The University of Southern California received commitments last week from an outstanding junior running back and wide receiver, according to the Los Angeles Times. Both are ranked among the nation’s top 75 in the class of 2011, according to Tom Lemming, recruiting analyst for MaxPreps and CBS College Sports. 
De'Anthony Thomas, Crenshaw
File photo by Dirk Dewachter
The wide receiver is 6-foot-1, 185-pound Victor Blackwell of Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.). Last fall he made 52 catches for 1,044 yards and 11 touchdowns in just nine games. Lemming has him at No. 75.
Veteran sports writer Steve Fryer calls Blackwell "the most talented receiver I have seen in these past 20 years covering high school football full-time in Orange County."
Earlier this spring, Mater Dei junior quarterback Max Wittek (6-4, 217) had committed to the Trojans. Last fall he completed 136 of 230 passes for 2,126 yards and 15 touchdowns. He threw nine interceptions. Wittek is Lemming’s No. 44-ranked player.
Previous USC quarterback recruits from Mater Dei have included Matt Leinart and Matt Barkley.
Mater Dei’s veteran coach, Bruce Rollinson, says "What he (Wittek) does that the others (Leinart and Barkley) couldn’t do, he can fly. He runs a legitimate 4.6 (40-yard dash). When he does break the pocket, he is far more of a threat."
Rollinson says emphatically that the acrobatic Blackwell "hasn’t begun to reach his potential. He is a tremendous leaper. He’s got great speed and is elusive. He knows how to get open. We’ve got to do everything in America to get him to touch the football. He really is in that special category. The first time he touched the football (as a sophomore) he returned a kickoff 102 yards."
The running back is 5-9, 175-pound De'Anthony Thomas of Crenshaw (Los Angeles), who is ranked as the No. 1 returning player in Southern California. Last fall he ran 81 times for 902 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also made 11 catches for 204 yards and three touchdowns.
In addition, Thomas made 60 tackles as a cornerback. Lemming has him ranked No. 24.
Rounding out a huge week, the Trojans also received a commitment from talented Mission Viejo (Calif.) junior linebacker Tre Madden (6-1, 215).
