Mitchell confident in close

Steven Mitchell thinks USC's recruiting class could finish strong and it might not be just wishful thinking.

The Mission Hills (Calif.) Alemany four-star receiver who shined in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl points to a moment this past weekend when all the visitors took a picture with USC jerseys and for Mitchell and others it was a special time.

Many USC commits were in the photo but so were five-star defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes, a former Trojans' pledge, four-star offensive tackle and USC pledge Nico Falah, who's looking at Washington and Oregon, and Tyree Robinson and his brother, Tyrell, who are looking at other options after Chip Kelly left Oregon for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Some Florida prospects were also in attendance and Mitchell said things were said that make him believe the Trojans could land a few more top-rated players.

"It was very exciting," Mitchell said. "All of us were there and it was like we were just seeing each other again and we had a great time.

"There was one moment where we were all in the locker room and coach (Lane) Kiffin was talking to us. Then we tried on all the jerseys and we all took the picture and we saw the picture and we said this is the class that's going to come in here and make a big difference. We all bonded and that was a good thing."

One of Mitchell's main responsibilities this past weekend was to work some of the uncommitted or unsure prospects. He said the coaching staff spent a lot of time with Vanderdoes, who looked great at the Army game, and the four-star receiver did some work with the Robinson twins.

Because of such a memorable weekend, Mitchell thinks USC's recruiting class could be in for some big-time commits come signing day.

It might be hopeful but Mitchell is confident things could end well.

"It was a pretty big weekend for that," Mitchell said. "The coaches were most big on Eddie. We all were because we want them all to come. I was with the twins most of the time and Nico. Everybody bonded and it was a really good experience.

"I have confidence. I truly do have confidence. There's nothing like USC. All the meetings we were in they talked highly of USC. Their parents seemed to love it. All there is now we can just wait until signing day but I feel pretty confident."