Tell.

Having said that, with a quick enough settling in process from Bolden, Pendergast may be tempted to turn to the 6-foot-3, 192-pound safety out of Bishop Gorman for his size and physicality alongside Tell.

It’s no secret from the way Pendergast has recruited defensive backs this cycle that bigger is better, and Bolden –like the 6-foot-4 Pola-Mao– fits the mold.