USC Lands Class of 2016 Safety C.J. Pollard from Talent Rich Junipero Serra

Written by Ryan Wright

The recruiting riches just got richer for the USC Trojans on Thursday when they landed 4-star safety C.J. Pollard while attending The Opening.

Twelve teams in all offered the 6’1”, 180 pound, safety but the only perceived team in the mix all along was USC. Arizona State, Wisconsin, Utah, Oregon State, Oregon, Boston College, Duke, Illinois, San Jose State, and Michigan all offered.

Notre Dame, like many other schools, seemingly attempted to recruit the entire J-Serra team giving offers to defensive end Oluwole Betiku and defensive back Brandon Burton. At least five players from J-Serra are expected to sign with top D-I schools on National Signing Day. Linebacker Blake Walls has already committed to San Jose State and quarterback/athlete Khalil Tate has committed to Arizona.

USC has a track record of pulling recruits out of the Gardena area high school. Three prospects, 5-star linebacker John Houston, 5-star defensive end Rasheem Green, and 3-star wide receiver Deontay Burnett all signed with the Trojans in February.

The Trojans now have 15 verbal commitments to their 2016 recruiting class. The early impressive haul includes two 5-star athletes, linebackers Daelin Hayes and Mique Juarez, and six 4-star recruits; Stovall, Imatorbhebhe, Martin, Pittman, Smith, and now Pollard.

USC Trojans 2016 Commitment List
SS C.J. Pollard, 6’1”, 180 lbs, Junipero Serra HS, Gardena, California
LB Daelin Hayes, 6’4”, 250 lbs, Skyline HS, Ann Arbor, Michigan
LB Jordan Iosefa, 6’2”, 216 lbs, St. Louis HS, Honolulu, Hawaii
LB Mique Juarez, 6’2”, 222 lbs, North HS, Torrance, California
DE Liam Jimmons, 6’4”, 240 lbs, Huntington Beach HS, Huntington Beach, California
DE Keanu Saleapaga, 6’5”, 270 lbs, La Mirada HS, La Mirada, California
DT Keyshon Camp, 6’4”, 275 lbs, Lake Gibson, Lakeland, Florida
OT Frank Martin, 6’5”, 300 lbs, Mater Dei HS, Santa Ana, California
OT Nathan Smith, 6’7”, 264 lbs, Murrieta Mesa HS, Murrieta, California
TE Cary Angeline, 6’7”, 230 lbs, Dowingtown East HS, Exton, Pennsylvania
RB Melquise Stovall, 5’8”, 180 lbs, Paraclete HS, Lancaster, California
QB Matt Fink, 6’3”, 185 lbs, Glendora HS, Glendora, California
WR Josh Imatorbhebhe, 6’2”, 205 lbs, North Gwinnett HS, Suwanee, Georgia
WR Velus Jones Jr., 5’11”, 180 lbs, Saraland HS, Saraland, Alabama
WR Michael Pittman, 6’4”, 205 lbs, Oaks Christian HS, Thousand Oaks, California

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