SIGNINGS: MANY TOP RECRUITS STAY CLOSE TO HOME.Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer For many, today is the most important of the year for high school and college sports, because student athletes officially sign letters of intent. It's an exciting time, as locals fulfill their dreams, and college coaches bolster their status by getting, they hope, the best of the best. More than 100 local high school and junior college recruits already have committed to four-year universities. Participants in football, volleyball, soccer and men's water polo water polo, swimming game encompassing features of soccer, football, basketball, and hockey. The object of the game is to maneuver, by head, feet, or hand, a leather-covered ball 27 to 28 in. are eligible to sign today; athletes in all other sports, including basketball and baseball, sign on April 5. UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX and USC An abbreviation for U.S. Code. both have done a good job keeping talent at home. The Bruins today expect to sign football standouts Ray Cassaday and Manuel White Manuel White (born July 2, 1982) is an American football running back. of Valencia and Patrick Norton For the North Dakota politician, see . Patrick Norton (born June 26 1970, Urbana, Illinois) was co-host and managing editor of The Screen Savers, an interactive television program on TechTV geared toward the technology enthusiast. of Hart in Newhall, along with soccer players Leonard Griffin For the football player of the same name see Leonard Griffin (football player). Leonard Griffin (born September 11, 1982 in Pasadena, California) is an American soccer player who currently plays for the Portland Timbers of the United Soccer Leagues First Division. of Littlerock and Tony Lawson of Quartz Hill. USC welcomes football players Matt Cassel Matt Cassel [CASS-ul] (born May 17, 1982 in Northridge, California) is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the NFL. Youth and high school career of Chatsworth, Gregg Guenther Gregg Guenther, Jr. (born January 29, 1982 in Calabasas, CA) is a National Football League tight end for the Cincinnati Bengals. College career Guenther played basketball and football at the University of Southern California. of Taft in Woodland Hills, Alex Holmes Alex Holmes (born August 22, 1981 in San Diego, California) was a National Football League tight end. Professional career Holmes played for the Miami Dolphins in 2005 and signed as a free agent with the Saint Louis Rams for 2006. of Harvard-Westlake of North Hollywood and Carlos Acosta Carlos Acosta is a Cuban ballet dancer. He has danced with many companies including the English National Ballet as a principal and the National Ballet of Cuba, and is now an international guest artist to much critical acclaim. of Moorpark College Moorpark College is a California-state funded community college located on a 134 acre (542,000 m²) property reclining on a hill in Moorpark, a town in Ventura County, California. . Travis Johnson, a consensus All-American football defensive lineman at Notre Dame High in Sherman Oaks, is by far the most prominent area athlete who hasn't committed early. The 6-5, 265-pounder said he would make an announcement today. Late Monday, Johnson said he had narrowed his choices to UCLA, Michigan and Florida State. ``The deciding factor is just where I feel is right,'' Johnson said. ``I want to go to a school that is going to help me get the next level in football, but I always want a decent education.'' Johnson, saying he recently eliminated USC from consideration, said if he goes to UCLA, he'll study communications because ``Los Angeles is the media capital of the world.'' Plus, his mother reportedly wants Johnson to stay at home. However, Johnson's close friend, former high school teammate Justin Fargas, is at Michigan, and Fargas' presence there figures to be a swaying factor. As for Florida State, Johnson likes the fact that the Seminoles won the national championship and they alternate a lot of players on defense, meaning Johnson could see significant playing time right away at the country's top program. Westlake quarterback Zac Wasserman, the Daily News Player of the Year, has committed to Penn State. He's among several prominent football performers who will sign with major out-of-state programs: Receiver Calvin Bell of Simi Valley has committed to Michigan; Westlake defensive back Chris Catalano and Muir of Pasadena lineman Jon Clinkscales have committed to Wisconsin; Alemany quarterback Casey Clausen already has enrolled at Tennessee; Loyola of Los Angeles linebacker Syga Thomas has committed to Northwestern, and Taft of Woodland quarterback Brandon Hance has begun classes at Purdue. UCLA's top out-of-area football commitments include receiver Tab Perry of Milipatas High near San Jose, defensive back Ben Emanuel from Clear Brook High in Houston and lineman John Ream from Chapparal High in Las Vegas. USC expects signatures from defensive back Matt Grootegoed of Mater Dei in Santa Ana, running back Chris Howard of Banning in Wilmington, lineman Joe McGuire of Servite in Anaheim and lineman Nate Goodson of Temescal Canyon High. USC received a much-needed late commitment this week from Hueneme High's Keary Colbert, the only wide receiver of the recruiting class. Colbert will probably enter training camp as the Trojans' fourth or fifth wide receiver. The Trojans' class currently is ranked 10th nationally and first in the Pac-10 by PrepStar recruiting service. The Trojans are also awaiting word today from highly regarded offensive lineman Max Starks (6-9, 343) of Orlando, Fla. Starks requested scholarship papers from USC on Tuesday, and will decide today between the Trojans, Florida and Florida State. Two other players who will affect where USC finishes nationally are quarterback Teyo Johnson and linebacker Amon Gordon of Mira Mesa High in San Diego. Neither player is expected to decide today but has USC listed among their final choices. USC also held out hope to land Travis Johnson, after he requested scholarship papers Tuesday. |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion