The difference between a No. 6 recruiting class and a No. 5 recruiting class isn’t that big of a deal, but when we think about differentials in class rankings, a larger conversation is necessary.
One spot in the recruiting rankings doesn’t matter. That isn’t going to destroy or transform identities and reputations. However, if we were to offer a hypothetical in which USC finishes with the No. 8 class for 2024, compared to the No. 3 class, does that matter?
We asked Tim Prangley, co-host — with Rick Anaya — of Trojan Conquest Live, a YouTube show which airs Sundays at 8 p.m. Eastern and 5 p.m. Pacific at The Voice of College Football.
Trojans Wire: How much does it matter if USC has a top-10 class for 2024, compared to a top-five class?
Tim Prangley: In recent years, the top 10 high school classes do not compete well with the top five classes, the exception to this being Clemson in 2016 and 2018. If you want to compete with champions like Alabama, UGA, and Ohio State, you need to recruit like them. However, the way Riley utilizes the transfer portal to shape the roster and fill gaps may challenge that rule.
Regardless, the recent dominant champions, Alabama and Georgia, recruit often in the top three and always in the top five. Pete Carroll’s classes, from 2003-2009, were always in the top four, with the exception of a smaller class in 2008 when they finished No. 7. USC must recruit top-five classes or continue to sign elite players from the transfer portal to supplement top 7-8 classes if they want to regain the dominance they had under Pete Carroll.
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