Check out this video interview featuring current USC Trojans Jesse Scroggins (QB/2011), Dion Bailey (DB/2011) and Notre Dame defensive end turned linebacker Justin Utupo (DE/2011). CLA asked Bailey if he felt like he would be able to contribute early in his career at USC, and without hesitation, Dion outperformed all expectations after being named Pac-12 Defensive Freshmen of the Year in 2011. Bailey, along another LA area prep in Hayes Pullard (LB/2011), led the Trojans in tackles this season registering 81 total stops. Watch the video interview below:

It was 1999. I sat in the library at Chico Senior High School during third period Monday through Friday as a “library aide.” My duties consisted of sliding the sections of the day’s newspaper into the bamboo scroll and placing it in the rack for students and faculty to read, replacing books according to catalog number, and meticulously searching the internet using Netscape or Lycos for anything and everything to do with high school football recruiting. Anything.

After redshirting last season, former Serra High star quarterback Conner Preston is primed to make a big impact for the SMU Mustangs in 2012. With J..J. McDermott graduating and Kyle Padron transferring, the starting quarterback position is Preston’s for the taking. The expected arrival of former Texas quarterback Garrett Gilbert in June should raise the competition but we anticipate Preston seizing the reigns under center.

Now that signing day has passed, the majority of recruits have made their decisions. As always, the state of California produced a horde of talent for the big schools to court. The 2012 class of California recruits will surely make a lasting impact on the universities they attend. There are a number of future stars to look out for.

Here are the Top 25 California Recruits in 2012.

1. Ellis McCarthy (DT, Monrovia, UCLA)

The USC Trojans are looking to capitalize on a fresh start coming into the 2012 NCAA college football season. Southern Cal returns two potential Heisman Trophy candidates as they enter into the first year of the post-sanction era. Led by Head Coach Lane Kiffin, USC is looking to shake off the rust of not being able to compete in BCS post-season play for the past two consecutive seasons. The Trojans have a lot to be thankful for in 2012.

Cyrus Hobbi (OL/2011) bench presses 405 pounds and is considered a man amongst boys in the Arizona prep football ranks. "They love how physical and nasty I am, which I take a lot of pride in," says the Saguaro High School senior-to-be offensive lineman. Hobbi is regarded as one of the top offensive lineman recruits in the class of 2011. The 6'4" 285 pound Hobbi has dominated the opposition over the last two seasons as a varsity player for the Sabercats, while his team has amassed an astonishing 7,368 yards rushing and 93 touchdowns on the ground.