Saddleback QB Jason Schmid to Attend USC

Jason Schmid, Saddleback College quarterback, is expected sign a letter of intent to attend USC when classes start today on the Los Angeles campus.

USC had not shown serious interest in the Foothill High School graduate until after the Aloha Bowl, in which Trojan quarterback Rodney Peete suffered a leg injury that is expected to sideline him 6-8 months.

Schmid, who threw for 2,682 yards and 23 touchdowns, both school records, was also considering Oregon State and Indiana but finally decided to attend USC.

“It’s like a dream come true,” Schmid said in a prepared statement. “My parents and my brother went there. I wanted to stay in Southern California.”

Schmid was honored as the state Community College football player of the year for his work in leading the Gauchos to an 11-0 record, the PONY Bowl championship, and a co-national title with Snow, Utah College.