Five potential instant contributors from USC football’s 2019 recruiting class

USC football’s 2019 recruiting class doesn’t have the hype of classes in the past, but there are still several players who could have an immediate impact on the Trojans.

USC football has quite a few holes to fill in 2019, not just in the starting lineup, where there are major departures, but also in contributing roles in general.

The newest Trojans from the class of 2019 will have their shot to step into those roles as the offseason plays out.

Here is a look at five 2019 additions who have a great shot at early playing time:

Jude Wolfe

As an early enrollee, it already felt as though St. John Bosco’s Jude Wolfe would have a strong chance to break into the lineup at tight end, but Clay Helton’s comments on Signing Day added extra weight to that feeling.

Helton was quick to point out that one of the things he liked best about Graham Harrell’s Air Raid offense was his willingness to use “12 personnel,” which features two tight ends.

If USC does intend to deploy two-tight end sets, then there are only so many players who could fill those spots. The Trojans return Josh Falo, Erik Krommenhoek and Daniel Imatorbhebhe, but the latter is still dealing with his lengthy injury issues. He is not participating in winter workouts, Helton revealed, which adds further doubt over his future availability.

Wolfe is one of two tight ends USC has added this recruiting cycle, but Orange Lutheran’s Ethan Rae is coming off a season-ending knee injury and may not be healthy by the start of the season.

With a head start participating in spring ball and very limited depth at the position, the four-star tight end seems primed for action, especially because he already boasts good size at 6-foot-5, 250 pounds coming out of high school.