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USC target and 5-star guard Damien Mama: ‘Coach Sarkisian is a great coach’

By Patrick Schmidt

Jul 3, 2013; Beaverton, OR, USA; Detroit Lions player Ndamukong Suh speaks with offensive lineman Damien Mama (75) during the Lineman Challenge session of the 'The Opening' at Nike World Headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 3, 2013; Beaverton, OR, USA; Detroit Lions player Ndamukong Suh speaks with offensive lineman Damien Mama (75) during the Lineman Challenge session of the 'The Opening' at Nike World Headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Damien Mama
Jul 3, 2013; Beaverton, OR, USA; Detroit Lions player Ndamukong Suh speaks with offensive lineman Damien Mama (75) during the Lineman Challenge session of the ‘The Opening’ at Nike World Headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

When the USC Trojans made the decision to hire Steve Sarkisian many speculated that it was a move to kick-start recruiting this season as much as it was done to return the Trojans back to national prominence.

You can’t get back to winning national titles without stellar recruiting classes and the biggest recruit for Sarkisian in the literal sense is 6-4 and 376-pound  five-star guard Damien Mama (Bellflower, Calif. St. John Bosco) who was surprised by the move, but thinks its also a great hire, according to 247Sports’ Barton Simmons.

"“I still don’t know what’s going on with them with their offense, but it’s an overall great school. With Coach (Steve) Sarkisian, it helps because I really didn’t have a relationship with Coach (Lane) Kiffin. … I thought Orgeron was going to get the job, but it didn’t work out that way. … With him at practice you could really see them getting after it and competing. With Kiffin it was really lethargic and kind of boring. Coach Sarkisian is a great coach, and he’s been throughout USC.”"

Mama has his official visit to USC tentatively scheduled for Jan. 17 and has been a frequent visitor to the campus. Since USC’s camp on Jun. 25 attended by Mama, the No. 1 guard in the class of 2014 has taken four unofficial visits to the school.

Mama has taken official visits to the Alabama Crimson Tide, Notre Dame Fighting Irish and has a Jan. 31 official scheduled to see Brigham Young. Mama is no longer considering Notre Dame, but he is considering the rival UCLA Bruins who may get an official before he makes his announcement on National Signing Day.

When that announcement is made, expect Mama to pick USC.

Patrick’s the managing editor for Death Valley Voice and news desk staffer for FanSided.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatrickASchmidt, @DeathValleyFS. Like his Facebook page and add him to your Google network.

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