Seau to Sign With USC Today; Booker, Rowe Delay Choices

All-American linebacker Junior Seau is expected to sign a letter of intent with the University of Southern California this morning at Oceanside High School.

Two other top area players, Vista running back Tommy Booker and Lincoln wide receiver Patrick Rowe, are not ready to announce their choices.

Seau’s decision was confirmed Wednesday by Oceanside’s football coach, Roy Scaffidi. Seau could not be reached for comment.

Seau, 6-feet 5-inches and 220 pounds, decided to make a last-minute visit to USC last weekend. He had narrowed his choices to USC, Colorado, Arizona State and UCLA.

Rowe, an All-American receiver, said he has not decided where he will play next season.

Booker, a Parade All-American and The Times’ San Diego Section Back of the Year, said his plan to sign with San Diego State has been delayed.

Booker said he had been planning to announce that he would sign with SDSU this past Monday, but after a meeting with Arizona State that day, the announcement was put off.

Booker’s father, Tom Sr., said that he preferred Arizona State but that he wanted his son to take more time to make his decision, without distractions from recruiters or reporters.

“Wherever he goes, I’ll support him 100%,” said Booker Sr. “I felt we needed to stop everything for a while and let things come back to normal around here. There’s too much stress for Tommy to make a decision.”

Said Booker Jr.: “I was ready to sign (with SDSU) Monday. In the conference with Arizona State, they were telling me not to go there (SDSU), not to go to the (Western Athletic Conference). They said that I was underselling myself.

“I didn’t call it (the announcement) off, my parents called it off,” Booker said. “I was angry, upset. I didn’t say anything; there was nothing to say.”

Although Booker Sr. said he wanteds his son to take more time to make his decision, Booker Jr. says he still wants to go to SDSU.

“I like San Diego State because the opportunity to play a lot is real good,” he said. “I like the distance, the area, the people. I feel real comfortable with the coaching staff. It’s an up-and-coming program there.

“I’m going to San Diego State to get a degree. That’s what I have in mind, that’s what I’m going for.”

Booker said that he would make an informal visit to San Diego State this weekend.

“I just wanted to put the lock on my decision,” he said. “I just want to take a second look.”

But his letter of intent needs at least one parent’s signature, and Booker said he will have to pursuade his father.

“We haven’t really sat down and talked about it,” he said. “He doesn’t want me to make a bad decision. I haven’t really got a chance to talk to him.”