Clay Helton reveals two new offensive linemen who have stood out for USC football

After two days of practice, Clay Helton is already very impressed by the physical maturity of two new USC football offensive linemen.

USC football may have to accept the fact that true freshmen could get playing time on the offensive line in 2020.

Luckily for the Trojans, Clay Helton has already had cause to highlight a couple of standouts from the 2020 recruiting haul.

Jonah Monheim and Courtland Ford have caught the eye of the head coach.

“They’ve shown a good physical maturity right off the bat,” Helton said on Monday after the Trojans completed their first weekend of full-team practices.

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Monheim was the top-rated lineman in USC’s 2020 recruiting class as a four-star guard out of Moorpark. He still has some weigh to gain — he’s currently listed at 290 pounds — but it may not be long before he begins to battle for a spot in the rotation.

Ford was a three-star tackle out of Cedar Hill, Texas. He had all the makings to be a top-tier prospect with a 6-foot-5, 305-pound frame. However, the recruiting rankings never quite caught on.

The fact that Ford flew under the radar could ultimately be to USC’s benefit if the youngster can earn some early playing time.

Clay Helton has high hopes for several more of USC football’s young linemen

While Monheim and Ford look the most like being involved as true freshmen, other offensive linemen have left a good impression.

“I really think Casey Collier has a tremendously bright future,” Helton said. “Almost 6-foot-8 and moving extremely well. When he gains additional strength in the weight room I think there’s going to be a talented, talented individual.”

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Collier was another three-star tackle out of Texas who didn’t rate highly for recruiting services but his undeniable size prompted the Trojans to take a chance on him.