USC Football News: National Recruiting Director Favors Oklahoma for Four-Star USC Target Running Back

Not a good sign for your Trojans

The USC Trojans have among the best 2024 recruiting classes in the nation, ranking at number six. The Trojans could use all the help they can get as they will compete in one of the most competitive conferences in the country, the Big 10, next season. 

USC has landed a ton of great talent thus far, and they have a chance to add to that with Texas four-star running back Taylor Tatum. Tatum is set to decide on July 21st between the University of Oklahoma and Southern California. 

If Taylor were to leave Texas for California, that would be a major win for the Trojans and put them close to the number one recruiting class in the nation. However, things don't look like they'll go their way, at least according to national recruiting director for Rivals, Adam Gorney. 

From what he heard, Gorney said Taylor may have shifted from USC to Oklahoma. 

“If this question was asked of me in the spring or even into early June, I would have said that Tatum was almost a near-lock to USC. He had taken visits out to California, loved the environment and the vibe around the program and coach Lincoln Riley’s offense could be a perfect fit for him.

“But in recent weeks my opinion has totally shifted to Oklahoma. One of the biggest reasons is because of location as Tatum as Norman is a decent drive but five hours is very doable and there could be some concerns that while he loves USC it might just be too far for him. His relationship with DeMarco Murray is great, playing in the SEC is great and the location is better. I’m picking the Sooners.”

(via Rivals)

At the end of the day, this is one man's opinion, but it happens to be the opinion of a well-known and respected insider. 

Taylor is from Longview, Texas, which is just four hours away from Norman, Oklahoma, home of the Sooners. Being close to home matters to some recruits, which may be the case for Tatum. However, what are his priorities, to stay close to home and play for one of the best college programs in the nation or go to California and play for THE best college program in the country and compete for a national championship? 

It's all a mystery right now, as Tatum is the only person who could answer that question. Nonetheless, we'll find out soon enough where he will end up, and hopefully, for Trojan fans' sake, he come west and play for Coach Lincoln Riley. 

We'll find out this Friday.