College Football Recruiting: What to make of way-too-early 2020 rankings

The writing is on the wall at USC

Clay Helton’s tenure at USC is drawing to a close more quickly with every passing day. The Trojans haven’t finished outside the Top 11 in the 247 Sports era, dating back to the early 2000’s. Not only did their 2018 class fail to deliver (No. 20), the Trojans sit well outside the Top 25 in the early 2020 ranks at No. 31.

USC has two commitment from a member of the 2020 class: Bryce Young, the nation’s No. 1 dual-threat quarterback, and kicker Parker Lewis.

More: The story behind USC – How and why college football powerhouses fall

On one hand, National Signing Day is still extremely close in the rearview mirror. Few schools have more than a few commitments, much less ones the caliber of someone like Young. On the other, this is USC. The Trojans should have enough history and swagger to draw a flock of California’s best into the fold, even a year removed from the next signing period.

Perhaps it’s just early. More than likely though this is a window into public perception. Not only is Helton on the hot seat, but recruits also don’t have enough faith to commit to one of the most prestigious programs in the history of the sport.