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Closing in on the start of Fall Camp, Steve Sarkisian and company continue their tremendous pursuit of top athletes in the newly-loaded recruiting class. The Trojans made the biggest news of the weekend landing 2016 four-star prospect Daelin Hayes (West Bloomfield, MI.), giving USC their first verbal commitment.
After visiting the University of Southern California earlier this month, Hayes officially announced his verbal commitment on Saturday. Hayes, who played both OLB and RB last season, is rated as the No. 6 outside linebacker in the class of 2016 and the No. 1 overall player in the state of Michigan according to 247sports.com
Hayes had previously been considering schools such as Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Penn State before committing to the Trojans as an outside linebacker prospect. While on the same visit, Hayes was joined by 2016 All-American running back Mike Weber who was enamored by his recent offer from USC's coaching staff.
Beyond Blessed to announce that I have Committed to play football at the University Southern California #FightOn ✌️ pic.twitter.com/LSwuknF3kE
— ⚡️Daelin Hayes⚡️ (@DaelinHayes_24) July 26, 2014
PROSPECT HIGHLIGHTS
"Everything from start to finish was hands down amazing," Hayes told Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports.com. "USC is the perfect fit for me as a student, as a player and as a person."
Steve Sarkisian's 2015 recruiting class meanwhile, continues to rise in the ESPN.com Prospect Rankings. The Trojans 12-man recruiting class now sits 16th overall, just behind cross-town rival UCLA and Notre Dame. Nick Saban and Lane Kiffin lead the pack with 19 overall recruits (16 four-stars) narrowly in front of fellow SEC foe Texas A&M.
For the first time in three years the Trojans have a reloaded recruiting class, which means coach Sarkisian and company still have plenty of talented prospects in their sight; including some talented four-and-five star recruits. Here is our in-depth look at USC's biggest needs, targets and gems in the 2015 recruiting class.
SB Nation Reports: No. 6 Terry Beckner Jr., No. 17 Rasheem Green, No. 18 Keisean Lucier-South, No. 20 Iman Marshall, No. 54 Equanimeous St. Brown, No. 87 John Houston Jr. and No. 101 Marvell Tell are all players high on USC's board.