Arik Armstead: With Visits to USC, Oregon and Auburn Coming Up, Who Leads?

Arik Armstead is making his rounds, especially now that he's backed off his USC commitment. There are a slew of schools that have thrown their hat in the ring—and it's a big ring, I might add.

Armstead has made some visits and is scheduling others at the moment. Who's he visiting? When? Is there a leader? 

We'll try to answer all that and then some, so come on inside and let's get an Arik Armstead recruiting update.

Unofficially Visited USC and UCLA This Past Weekend

According to scout.com, Armstead's father told reporters that his son visited both LA schools this past weekend. Of course, USC was excited to see Arik at the Washington game, and their blowout win only helps things.

A key here is that the visit was unofficial. Being from NorCal, Arik can always shoot on down to USC to check things out.

UCLA saw him on Sunday, as he checked out the campus and met with both the football and basketball staff.

Auburn Enters the Picture

When you heard that Armstead was visiting Alabama, you knew Auburn would at least contact him too. The Tigers never let a prospect just waltz over to Tuscaloosa without trying to convince him to come to The Plains.

Well Auburn fans, your wish will be granted. Armstead will be visiting Auburn for—wow, what a shock—the Alabama game next weekend.

It's the perfect atmosphere to host a stud prospect like Arik Armstead.

Eugene Awaits This Weekend

Armstead will officially visit Oregon this weekend.

Funny thing is, I'm sure USC fans like this, because last time Armstead visited a road school that hosted USC for a game on the same weekend, the Trojans beat Notre Dame.

Oregon is on Armstead's trail very hard, and for them to be getting a priceless official visit must mean they are looking at him as a DE, not as an OT.

Other Schools in the Running for Possible Visits

As I mentioned before, Armstead has already tripped to Alabama and Notre Dame, officially. His father told Scout.com that Arik also is considering visiting schools like Oklahoma, Texas, Cal and Washington.

I'd imagine trips to Norman and Austin would be officials due to the distance, but heading around the corner to Berkeley and upwards to Seattle would be easy unofficial trips.

So...Is There a Leader?

Not by my estimation. I count 10 schools based off this piece alone that Armstead is remotely considering.

He's gone from being a locked-down USC pledge to now adding nine more schools to consider aside from the Trojans.

This is going to be a process, and it seems that Armstead is bent on taking his visits and really weighing all of his options.