Despite the arrival of Prime Time and the resurgence of USC, the Pac-12 isn’t exactly killing it on the recruiting trail heading into Day 1 of the Early Signing Period.

Unlike the days of old, when an 11-1 Trojans record would lead to a certain top-5 class, the transfer portal has complicated things for USC, which is finding much of its key contributors from the nation’s top programs.

Utah and Oregon State are riding a wave of on-field success, but Arizona hasn’t built upon last year’s top-25 class despite improving by 4 wins. But luckily for the Wildcats, they’re doing much better than their in-state mates.

Here are those and a few more key storylines to watch for on Wednesday…

Zero Pac-12 teams in top-10 overall rankings

For the 3rd time in the past 4 classes, no Pac-12 team cracked the top-10 rankings for overall classes. Recruiting is the lifeblood of successful college football teams — and, as a result, conferences — and it’s not a surprise that the league continues to be on the outside looking in of the College Football Playoff.

Just 5 5-star recruits were committed to Pac-12 squads as of Tuesday night: 3 to USC, 1 to Oregon and 1 to UCLA.

If not for USC’s brilliant battery of quarterback Malachi Nelson and wide receivers Zachariah Branch and Makai Lemon, the Pac-12 would be in real trouble. Last year, the league signed just 2 5-stars.

The Hunt for Travis Hunter

Some considered the Jackson State superstar following his former head coach Deion Sanders to Colorado a fait accompli, but Hunter reportedly is not bolting for Boulder just yet.

On3 reported the former 5-star recruit is also considering USC, Georgia and Miami.

Hunter’s decision to decommit from Florida State and follow former Seminoles legend Coach Prime to Jackson State last year was arguably the most shocking commitment in recent college football history, and he displayed his talent on both sides of the ball this year despite battling injuries.

If he chooses to join Coach Prime in Colorado, that announces to the world that the Buffaloes mean business. If he goes to USC, that would be a real coup for Lincoln Riley. Many project him to Georgia, where he’s from. Alas, the rich get richer.

USC back on top — with a catch (or two)

Even if Riley doesn’t reel in Hunter, this should be a terrific signing period for the Trojans. But it feels a bit like USC loaded up in places it already has a ton of talent. Getting a 5-star quarterback and 2 5-star wideouts is never a bad thing. But a 5-star defensive tackle and a 5-star linebacker might have made a bigger impact on a team that already has Caleb Williams and a cast of talented pass-catchers.

The Trojans do have some nice defensive pieces already committed — including 4-star edge Braylan Shelby and 4-star linebacker Tackett Curtis — but they could’ve used some more top-end talent on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

One thing is certain: This is a major bounce-back class for the Trojans. USC — which fired Clay Helton early last year only to snag one of the best young coaches in college football in Riley — finished 70th in the nation in high school recruiting last year. This year, they’re on the verge of the top-10.

A fading Neon?

The Buffaloes haven’t exactly stormed out of the gate like many expected right after the stunning hire of Coach Prime. Colorado has some nice recent commitments — headlined by 4-star running back Dylan Edwards, who flipped his commitment from Notre Dame — but ranks just 54th overall after ranking 58th last season.

Of course, if Sanders snags Hunter, all is well, but maybe we expected a little too much out of Colorado. After all, Sanders had a very compelling sales pitch at HBCU Jackson State. “Help turn the program around” is not quite the same as “shock the system to its very core.”

Then again, Sanders has already brought his sons in tow, and that’s a good start.

Bruins surging late

Can one player define a recruiting class? What about an entire coaching regime?

UCLA’s flip of former Oregon commit Dante Moore is one of the most compelling recruiting stories to come out of the Pac-12 in ages. Kelly has never been wielded a big harpoon on the recruiting trail, even dating to his hugely successful run with the Oregon Ducks.

Moore, a 5-star QB and No. 3 overall player in the class, is more than Kelly’s best recruit, he’s a lifesaver of sorts. UCLA fans were down on Kelly, particularly from the recruiting angle, but Moore suddenly turns Kelly into a major player.

Like USC, the Bruins have brought in a nice battery of Moore and 4-star receivers Jeremiah McClure and Grant Gray, but UCLA could use some more help up front on both sides, as well.

Oregon owns the west

One of the most impressive things about Oregon’s recruiting is the ubiquity of the Duck brand.

It’s fair to consider Oregon one of the most well-traveled staffs, considering the Ducks have commitments from the top-ranked high school player in 4 states: Washington, Idaho, Hawaii and Colorado, as well as the top-rated JUCO player in California.

Head coach Dan Lanning hasn’t just spanned the western states, he’s also worked to retool the Ducks’ defense in his image. Oregon has commitments from 14 defensive players among its 23-commit class so far.

Utah gets big bump

Are we looking at the dawn of another Ute era?

Utah joined the Pac-12 after an ultra-successful run atop the Mountain West in 2011. It took 5 years for the Utes to jump into the national top-40 in recruiting rankings, as in 2016, Utah finished No. 36 in the country. The Utes have been in the 30s ever since. Until this year. A second straight Pac-12 title and a second straight Rose Bowl appearance has Utah heading into early signing day with the No. 21 class in the country, headlined by 5 4-stars in premium positions.

You’ve got to love how Kyle Whittingham builds his teams. Utah boasts commitments from 2 4-star offensive lineman, local star edge Hunter Clegg, cornerback CJ Blocker and athlete Dijon Stanley.

Beavers build on momentum

Oregon State’s rise in the recruiting rankings is no surprise considering their ascent on the field of play. Two years ago, Oregon State 87th in the country in overall recruiting and 69th last year.

This season, following a 10-3 campaign including a bowl blowout of Florida, the Beavers are up to 48th nationally.

Oregon State has secured a long-standing commitment from quarterback Aidan Chiles, who could compete with Ben Gulbranson — or a transfer to be named — as soon as next year.

Wildcats wane after much-improved year

Arizona football recruiting wasn’t just the talk of Tucson last signing day, it was the talk of the Pac-12 as Jedd Fisch reeled in the No. 25 class in the nation for a team that won just 1 game the year prior. Arizona quintupled its win total in 2022 yet ranks 42nd heading into early signing day.

It’s as simple as Servite — the Wildcats got 4 commitments from the Anaheim-based school last year and none this year. Arizona does have some big-time transfers coming in, but it’s a bit of a surprise Fisch hasn’t been able to continue his success for the ‘Cats.

Sun Devil swoon

Arizona’s Territorial Cup rival is feeling the heat out in Tempe. Kenny Dillingham hasn’t made a huge splash quite yet as the Sun Devils rank last in the Pac-12 in recruiting with just 12 commits, including 9 3-stars.

Arizona State has taken to the transfer portal in order to turn things around in a hurry, with 15 transfers committed so far.

One of Dillingham’s big goals is to put a fence around the talent local to Tempe, but he hasn’t been able to acquire the barbed wire quite yet.