Banner Day for USC Recruiting

On the day all-American safety T.J. McDonald announced he would return for his senior seasion, greatly improving the Trojan's short-term look, the Trojan's managed to sign four of the most highly coveted recruits in the nation, making their long-term future look just as good.

Junior college standouts Gerald Bowman and Morgan Breslin signed letters of intent with USC. Both will enroll in classes this spring and participate in practices.

The Trojans also signed a pair of high school recruits. Outside linebacker Scott Star from Norco High School and offensive tackle Chad Wheeler from Santa Monica. Both are also expected to gradutate a semester early and enroll in classes this spring.

Bowman was the No. 2 junior college recruit in the nation. The 6-1, 215-pound safety from Pierce CC in Woodland Hills chose the Trojans over Oklahoma and Miami (FL) and is expected to make an immediate impact.

Breslin is a 6-3, 245-pound defensive end from Diablo Valley Junior College in Pleasant Hill, where he led the state junior colleges in sacks and tackles for losses the past two seasons.

"Morgan's last-minute decision to change to USC (from UCLA) was very critical to us because Nick Perry left early to go to the NFL," said USC coach Lane Kiffin. "After an extremely productive two-year junior college career, he will raise the competition level on our defensive line."

Starr was considered a top-10 outside linebacker recruit in the country. The 6-3, 230-pounder made 96 tackles for Norco this past fall. Star had verbally committed on May 30, but had not officially signed prior to today.

The 6-6, 265-pound Wheeler is not as highly touted as the day's other three signees, having missed part of his senior season with a shoulder injury.