USC coach Clay Helton and his staff have worked tirelessly to build a 2021 recruiting class that is ranked No. 8 in the country, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings.
Considering that USC only had one top-300 recruit in the class of 2020, the 2021 class is vitally important for this program’s continued success.
However – the cancellation of the 2020 season is not going to do this team any favors on the recruiting trail, and could in fact convince some of the incoming 2021 recruits to look elsewhere – potentially damaging this team’s long-term future.
Helton’s job security has been an oft-discussed topic in recent years, and a successful 2020 season would have helped alleviate some of those concerns – which likely would have made incoming recruits feel far more comfortable.
No high school kid wants to go to a school where the entire coaching staff could be replaced any minute, and without a 2020 season it’s entirely possible some incoming recruits will feel compelled to decommit and look elsewhere if they are worried about Helton’s future.
Elsewhere, on the defensive side of the ball, 2020 was a great opportunity for new defensive coordinator Todd Orlando to show off his new scheme, which may help incoming defensive players feel more comfortable with their decision.
That’s not to say recruits are guaranteed to decommit without a season in place, but it does toss a lot more uncertainty into the air – and a top-10 recruiting class in 2021 is vital for this program’s success and the job security of Helton and his staff.
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