USC Football Recruit -- I Like Steve Sarkisian ... I'm STAYING COMMITTED to SC

With USC set to hire Steve Sarkisian as the next head football coach, TMZ Sports has learned at least ONE of the school's top high school recruits APPROVES and will stay committed to the Men of Troy.

TMZ Sports spoke with Malik Dorton -- one of the top high school defensive ends in the country who had recently announced his plans to accept a scholarship to USC.

... but that's when Lane Kiffin was in charge.

After Kiffin was fired and Ed Orgeron took over -- Malik says he was still pumped, since Orgeron was one of the main guys who recruited him.

Now, with Washington Huskies coach Steve Sarkisian reportedly taking the head coaching gig for the 2014 season, Malik says he feels it's a good fit -- and he still plans to play for the cardinal and gold next year.