USC Trojans

With just about four months to go until USC opens the 2013 season, the Trojans are currently sitting smack-dab in the offseason doldrums. And while it’s a relatively quiet stretch of the year, it’s vital in terms of player development. And for the USC defensive back corps, the coming months figure to be even more important than usual. After all, the unit had a ton of question marks heading into the spring, and even after 15 practices, not all of them were answered. With that in mind, here are some of the most intriguing storylines of the offseason for USC's secondary.

The search continues at CB

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Holding more than 40 offers, running back Joe Mixon (Oakley, Calif./Freedom) is arguably the most sought-after recruit in the West region. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound, four-star back is the top running back in the West and the No. 135 player in the country. His offer sheet has seemingly grown by the minute this spring, but he isn't in any hurry to narrow it down.

Despite tweeting out a list of 16 programs several weeks ago, Mixon said Sunday that he only did that to highlight the schools recruiting him the hardest, not anything to be taken as a group of finalists.

"I'm still talking to a lot of people," Mixon said. "The recruiting thing has been crazy the past couple of weeks. I've pretty much been taking it well. I talk to them before school, during lunch and after school. I'm not to the stressful part yet, but the hard part has been staying in contact with everybody."

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Cornerback Adarius Pickett (El Cerrito, Calif./El Cerrito) is spending this spring collecting offer after offer from Pac-12 programs, but it hasn't sped up the recruiting process for the 6-foot, 185-pound athlete.

After taking a weekend trip to Los Angeles that saw him compete in the Passing Down Best of the West tournament and take unofficial visits to UCLA and USC, Pickett said he isn't concerning himself with top groups or leaders.

"As of right now, I don't know what school is standing out," Pickett said. "I still have offers coming in, so I still have to keep thinking about that."

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

The Pac-12 has been kind to ESPN 150 cornerback Nick Watkins (Dallas/Bishop Dunne). Of his 26 offers, four are from the power conference. On Monday, he added an offer from one of the most recognizable programs of the Pac-12.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Three-star defensive tackle Peyton Newell (Hiawatha, Kan./Hiawatha) might not attend a big-name school or reside in a pipeline state, but with more than 30 scholarship offers stacked up, he’s one of the most highly sought prospects in the Midwest.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider