Recruiting Rumblings: The latest on Mason Murphy and USC's new OL targets

While USC is bringing in six offensive linemen this summer as part of its 2020 recruiting class, the Trojans want to keep adding to their depth and future at the position in 2021 and have doled out a few new offers to OL prospects in recent weeks.

But one of their key targets has held a Trojans offer since attending one of the program's elite camps last June, and 3-star JSerra prospect Mason Murphy says his USC recruitment is as active as ever.

"USC is recruiting me pretty hard, and I had a pretty long conversation with coach V [grad assistant Viane Talamaivao], the assistant O-line coach up there. He kind of broke it down for me the networks that USC has, and even if I don't make it to the league I think I have a chance of being very successful with the degree from 'SC as well," Murphy said.

(Read more from Murphy and interviews with three other recent USC OL offers below.)

Murphy has actually known Talamaivao for a number of years, so there is a trust level there, but the 6-foot-5, 287-pound prospect says he won't necessarily be basing his decision off who is or isn't on staff at a program.

Like he mentioned, academics are a major factor for him, so that part of USC's pitch resonates as much as any. It also doesn't hurt that the Trojans staff -- he also hears from OL coach Tim Drevno, WRs coach Keary Colbert, OC Graham Harrell and head coach Clay Helton -- has let him know he's a major priority.

"That I'm their No. 1 guy in the class of '21. They really want me, they really like me. So it's really great to have that opportunity," Murphy said.