Recruiting Rumblings: New DL coach Vic So'oto expands USC's recruiting turf

What's become clear these last couple week is that USC's new defensive coaches aren't hesitating to pursue any prospects that pique their interest -- regardless of competing offers, regardless of existing commitments and especially regardless of geography.

New Trojans offers have been dropping across Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania -- areas USC hasn't recruited much at all in recent cycles -- in addition to the familiar southeast and Texas pursuits that remain aggressive as well.

New defensive line coach Vic So'oto, who joined the Trojans from Virginia, has led the charge in that region. Some are prospects So'oto was recruiting with the Cavaliers, and some are fresh contacts as So'oto looks like he might prove to be a real impact addition to the recruiting efforts.

Ryan Barnes, a cornerback from Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg, Md., got on the phone with So'oto and safeties coach Craig Naivar earlier this week to learn he had a USC offer to consider now.

"It is very exciting for me. I am very thankful for the opportunity to get such a big offer," Barnes told TrojanSports.com, noting he had not talked with So'oto previously. "Coach So’oto said that in watching my film, I looked athletic and I was very physical in the run game."

Barnes is rated a 3-star prospect and has an extensive offer list more than 20 suitors already, including traditional powers from the ACC, SEC, Big 10, Big 12 and now Pac-12.

USC is jumping in early enough, though, as Barnes' recruitment remains wide open.