USC eyes Miami QB commit
Not a TrojanSports subscriber? Sign up and gain unlimited access to the most in-depth coverage of USC football and recruiting and our premium message board. CLICK HERE
USC has not wasted time evaluating and targeting quarterbacks in the 2018 class. That search took them to Bradenton, Fla. and the IMG Academy, which is known for producing top football talent at every position, every year.
And since the IMG Academy is a high school football factory, it should come as no surprise that the quarterback for the Ascenders this year is qualified to star at USC.
That quarterback would be Artur Sitowski, a Rivals100 prospect who pledged himself to the Miami Hurricanes earlier this year. Before he made that decision, he had scholarship offers from name programs all over the country, including Florida, Ohio State and Tennessee. Ole Miss even continues to pursue him, despite his his loyalty to the Hurricanes.
Like the Rebels, USC has also made recent contact with the 6-foot-5 and 205-pound prospect. In fact, USC's quarterback coach even evaluated him this spring.
"They texted me during the spring evaluation period and Coach (Tyson) Helton came to watch me throw at one of our practices," Sitkowski said.
Sitkowski says Helton has also been in contact with the IMG Academy quarterback coach, Nate Costa. And even without much contact, Sitkowski admits he's impressed with USC.
"I know Coach Helton can develop quarterbacks," Sitkowski said. "I know they have a rich traditions of quarterbacks. They run a pro style system and it's in Southern California. That's a good place to go to school."
Outside of praising USC and its staff, Sitkowski made it known that he's strongly committed to another school.
"I would listen to what they have to say but it would take a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot for me to even think about USC," Sitkowski said.
He just feels that good about his commitment.
"As of right now, I'm committed to Miami," Sitkowski said. "USC is a good program but right now, I'm just committed to Miami. The connection I have with Coach (Mark) Richt and Jon Richt and the class that we're building. The way I feel about Miami is very strong right now. There's a lot of positive aspects to that program and a very positive mindset."
And when he listens to USC, he might just be acting polite.
"I also listen to people and hear what they have to say because you never know when you're going to cross roads again and meet the guy in the NFL," Sitkowski said. "You should always listen to what someone has to say. I respect every college coach in the country, I have respect for what they do. So I'll listen to what they have to say. But if I'm solid to a program, I'll tell them that just between me and them."
These few programs may see a sliver of hope because Sitkowski is not from the state of Florida orginially. He's from New Jersey, although he does have an aunt who lives in Tampa, Fla.
But if distance from home and family connections do matter for Sitkowski, USC might have a tough battle to flip him from the Hurricanes. He says he's never been to California before. His only West Coast trip was to Nevada for a 7-on-7 tournament. And when asked if he could envision himself visiting USC, he felt it was unlikely.
"That's something I would have to discuss with my family," Sitkowski said of a USC visit. "Probably not."
TROJAN TALK message board | PODCAST | SHOP NOW: DEALS on USC apparel