USC hosting South Florida Express squad on unofficial visits

Seven-on-seven competition allows recruits from all parts of the country to face each other in game-like settings. It also allows some recruits to check out college campuses across the country and get in front of coaches that they might not normally see on visits. That’s exactly what’s taking place this weekend with USC and top prospects from the South Florida Express.

Around 20 of the top prospects on the South Florida Express roster will be in Los Angeles this weekend for a 7-on-7 competition. Before they battle on the field, they will be at USC on Friday for an unofficial visit.

While not all of the players on the roster are interested in the Trojans and vice versa, it’s important for Lincoln Riley and Co. to get top recruits like five-star receiver Carnell Tate of IMG Academy, five-star cornerback Cormani McClain of Lakeland (Fla.) Lake Gibson, five-star safety Tony Mitchell of Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson and four-star receiver Brandon Inniss of Miami Gardens (Fla.) American Heritage on campus.

“It’s huge,” Scott Schrader of On3’s WeAreSC said. “While some of these guys might not be into USC at this point, that could quickly change once they get on campus and see what Lincoln Riley’s program is all about. It could open up some doors that might have been previously closed.

“And the same is true about USC. They might get to know somebody that wasn’t previously on their radar and take a liking to them, too.”

WeAreSC has a full list of top targets from South Florida Express visiting on their website, and you can read more about the visitors here at this link.

Top USC receiving targets visiting

Brandon Inniss was a one-time pledge to Riley at Oklahoma. But after Riley left for USC, Inniss reopened his recruitment and is hearing from a number of programs.

But according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, it’s Riley who is in the pole position to bring the country’s No. 5 wide receiver to Los Angeles. The On3 RPM is trending heavily toward the Trojans, giving them a 79.6% chance to land Inniss. Miami trails in second in 10.2% with Florida in third at 2.2%.

He’s developed into one of the Trojans’ top receiving targets, so the trip — even if it’s a pitstop — is big for USC.

Another top Trojans’ receiving target is expected to be there on Friday with the South Florida Express is four-star receiver Hykeem Williams of Ft. Lauderdale Stranahan. Williams has a long list of suitors and more visits scheduled, including a trip to Pittsburgh next weekend and Georgia on March 25. USC was mentioned as one of Williams’ top eight schools on Feb. 7.

Can USC impress Carnell Tate, Cormani McClain?

Five-star prospects Carnell Tate and Cormani McClain have varying interests in USC, but the visit Friday could spark a change.

Tate has indicated an interest in USC in the past. But the Trojans seemingly have focused elsewhere. Meanwhile, McClain has a USC offer, but his interest in the Trojans has been lukewarm at best.

It’s somewhat the same story with five-star safety Tony Mitchell of Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson, who is also scheduled to be there with the South Florida Express.

The Trojans would love to get back involved with him. But like McClain, teams in the SEC, like Alabama and Georgia and others, are projected as the favorites in the On3 RPM for each player.

Another name to watch after the visit on Friday is four-star running back Mark Fletcher of American Heritage. Miami is the team to beat on his list, but the Trojans have offered.

“This weekend will provide Lincoln Riley and his staff a chance to close on a guy like Brandon Inniss,” Schrader said. “But it’ll also open the eyes of elite players like Hykeem Williams and Cormani McClain.”

You can read more about the South Florida Express visit on WeAreSC.