USC Commits Excited About Clay Helton, Call Him 'The Ultimate Player's Coach'

Consider it the popular move.

On Monday, Southern California removed the interim tag from Clay Helton's title and made him the head coach after guiding the Trojans to a Pac-12 South Division title and the right to play in the Pac-12 Championship Game on Saturday.

The news was music to the current USC players' ears.

It also proved to be great news to the Trojans of the future. USC commits expressed their joy Monday and said they're looking forward to being coached by Helton.

"He's the ultimate players' coach," 4-star wide receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe said. "He treats every player special, down to the players who aren't on scholarship. His players love to play for him, and I can't wait to play for him, either."

USC currently has 15 players committed in the 2016 class. Ten of the 15 are 4-star players. Keeping every player committed is a priority, and it appears as though at least the majority of the class will remain in tact with Monday's news.

"[He's a] great hire for me," said Tyler Vaughns, a 4-star receiver and the Trojans' highest-ranked commit in the 2016 class. "[Wide receivers] Coach Tee Martin and Coach Helton were the ones coming to see me, so nothing has changed really."

Per ESPN.com, Helton signed a guaranteed, five-year contract after leading USC to a 5-2 record as interim head coach. He was the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach before taking over the head coaching position midway through the season, replacing Steve Sarkisian.

It's Helton's energy and ability to be a people person that has his current and future players excited about what's upcoming, as USC quarterback Cody Kessler told ESPN's Joe Schad on Monday, per ESPN.com:

"

We need someone who will get the job done. Coach Helton is a great coach and an even better person. He has kept us together. He is the same guy every day. He is a coach you want to play for.

"

C.J. Pollard, a 4-star safety, echoed those sentiments.

"I've been waiting to hear that news ever since he was named interim head coach," Pollard said. "I knew what he was capable of, and I knew that he could get the job done. He cares about all his players and has everybody's best interest."

The move not only affected the players but also the parents. Frank Martin, father of 4-star offensive tackle Frank Martin II, was excited to hear the news and believes the Trojans will prosper with Helton in charge.

"We're looking forward to working with Coach Helton," the elder Martin said. "He has the team on the right track. We're extremely excited to have someone who was already there. He understands what abilities on and off the field Frank will bring to USC."

The younger Martin added: "I am very happy with the pick. I love Coach Helton. He is a good coach and brings people together."

Helton's squad is 8-4 and will face Stanford in the conference championship game. Along with preparation for that, Helton and his staff are looking to add to the 2016 class and have a few targets heavily interested. Among them are 5-star defensive end Oluwole Betiku, 4-star athlete Jack Jones and 4-star cornerback Byron Murphy.

Look for more athletes to pay attention to what USC does primarily because of the energy that Helton is capable of spreading.

"Energy," Vaughns said. "That guy loves football and his players, so it rubs on to you. I'm excited."

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles