USC Trojans Lose another 5-Star Commit with North Torrance’s Mique Juarez

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The tumbling dice after Steve Sarkisian’s reported alcohol related incident on Sunday and subsequent firing on Monday has already had a damaging effect on the USC program. Since Sunday’s embarrassing episode, two 5-star players have de-committed with the possibility of more at play.

On Tuesday, 5-star North High School linebacker Mique Juarez de-committed joining 5-star linebacker/defensive end Daelin Hayes’ decision on Sunday.

USC still has 14 verbal commitments to their 2016 class, eight of which are considered 4-star recruits; OL Frank Martin, WR Tyler Vaughns, OL Nathan Smith, SS C.J. Pollard, WR Michael Pittman, WR Josh Imatorbhebhe, WR Velus Jones, and WR Trevon Sidney. Chances are USC will not be able to make a move on a new head coach until mid or late December leaving the class open for other top programs to pick from in the meantime.

UCLA has pushed hard for Juarez in the past and Notre Dame hosted Hayes over Labor Day weekend for the Texas game. The next two-three months will be pivotal for the Trojans to land a top of the line coach and keep some of the key recruiters on staff like Tee Martin and interim head coach Clay Helton.

USC Trojans 2016 Commitment List (14)

SS C.J. Pollard, 6’1”, 180 lbs, Junipero Serra HS, Gardena, California

LB Jordan Iosefa, 6’2”, 216 lbs, St. Louis HS, Honolulu, Hawaii

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

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

WR Trevon Sidney, 5’11”, 160 lbs, Bishop Amat HS, La Puente, California

WR Tyler Vaughns, 6’2”, 175 lbs, Bishop Amat HS, La Puente, California

 

Signed Financial Aid Agreement

LB Daelin Hayes, 6’4”, 250 lbs, Skyline HS, Ann Arbor, Michigan

SS C.J. Pollard, 6’1”, 180 lbs, Junipero Serra HS, Gardena, California

OT Nathan Smith, 6’7”, 264 lbs, Murrieta Mesa HS, Murrieta, California

 

De-committed

RB Melquise Stovall, 5’8”, 180 lbs, Paraclete HS, Lancaster, California

LB Daelin Hayes, 6’4”, 250 lbs, Skyline HS, Ann Arbor, Michigan

LB Mique Juarez, 6’2”, 222 lbs, North HS, Torrance, California

*players in bold de-committed after Steve Sarkisian’s announced incident.

Photo credit: jeffgarciafootball.com; No. 3 Mique Juarez.