260, Here We Come!

Although Armond Armstead denies he is 100 percent sure, USC is clearly the team to beat. "I really like the coaching staff at USC," he said. "They are really intense, but cool. They haven't lied to me and I feel like they are all really trustworthy. My recruiting coach is Rocky Seto (secondary) and we have a great relationship. He's a Christian guy like me and we have a lot in common..."

Armond Armstead, the 6-foot-5, 290-pound three-star defensive tackle/end from Pleasant Grove High School in Elk Grove, Calif., still plans on announcing his decision on Monday, July 30 at Table 260 (one of his favorite restaurants) around 7:00 pm.

"I really want to get it over with and my birthday is on August 3, so I thought this would be a good way to celebrate it," Armstead said. "I plan to call the coaches on Sunday to let them know and then I'll make my announcement public on Monday."

Although Armstead denies he is 100 percent sure, USC is clearly the team to beat. "I really like the coaching staff at USC," he said. "They are really intense, but cool. They haven't lied to me and I feel like they are all really trustworthy. My recruiting coach is Rocky Seto (secondary) and we have a great relationship. He's a Christian guy like me and we have a lot in common. I don't feel pressured by them at all and I think I'd be able to fit in well there. They are recruiting me for defensive end."

In fact, every school is recruiting Armstead for defense, except for Nevada, which wants him as a tight end.

Armstead, ranked No. 52 in the west by Scout.com and the No. 26 defensive tackle nationwide, says the Trojans lead solidly over Washington, Arizona, Arizona State, Texas A&M and Oregon. All of his favorites have offered him, plus others.

The only other school from his top five he has visited besides USC is Washington. "It's a great place up there," he said. "I like the weather at Washington and the campus is really nice too. Coach Ty Willingham is a great person.

"I also really like (defensive line) coach Stan Eggen from Texas A&M," he said. "He's a good coach and they have a great defense and I could probably play early there."

Armstead attended camps at USC and UCLA (Bruins never offered) and doesn't have any official visits scheduled. He says he'll most likely only take one visit.

"I'm still going to talk things over with my parents about my decision before Monday," Armstead said. "I'm not exactly 100 percent yet, but it's close."

He reports a 2.9 core GPA and a 1600 SAT (3 sections), which he plans to retake in the fall.