Reign of Troy
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USC Football Recruiting: Quick Look at 2019 Prospects

By Rick McMahan

Nov 19, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans head coach Clay Helton reacts in the second half of the game against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl. USC won 36-14. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans head coach Clay Helton reacts in the second half of the game against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl. USC won 36-14. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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USC football recruiting for the class of 2018 is just starting to heat up, but it’s never too early to peak ahead to next year’s crop of prospects for 2019.

With the 2018 recruiting cycle barely in its infancy, you may be wondering if it is too early to get a jump on the 2019 recruiting season.

Of course not.

Although this year’s prep football season has yet to begin, strong football programs are already casting their eyes beyond 2018 and you can count the recruiting brain trust at USC football among them.

In fact, the Trojans have already extended more than 20 offers to these soon-to-be junior players and have received a commitment from De’Gabriel Floyd, a good-looking athlete who hails from Hawkins High School in Los Angeles, CA.

While recruiting in general is a fluid process—which means looking two years down the road is even more so—there are tidbits of information that can be gleaned which can be of benefit for those who care about such things.

So, let’s play “Nostradamus” and peer way down the road at some possible prospects who may don the cardinal and gold in the future.

Note: All statistics, including level of interest are provided by 247Sports.com

Raymond Woodie III (N/R Dual Threat QB; Tampa, FL)

There was a time when five-star quarterback JT Daniels was considered to be a heavy lean to USC but that seems to have changed as 247Sports now has Daniels interest in the Trojans deemed as “cool.”

To hedge their bet, USC has offered unrated quarterback Raymond Woodie III and the 6-foot-1, 185 pound gunslinger has reciprocated in kind with the Trojans being the only one listed as “warm” among his 10 offers.

Woodie III is an extremely intriguing prospect who is very athletic and may or may not wind up at quarterback when all is said and done.

Jonah Tauanu’u (4-Star Offensive Guard; Harbor City, CA)

USC has garnered a strong reputation with Polynesian players and this, plus the fact that offensive guard Jonah Tauanu’u is a local product, means that the Trojans are in a very good place to land the talented 2019 prospect.

Tauanu’u is very athletic for an interior lineman and, at 6-foot-5, 275 pounds, has the perfect frame to be successful at the next level.

Though Tauanu’u only has four offers as of this writing, he can boast one of those being from LSU and there will be many more to follow for sure.

USC leads for Tauanu’u’s services with 100 percent of 247Sports “crystal balls” and the Trojans will not ease up their interest in him as time passes.

Kayvon Thibodeaux (5-Star Defensive End; Los Angeles, CA)

Okay, this is the big one…not only is Kayvon Thibodeaux rated at the top of his position but according to 247Sports.com, he is the No. 1 prospect at any position in the nation.

At 6-foot-5, 235 pounds, Thibodeaux has the frame to fill out at the next level and his athleticism is completely off of the charts as evidenced by his perfect 1.000 rating by 247Sports.

Thibodeaux has the opportunity to be a truly transformation player at his position and right now he is considered a heavy lean to the Trojans but watch out for Alabama among his 23 (and counting) offers.

Max Williams (4-Star Cornerback; Gardena, CA)

Serra high school has long been a pipeline to USC and this is where Max Williams plies his trade as a very talented cornerback—a position of continuing need for the Trojans.

At 5-foot-10, 175 pounds, Williams is still growing but is very mobile and shows great instincts at the position.

Also considered a strong lean to USC, Williams boasts more than 20 offers and Trojan fans should watch out for Nebraska, Oklahoma and Florida State, programs that will continue to pursue Williams until he signs his LOI.

With recruiting being such a competitive process these days, it should come as no surprise that USC is pursuing players that will not see the field of play in college until 2019.

In fact, the Trojans have already extended offers to players in the 2020 class and a few have expressed serious interest to USC.

However, in the interest of viable prognostication, that is one article that will have to wait at least year to be written.