USC’s late push on National Signing Day last year brought its class into the Top 10 rankings.

On the first day high school recruits could sign binding letters of intent with schools, the Trojans added seven new commitments, including three players – safety Jamel Cook, running back Vavae Malepaei and defensive tackle Josh Fatu – who had previously pledged elsewhere.

It was a notable coup for Coach Clay Helton, who had replaced Steve Sarkisian during a tumultuous season, and brought in seven new assistant coaches.

After a season of stability, coupled with a dramatic victory over Penn State in the Rose Bowl, USC might rise further into the Top 10 this February.

When Tuesday began, the Trojans’ class for 2017 was ranked No. 9 by Rivals.com and No. 12 by Scout.com, with the chance to make a few more additions.

Helton’s staff looked like the favorite to sign Austin Jackson, an offensive tackle from Phoenix and a USC legacy, as well as a pair of Augustus Hawkins High teammates, athlete Greg Johnson and wide receiver Joseph Lewis. Decisions await too from other high-profile recruits, including Josh Falo, a tight end from Sacramento; Aubrey Solomon, a defensive tackle from Leesburg, Ga.; and Jay Tufele, a defensive tackle from South Jordan, Utah.

With 19 players committed, USC can add as many as four new prospects. That number could rise if someone decommits or delays enrollment. The class remains capped at 23 scholarship players for this cycle as kicker Michael Brown and defensive tackle Stevie Tu’ikolovatu were “blueshirts” last season, counting toward this year’s total.

QB Jack Sears: For months, Sears had been committed to Duke and coach David Cutcliffe, who had tutored Peyton Manning at Tennessee in the mid-1990s. But a day after the Trojans’ 26-13 upset of Washington in November, the San Clemente product flipped to USC. Sears, a four-star prospect, could again succeed Sam Darnold.

OL Andrew Vorhees: The arrival of Vorhees boosts USC’s offensive line depth at a key spot. E.J. Price, one of the Trojans’ top offensive tackle prospects in last year’s class, transferred in September. Veteran starters Zach Banner and Chad Wheeler also depart.

LB Tayler Katoa: The linebacker from Layton, Utah, also played quarterback in high school. Primarily a running Pinbahis threat, Katoa amassed 784 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 6.7 yards per carry, in eight games.

DL Marlon Tuipulotu: For the past year, Tuipulotu, considered one of the best defensive linemen in the country, was committed to Washington and was expected to enroll early Instead, Tuipulotu flipped and pledged toward the Trojans. He enrolled in classes Monday.

LS Damon Johnson: The former Glendora High standout did not play football last fall at Citrus Junior College. He was originally set to join USC a year ago as preferred walk-on, but did not enroll due to grades.

Tuipulotu: There is little depth on the interior of USC’s defensive line after losing nose tackle Stevie Tu’ikolovatu. The 6-foot-2, 295-pound Tuipulotu could fill in right away.

RB Stephen Carr: The five-star from Fontana is ranked as one of the nation’s top running backs.

DB Bubba Bolden: The four-star safety from Bishop Gorman High in Las Vegas recommitted to the Trojans at the Army All-American Bowl. He is regarded for his instincts.

DL Hunter Echols: The former UCLA commit aids the Trojans at a position of need.

OL Alijah Vera-Tucker: Without much depth at the tackle spots, Vera-Tucker could be in the mix for playing time.

OL Jalen McKenzie: The bloodlines are pretty good. He is the son of Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie. His older brother, Kahlil McKenzie, plays at Tennessee.

DB Isaiah Pola-Mao: The safety followed Tuipulotu last week by committing to USC. Pola-Mao is the nephew of former USC All-American and Pro Bowler Troy Polamalu.

OL Brett Neilon: The center is the second offensive lineman from Santa Margarita Catholic High to join the Trojans in recent years, following Max Tuerk.

Carr: Although committed to USC for nearly two years, Carr took an official visit to UCLA last weekend and afterward wrote on his Twitter account, “Decisions.” He is expected to sign, but worth watching until it’s official.

ATH Juliano Falaniko: The 6-foot-4 athlete from American Samoa took an official visit to Oregon last weekend and it is thought he could flip to the Ducks.

DL Terrance Lang: The Maranatha High standout visited Colorado for his final weekend of the recruiting, building suspense that he, like Falaniko, could ultimately sign elsewhere.

Contact the writer: jkaufman@scng.com

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