UCLA or USC? Watts to Decide on Thursday

Taft’s Quincy Watts, the defending state champion in the 100 and 200 meters, is scheduled to sign a national letter of intent to attend either USC or UCLA on Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Woodland Hills campus.

Watts, the No. 1-ranked high school sprinter in the country by Track and Field News, has denied reports that he made a verbal commitment last week to attend USC.

Trojan Coach Ernie Bullard declined comment when asked whether Watts had made a commitment to USC.

“I just want Thursday to get here as soon as possible so this whole thing is settled,” he said. “This has probably been one of the most complex situations I’ve ever been involved in.”

UCLA sprint coach John Smith said he did not know where Watts was headed.

“I haven’t heard a thing,” Smith said. “The boy is keeping everyone in suspense.”

Bullard, who is in his fourth year at USC, added that contrary to published reports, Taft sprint coach Hilliard Sumner has not been hired as an assistant coach at USC.

“We are looking for a sprint coach and Hilliard has expressed an interest in the job,” Bullard said. “But he has not been hired at this point in time.”