
Dec 12, 2020; Pasadena, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Clay Helton watches from the sidelines in the fourth quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl. USC defeated UCLA 43-38. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2020; Pasadena, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Clay Helton watches from the sidelines in the fourth quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl. USC defeated UCLA 43-38. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Clay Helton found himself on the hot seat to begin the 2020 season, but after making the Pac-12 title game in a shortened COVID-19-influenced year, his job is pretty safe — for now.
Everything was pointing towards him being out of a job following the 2020 season after a disappointing 2019 campaign and No. 64 ranked recruiting class in the nation. Now, USC is fresh off a title game appearance and the Trojans have the eighth-best recruiting class for 2021 and No. 2 in the Pac-12, according to 247Sports.
Who is still left on the board for the Trojans as National Signing Day approaches?
Right now, Ole Miss is the top contender to land four-star defensive tackle Tywone Malone from New Jersey, but Texas A&M, Florida State, Rutgers and Tennessee are also in the running. It’s pretty obvious he has plenty of potential suitors so this will be a tough one for USC.
Malone is one of the best uncommitted players in the entire country right now, ranked the No. 59 overall prospect and sixth-best defensive tackle, according to the composite. He’s also New Jersey’s No. 1 recruit.
At 6-foot-3.5 and 300 pounds, Malone has the size to be a disruptive force up front as he was throughout his high school career. There’s a reason he’s so highly coveted with signing day just a few days away. Sure, Ole Miss has the best odds to land him, but about 5-6 other teams feel they truly have a shot and USC is one of them.
Will they? I’m doubtful.