National Signing Day 2012: Arik Armstead Will Regret Not Choosing USC

Arik Armstead, a 4-star offensive tackle recruit, had officially committed to the University of Southern California to play for the Trojans football team.

However, he reneged on his word back in October because his family reportedly “was a little disappointed with some things going on at USC.”

That was strange, but understandable considering his brother, Armond, who was redshirting with a medical problem this year after being a starter for two years on the defensive line, is also leaving the school.

Now the younger Armstead has apparently narrowed down his top four and will be choosing between the University of California, Oregon, Notre Dame and Auburn.

None of these schools are primed to be elite like the Trojans will next season and for years to come.

Remember, USC was arguably the best team in the nation to close out the 2011 college football campaign but was rendered ineligible for postseason play because the inane NCAA decided to punish the current roster for what Reggie Bush and O.J. Mayo did in years prior.

They have finally got through that two-year ban and are ready to start competing in BCS bowls again under Lane Kiffin, which is why it makes no sense for Armstead to have decommitted from the program with the brightest future to choose between four that have seen their best days behind them.

Armstead is a 6’7”, 280-pound monster that would instantly have a chance to see some playing time on USC’s line with the imminent departure of Matt Kalil. He’d have a chance to win a national championship with the return of Matt Barkley and many of the school’s studs on both sides of the football. 

Instead, he’s probably going to get stuck in a situation where he has to wait too long to play or has no chance of winning anything greater than some second-tier bowl game.

Armstead made the wrong choice to spurn USC and he will see the error of his ways when the Trojans are back on top of the college football world.