El Toro’s Scott Spalding Selects UCLA : All-County Defensive Lineman Changes His Mind About USC

UCLA scored another football recruiting triumph Thursday.

All-Orange County defensive lineman Scott Spalding of El Toro High School, who a month ago had said, “I have USC in my blood,” announced that he plans to sign with UCLA.

Spalding, one of the top prospects on the West Coast, will make it official next Wednesday.

Spalding said the dismissal of Ted Tollner as USC coach and the hiring of Larry Smith to replace him affected his decision.

“USC has a fine coaching staff and a fine tradition, but (with the coaching change) I didn’t know what was going to happen,” Spalding said. “Going to USC would be like walking into a dark closet.”

Spalding said Terry Donahue’s decision to remain UCLA coach was also a factor.

“Coach Donahue showed how committed he is to UCLA by turning down the offer from the Atlanta Falcons,” he said. “That really impressed me.”

At 6-foot 5-inches and 250 pounds, Spalding was a preseason All-American. For El Toro (14-0, Orange County’s only undefeated team and champion of the Southern Conference) Spalding had 38 tackles, 25 assists, 16 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries and caused 2 fumbles, despite missing a game with mononucleosis.

Fullback Kevin Smith from Oakland, the son of former Raider Charlie Smith, lineman Marc Wilder of San Bernardino and linebacker Stacy Argo of Willows, Calif., have also commited to UCLA.

USC added All-City running back Calvin Holmes from Carson, running back-defensive back James Wilson from University High in San Diego and lineman John Necas to its list of expected signings.

Defensive back Leonard Hudson of Pomona announced that he will play for California, linebacker Bill Haney of Camarillo chose Oregon and lineman Jon Barron of El Toro picked Texas El Paso.