USC Recruiting: Trojans Add Three-Star, Lose Out on Four-Star Prospect

College Football may be in the midst of a small dead period from now until the end of next week, the back-and-forth battles taking place for talented players continues to sweep recruiting nation.

In a week filled with plenty of iconic moments, whether it be Tim Howard literally saving the day for the USMNT or your firework-filled 4th of July festivities on Friday, the talk surrounding the next group of Trojans parading the Coliseum grass certainly peaks passionate following from the Red, White and Blue to the iconic Cardinal and Gold.

While the Trojans recruiting class is certainly loaded with talented prospects, the Duke Blue Devils may have stolen the spotlight for a brief moment by nabbing local four-star tight end Tyler Petite (Moraga, Calif.) on Wednesday.

Excited to finally announce my commitment to Duke University! Thanks to all who helped along the way! #dukegang2015

— Tyler Petite (@TylerPetite) July 2, 2014

USC was considered the heavy favorite to land the pass-catching targets services leading up to his announcement. Petite visited USC's Rising Stars Camp just last week and was said to have impressed with his 6-foot-5 size and 4.6 40-yard dash speed darting across Cromwell Field. Props to David Sutcliffe and his recruiting team over at Duke, but the Trojans definitely missed out on a solid tight end prospect who could've perfectly complemented four-star freshman Bryce Dixon.

Some good news came later as three-star offensive tackle Clayton Johnston (Anaheim, Calif.) announced his commitment to the Trojan cause, joining a long list of talented lineman brought in by Tim Drevno. USC's offensive line coach eyed Johnston from the second he took over the job and continues to dominate in landing kids from California.

I am very excited to say that I will be committing to the University of Southern California @ServiteSports @CoachDrev pic.twitter.com/d0uGI0cMbo

— Clayton Johnston (@Clayton_J96) July 2, 2014

Johnston made his decision over Pac-12 squads Cal, ASU, and Arizona, opting to say closest to home as he now begins his senior season, which will be filled with plenty of physical tests. Servite will face the defending national champions St. John Bosco, current USC Track and Field recruit Randall Cunninghman II who also plays quarterback for Bishop Gorman, along with perennial power De La Salle High School.

What the last recruit hints at in his recruitment process was the entire package USC could deliver, and now feels the best is yet to come for the entire football program. "I definitely think with Coach Sark, we're going to have a winning program, because of all the players he's bringing in at all positions," Johnston told 247sports.com Scott Shrader. "There are some big-time recruits that he has signed, have committed and I think we're going to be a force to be reckoned with."

USC's current 9-man recruiting class moved back up to 19th overall with today's addition, according to Rivals.com. The Trojans still don;t have no tight end prospects in the 2015 class however, but with 16 offers left on the table and some flexible targets like De'Quan Hampton on the books, coach Sarkisian could find his pass-catching option very soon.