Carson, Banning Both Report 5 Football Players Signing With Division I College Teams

Carson and Banning high schools are well known for their rivalry on the football field.

But there are times when the competition extends beyond the gridiron.

Although Carson enjoyed a more productive season last fall, Banning was still able to match the Colts with five Division I college recruits Wednesday, the first day of the national letter-of-intent signing period for seniors.

Banning counselor John Becker, who coordinates recruiting for the school’s football players, said defensive backs Curtis Daniel (Michigan State) and Nizam Walter (Vanderbilt), receivers Sheldon Butler and Terrance Campbell (Cal State Fullerton), and quarterback-defensive back John Ma’ae (Nevada-Las Vegas) all signed Wednesday.

That’s a slight drop from last year, when nine Pilots signed on the first day. But it’s a bright conclusion to a season that saw Banning miss the L.A. City Section playoffs for the first time in 15 years.

Most of area’s top seniors had given verbal commitments before Wednesday, but there were some late developments.

Three Carson players--quarterback Armin Youngblood and receivers Michael Ross and Tydus Winans--signed with Fresno State. Ross and Winans have yet to meet NCAA grade requirements and may have to sit out their freshman seasons and forfeit a year of eligibility as casualties of Proposition 48.

Linebacker Nkosi Littleton, Carson’s most sought-after recruit, fulfilled his verbal commitment to UCLA by signing with the Bruins on Wednesday night. Littleton helped the Colts forge a 10-2 record, win the Pacific League title and reach the 4-A Division championship game, which they lost to Dorsey.

Carson Coach Gene Vollnogle said Colt defensive back Bobby Perkins signed with Nevada-Las Vegas on condition that the senior score 700 or better on the Scholastic Aptitude Test, a requirement for freshman eligibility.

Hawthorne had three players sign letters of intent, headed by running back Chris Alexander (UCLA). Also bound for Division I schools are linebacker Sione Mahe (Utah) and defensive back Kalvein Latu (Hawaii).

Latu was one of five area players who signed with Hawaii. The others were defensive back Steven Johnson and receiver Donald Godden of Serra, El Segundo defensive end Kenny Talanoa and Leuzinger defensive back Zac Odom, whose older brother, Mark, an outside linebacker, was chosen Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year last season as a junior.

As expected, West Torrance defensive back Josh Moore signed with Washington, and Palos Verdes quarterback-safety Blake Anderson signed with Colorado, where his father, Dick, was an All-American before becoming an All-Pro strong safety with the Miami Dolphins.

Chris Maumalanga, Bishop Montgomery’s 6-foot-4, 320-pound lineman, chose Kansas over Big Eight rival Missouri.

Gardena wide receiver Manley Woods signed with New Mexico.