Trojans make top 5 for a top tight end target

On3 imageby:Erik McKinney05/22/20

ErikTMcKinney

USC is in the market for a tight end in the 2021 class, as the Trojans are scheduled to say goodbye to three seniors following the 2020 season. On Friday, USC coaches remained in the mix for one of their top targets, as Terrance Ferguson (Littleton, Colo./Heritage) included the Trojans among his top five schools.

Auburn, Oregon, USC, Tennessee and Wisconsin remain in the mix for the 6-foot-5, 230-pound four-star prospect.

https://twitter.com/Tf3four/status/1263883924293345286?s=20

Arizona State, Ohio State, Penn State, Texas A&M and Washington were dropped from his top 10.

Ferguson is a big-time threat down the field and has 123 catches for 1,901 yards the past two season. He works as a big wide receiver and would be a very intriguing addition to the USC roster.

USC likely needs a tight end in this class, as the Trojans are scheduled to lose three seniors off the 2020 roster, and tight ends coach John David Baker has been aggressive in recruiting Ferguson and a handful of other targets. And tight end is an interesting position in this USC offense, as it was responsible for just 15 receptions last season.

However, in a recent highlight video showcasing the tight end position and promoted by Baker, Drake London was featured in a prominent role. Baker and USC offensive coordinator Graham Harrell have said they felt that having a fourth wide receiver in London on the field last year made the offense work better than putting out a tight end in that position. But it seems fairly clear that USC could be using London's success in that role to recruit Ferguson, a player who could seemingly operate as a big receiver.

Ferguson would also seemingly pair well with Jack Yary, a tight end who signed with USC in the 2020 recruiting class. While Yary is a very good receiver, he's also a terrific blocker and a combination of Yary and Ferguson down the line would give the USC offense plenty of talent with which to work.

USC will lose Daniel Imatorbhebhe, Erik Krommenhoek (photo above) and Josh Falo from the roster following the 2020 season, leaving Yary, along with Ethan Rae and Jude Wolfe, who signed with USC in the 2019 recruiting class but redshirted the 2019 season.

Ferguson is also a very talented basketball player, as he averaged 9.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and two rebounds per game as a junior. He uses those basketball skills well on the football field, as he's able to consistently out-jump defenders and uses his hands well to give himself a wide catch radius.

Ferguson is the nation's No. 14 overall tight end prospect. USC is also in the mix for the nation's No. 18 tight end recruit, Lake McRee (Austin, Texas/Lake Travis). Oregon at this point looks like the favorite for tight end Moliki Matavao (Henderson, Nev./Liberty), an early USC target who did not include the Trojans in his initial top-10 list.

You may also like