Mondo meets with Pete
 

With a senior season that included 90 tackles, 11 sacks, and League Player of the Year and All-City First-Team honors, Armond Armstead had the proverbial cherry on top of his season when University of Southern California head coach Pete Carroll showed up for an in-home visit.

"Overall the night and the conversations we had were good," Armstead, from Elk Grove (Calif.) Pleasant Grove, said about their evening, which also included Coach Rocky Seto. "We ate and we talked about admissions, the expectations and academics.

"And how hard I'm going to have to work, and some of the help I'm going to be getting. Opportunities the college offers beyond just football, like job opportunities."

Carroll wasn't there so much for recruiting, but to solidify Armstead's verbal commitment that he made to USC in early July and to also get him prepared for playing football at the next level.

"Just SC, that's my school," Armstead, when asked if he was hosting any other coaches, said. "I'm going to stick with it. I'm taking my official visit (to USC) this weekend.

"I'm coming down on Friday."

Armstead plans to treat this weekend as if he was part of the team, acclimating himself to the preparations of the standard week of a defensive lineman.

"Just how they operate and how they practice," he said. "How the coaches react with the players. I want to see the meetings also, because Coach (Nick) Holt said he wanted me to see the different techniques and different assignments for the D-line, so that when I come in I'll be ready to play."

Early on, there was some speculation that he may end up on the offensive side of the ball, but Carroll seemed more torn about where to play Armstead along the defensive line.

"Coach Carroll said that they want to me out and strong-side defensive end," Armstead, who is 290-pounds currently, but plans to arrive at USC near 275-pounds, said. "He knows I can play inside, but he wants to see what I can do on the strong-side. They're losing some guys at that position and they need to fill it.

"(Carrol said) if I come in ready I can play right away."

That opportunity to play early is a major attraction to USC for Armstead.

"I just want to come in and be able to play where ever I can along the D-line," he said. "I want to be in the rotation as soon as possible."

As one season ends with a loss in the playoffs another begins for Armstead, who recently rejoined his high school basketball team.

"We're 3-1 right now," the power-forward said. "I just came back and I'm getting adjusted from playing football.

"I want to average 20 (points) and 10 (rebounds a game)."

Armstead's high school football career is not quite over though; he'll be playing in the Offense-Defense all-star game in Miami next month.

USCFootball.com will continue to keep you updated on Armond Armstead's basketball season throughout the year.