USC LURES IN BIG TIME PLAYMAKER VAUGHNS

Tyler Vaughns of Bishop Amat, who is one of the top wide receivers in the Class of 2016, said no to offers from Alabama, Norte Dame and Georgia by committing to USC on Thursday, Aug. 19 (photo credit insidesocal.com). 

USC has loaded up on wide receivers for its already impressive 2016 recruiting class. But the Trojans reeled in one of the biggest fishes from the deep Los Angeles talent pool on Wednesday, Aug. 19: five-star wideout Tyler Vaughns of Bishop Amat (La Puente).

Vaughns, whose first offer came from the Trojans in April 2014, adds to a growing list of future targets at USC’s disposal. Athletes Treveon Sidney, Michael Pittman II, Josh Imatorbhebhe and Velus Jones are the other future perimeter playmakers heading to the Land of Troy.

Vaughns, though, is the most prized pickup for the following five reasons:

    

     1) He’s the lone five-star receiver from that group.

     2) At 6-foot-2 and 180-pounds, Vaughns is already a red zone/Hail Mary threat and he times his leaps just right to haul down the air ball.

      3) He plays the cerebral game against a cover cornerback; by locking into his eyes and then use a plant-and-go maneuver to fool where he's going and get his defender to lose his footing.

      4) He’s proven he can win against both man and double coverage while going toe-to-toe with some of the top powerhouses in Southern California.

     5) Lastly, Vaughns can catch anything from the jump ball to the throws heading underneath his torso.

While Vaughns adds a slippery elusiveness and tackle-breaking prowess in his game, he actually doesn’t look like the fastest guy on the field. What compensates for his lack of speed is his long strides after the catch, which makes him look like a cross country runner leading a marathon.

If USC keeps Vaughns between now and National Signing Day in Feb. 2016, he’ll be an instant impact player and possible early starter for the Trojan offense. He looks like a young A.J. Green of the Cincinnati Bengals.