Trojans Sign Trio of Prep Quarterbacks : Letters of Intent: With Marinovich gone, Smith reloads with Johnson, Wachholtz and Corby Smith, son of the coach.

With Todd Marinovich gone, USC’s top priority for Wednesday’s national football signing day was to restock at quarterback.

The Trojans did just that, signing three quarterbacks, including Rob Johnson of El Toro, Kyle Wachholtz of Norco and Corby Smith of Loyola.

Smith, 6 feet 3 and 200 pounds, is the son of USC Coach Larry Smith.

Johnson and Wachholtz are expected to battle for starting duties with Reggie Perry, a returning sophomore. Smith probably will be moved to defensive back.

“A critical need was quarterback, and we’re very pleased with the three we signed,” Larry Smith said.

Johnson, 6-4 and 210 pounds, completed 68% of his passes last season, finishing with 2,788 yards and 29 touchdowns. He threw nine interceptions.

Wachholtz, 6-5 and 205, passed for 1,868 yards and 20 touchdowns last season, guiding Norco to a 12-2 record.

USC signed 23 players Wednesday, including two junior college transfers. Of the signees, 15 are from Southern California.

UCLA did not sign as many Southland players as USC, but the Bruins did land the state’s top recruit. Linebacker Jamir Miller of El Cerrito, on every Pacific 10 Conference recruiting list, signed with the Bruins. Miller, 6-5 and 220, was regarded by many scouts as the nation’s top high school linebacker. He bench presses 300 pounds and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds.

UCLA signed 17 players, 11 from California. Two are from Illinois.

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 last season.

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

Coach Terry Donahue said he was most pleased by the linemen he signed, an area he regarded as his top priority.

UCLA signed seven linemen, headed by Grady Stretz (6-4, 250) of Tempe Mclintock and James Christensen (6-4, 300) of Anaheim Servite.

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.

Although Cal State Fullerton nearly dropped its football program in recent weeks, the school signed 14 players and is expected to add more. All 14 are from junior colleges.

Fullerton recruiting coordinator Jim Chaney said he expects to sign 70% of the players who made unwritten commitments.

Running back Travis Davis of Wilmington Banning signed with Notre Dame, picking the Irish over Stanford. Former Carson quarterback John Walsh, who transferred to West Torrance earlier this week, signed with Brigham Young.

Cousins Derek and Leland Sparks of Santa Ana Mater Dei signed with Washington State.

Colorado, which rebuilt its program with Southern California players, signed only two local recruits--Dorsey running back Lamont Warren and Simi Valley Royal defensive back Tim Ross.

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.