Reign of Troy
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Michael Pittman Commits to USC Over Oregon

By Hank Shaw

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Steve Sarkisian’s 2016 USC football recruiting class celebrated the Fourth of July with a bang, completing a UCLA flip of four-star athlete Michael Pittman.

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A four-star athlete out of Oaks Christian, Pittman committed to the Trojans over Oregon, after de-committing from the Bruins back on June 10th. He is ranked as the 207th best recruit in the 247Sports Composite and the 31st-ranked player in California.

USC has been in the mix since Pittman attended Sarkisian’s Elite Junior Day back in February, all while being a verbal pledge to the school across town.

That gave hope to the Trojans’ cause at flipping him, which was intenisified by an unofficial visit less than a week after his de-commitment from UCLA, as reported by Rivals on June 16th.

Pittman visited Oregon just days later, before announcing that he would decide between the two on Independence Day.

And we are, with the Trojans apparently doing enough in their recruitment of him to beat out Oregon.

Pittman gives USC yet another two-way player, as he could play at a wide range of positions at the collegiate level, including wide receiver and safety.

The Trojans have a glaring need at safety, evidenced by just three scholarship safeties participating in this past spring camp. Even with safety prospects in the 2015 class, the need there could allow him to be pushed towards that side of the ball.

Though if this recruiting class is any indication, Sarkisian and company have prioritized the stockpiling of wide receivers thus far. At 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, Pittman could give Max Browne a big, physical target in the passing game.

With Pittman in the mix, USC has 14 commitments in the 2016 class. That leaves just seven scholarships remaining, due to four deferred initial scholarships for Clayton Johnston, Devontay Burnett, Taylor McNamara and Daniel Imatorbhebhe.

Pittman is the son of former 11-year NFL veteran Michael Pittman, who played running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Arizona Cardinals.

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