Class of 2017 receiver Nathan Tilford (Upland, Calif./Upland) has yet to play a down of high school football, but the spotlight already is shining brightly on him.
Tilford built on that buzz Sunday by landing a scholarship offer from USC at the Trojans' skills camp, according to a source at the event.
Projected as one of the top incoming high school freshmen in Southern California, Tilford opened eyes this spring with strong performances against older athletes in the local 7-on-7 circuit.
The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder attended USC practices this spring as he garnered interest from the Trojans. And although Tilford is still four years away from graduating high school, the early offer doesn't come as a huge surprise. USC has been more aggressive in recruiting underclassmen this spring, extending offers to seven local 2015 prospects, including elite defensive back Iman Marshall (Long Beach, Calif./Poly) and 2016 receiver Brandon Burton (Gardena, Calif./Serra).
Tilford isn't the first player in his class to receive an offer -- Dylan Moses (Baton Rouge, La./University Lab) already has offers from Alabama, LSU, Texas and others -- but it is the first time USC has gone into the 2017 class.