USC awards new punter Chris Tilbey a scholarship

USC Coach Steve Sarkisian announced the addition of punter Chris Tilbey to the roster Tuesday.

Tilbey, a sophomore, will receive a scholarship that counts toward the 2016 recruiting class as a blue-shirt recruit and will be eligible to play immediately.

“We’re really trying to invest into here for our future,” Sarkisian said.

USC returns fifth-year senior Kris Albarado. Redshirt freshman Reid Budrovich is listed as the backup.

The 6-feet-5, 220-pound Tilbey is from Melbourne, Australia, and played last season at San Francisco City College, where he averaged 39.4 yards per punt.

Tilbey is the fifth player on the 2015 roster to be awarded a scholarship that counts toward the 2016 allotment. Receiver Deontay Burnett, offensive lineman Clayton Johnston and tight ends Taylor McNamara and Daniel Imatorbhebhe also were given scholarships as blue-shirt recruits.

USC also has 16 players who have made verbal commitment in the 2016 recruiting class and is left with four available scholarships if each player honors his commitment.

USC opens Saturday against Arkansas State at 8 p.m. PDT at the Coliseum.

Questions or comments about USC? Email me at [email protected] or tweet @LindseyThiry and I will respond to select messages in a weekly USC Now mailbag.