USC Signs 23 Recruits; UCLA Gets Top Prospect

USC recruited well in its own back yard, but UCLA may have come away with the state’s top prize on Wednesday, the first day colleges were allowed to sign football players to letters of intent.

USC announced the signing of 23 players--including two junior college transfers--15 of which are from Southern California. But while UCLA did not sign as many Southland players as USC, the Bruins did land Jamir Miller of El Cerrito, a linebacker considered the state’s top recruit.

Miller, 6 feet 5 and 220 pounds, was on every Pacific 10 Conference recruiting list and was regarded by many scouts as the nation’s top high school linebacker. He was one of 11 California players among UCLA’s 17 signees.

After Miller, UCLA’s most impressive signing was running back James Milliner of Annandale, Va. Milliner (6-1, 190) was voted the state player of the year after rushing for 2,249 yards and 33 touchdowns.

The Bruins’ only quarterback signing was Rob Walker of Lake Travis in Austin, Tex. Walker (6-4, 195) passed for 817 yards last season while directing a run-oriented offense.

UCLA signed seven linemen, headed by Grady Stretz (6-4, 250) of McLintock High School in Tempe, Ariz.

Four linebackers signed with the Bruins, including Travis Shipman of Kickapoo in Springfield, Mo.

The only junior college player to sign with UCLA was offensive lineman Ron Nielsen (6-4, 265) of Moorpark.

San Marino defensive lineman Nathan Olsen, son of Merlin Olsen, signed with Stanford.

National Notes

Another son of a famous father also signed with Stanford. The Cardinal signed linebacker Coy Gibbs, son of Washington Redskin Coach Joe Gibbs, from DeMatha of Hyattsville, Md. . . . Anthony Dorsett, son of Tony Dorsett, followed in his father’s footsteps and signed with Pittsburgh. Anthony (5-11, 160) played wide receiver-defensive back for Richardson, Tex.