Clay Helton's Assessment of USC's 2020 Recruiting Class is Laughable

Say what you will about USC head coach Clay Helton, but one thing you cannot discredit him for is his optimism.

While the once prestigious program boasted numerous top-shelf recruiting classes during the 2000s and early 2010s, this season's recruiting class fell flat. With just one 4-star recruit committed and the worst overall rated class in the Pac-12, some would call this a complete and utter failure on Helton's part. However, the fifth-year coach has proved to be a glass half-full type of person with his assessment of the Trojan's recruiting haul.

Clay Helton says USC has 'very good day' as recruiting class ranks last in Pac-12 https://t.co/bNdXf3dbtL
— L.A. Times Sports (@latimessports) December 19, 2019

The "very good day" that Helton boasted about, would be true were we talking about the San Jose State Spartans program rather than the USC Trojans. With this year's class currently ranked 74th in the nation, this uncharacteristically bad early signing period will only add fuel to the "fire Helton" fire.

Already under fire for retaining Clay Helton, USC left Wednesday's signing day with the worst-ranked class in the Pac-12. @LakenLitman on a disaster in Southern Californiahttps://t.co/He2XlN6ft3
— SI College Football (@si_ncaafb) December 18, 2019

With an 8-4 record this season, the Trojans at least improved upon their 5-7 mark from 2018. Yet, with the worst ranked recruiting class in their conference, it's very hard to envision the Trojans improving much in the next few years. USC announced Helton would return next season, but fans are losing patience with him.

Bringing in an average recruiting class sure isn't helping his popularity.