Impact Analysis: Porter Gustin

USC is setting itself up for a linebacker class for the ages and they don't come any bigger - literally and figuratively - than Salem Hills, Utah native Porter Gustin, who committed to the Trojans on Tuesday at a ceremony at his high school.

Gustin is listed at 6-foot-5, 237 pounds and is every bit of that, if not even bigger. What makes him a five-star prospect, as well as Rivals' top-ranked inside linebacker in the country, is how well he moves at his size. Gustin isn't the type of player who will make a living in coverage like Osa Masina, his fellow Beehive State native and future teammate at USC. But he's got plenty of straight line speed for a big man and he's more fluid than most prospects his size, too. Gustin excels as a downhill player. He'll clean up the trash in the run game but perhaps his greatest strength is rushing the passer, and it's easy to envision him bulking up to the 270-pound range in his time at USC.

To that end, the biggest question is what position he'll ultimately play for Steve Sarkisian. USC has recruited him as an inside linebacker and we have no trouble envisioning him being successful if he does wind up there. But the Trojans already have Rivals 250 linebacker Cameron Smith on campus, who profiles as a textbook middle linebacker himself. Moreover, with Gustin's frame having so much projection left, the possibility exists that he outgrows middle linebacker entirely, if not now then before he leaves campus.

Factor in his pass rushing-prowess and his best position may well be rush end. Not only does it jive will his skill set but the Trojans have a huge need at there with JR Tavai and his co-team-leading seven sacks off to the NFL. Scott Felix and Charles Burks are the returning players at the position but the former has been inconsistent throughout his USC tenure while the latter profiles as a role player heading into his final season. Jabari Ruffin is the wildcard and could wind up playing here if Su'a Cravens sticks at SAM linebacker, but he's working his way back from a knee injury that caused him to miss the entire 2014 season.

The point is, playing time is available at rush end and Gustin has the skill set to be an immediate impact player getting after the quarterback. We'd be surprised if he's not on the field from the very beginning of his Trojan career.