RECRUITING / JEFF FELLENZER : Trabuco Hills’ Barnes Decides to Go See Cal

One of the nation’s most heavily recruited quarterbacks, Mission Viejo Trabuco Hills High’s Pat Barnes, has given an unwritten commitment to attend California.

Barnes had narrowed his choices to Cal and Notre Dame. His only other official visit was to Arizona State. He canceled a trip to Miami and had considered visiting Arizona this weekend.

Barnes’ older brother John, a senior walk-on at UCLA, passed for 385 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-37 victory over USC on Nov. 21.

“It was tough deciding between Cal and Notre Dame,” said the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Barnes, who finished his prep career as the fourth-leading passer in Orange County history with 6,430 yards.

“Notre Dame was impressive, to say the least. But the only thing Notre Dame may have on Cal is tradition. I think Coach (Keith) Gilbertson and his staff are going to turn the program at Cal around.”

The first day high school football players can sign letters of intent is Feb. 3.

Although Notre Dame is considered the favorite to sign 6-4, 210-pound quarterback Ron Powlus of Berwick, Pa., who is regarded by several scouts as the nation’s top prospect, Barnes said Powlus’ status had no bearing on his decision.

Powlus, who was USA Today’s offensive player of the year, will visit Notre Dame this weekend after a trip to Miami last weekend.

“I’ve never been shy of a challenge,” Barnes said.

Cal offensive coordinator Mike Sheppard told Barnes last summer that he was the Golden Bears’ No. 1 quarterback recruit. Coaches at Notre Dame, however, told Barnes that he was third on their list, behind Powlus and Scott Frost of Wood River, Neb.

Hawthorne running back Corey McCoy (5-9, 160) has given an unwritten commitment to Arizona State. McCoy was among the South Bay’s leading rushers last season with 1,335 yards in 104 carries (12.8 yards a carry). He had 17 touchdowns.

Notes

One of Southern California’s top running back prospects, Tarik Smith (5-10, 185) of Agoura Oak Park, made a commitment to attend Cal this week. Smith, who moved from Carson to the San Fernando Valley four years ago, was scheduled to visit UCLA this weekend, but canceled his trip. His only other official visit was to Colorado. Smith gained 746 yards and scored 10 touchdowns last season, despite playing in only five games because of injuries and personal problems. As a junior, he rushed for 1,776 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Fontana tackle Andy Meyers (6-6, 280), one of six recruits to make an unwritten commitment to USC, is apparently having second thoughts. Meyers had committed to the Trojans after visits to USC, UCLA and Notre Dame. But his commitment, as with the other five players, came before the resignation of Larry Smith as coach and the hiring of John Robinson. So Meyers decided to visit Washington last weekend, and will be at Arizona this weekend. “We’re still sorting things out,” USC recruiting coordinator Jack Himebauch said. “It’s an exciting time and a hectic time. We’ve had some kids who weren’t going to visit decide they might, and others who were going to visit decide not to. But that’s the way it always goes during a transition period.”

Add USC: The Trojans may be close to receiving a commitment from Pasadena City College quarterback Edward Hervey (6-3, 185), whom they are recruiting as a wide receiver.

La Puente Bishop Amat quarterback Mike Smith (6-3, 195), who led the Lancers to an undefeated season (15-0) and the Southern Section Division I championship, has made an unwritten commitment to attend Washington after visiting the school last weekend. He also took trips to Colorado and Washington State, and canceled a visit to Texas.

Despite three consecutive Rose Bowl appearances, Washington seems to be struggling to attract recruits, especially in California. Too much uncertainty surrounding the program after recent disclosures of potential NCAA violations appears to be having an impact. In addition, some coaches and scouts consider this a “down” year for talent in the state of Washington, an area the Huskies nearly always dominate. So far, Washington has received unwritten commitments from only three in-state players: Seattle O’Dea linebacker Jayson Bass (6-4, 190), tight end/linebacker Cameron Cleeland (6-5, 235) of Sedro Woolley, and linebacker Chris Campbell (6-1, 205) of Lynnwood, Wash. The Huskies also have a commitment from Honolulu defensive tackle Viliami Maumau (6-2, 295). But they lost out on two of the state’s better offensive line prospects: Yauger Williams (6-6, 265) of Tacoma Curtis, who committed to Cal, and Jason McEndoo (6-6, 275) of Aberdeen, who’s headed to Washington State. A defensive lineman who also may go elsewhere, highly regarded Jason Chorak (6-4, 245) of Vashon Island, Wash., is visiting UCLA this weekend. He is also considering Washington, Cal and Texas. And the state’s best wide receiver prospect, Charles Young (6-1, 195) of Seattle O’Dea, seems likely to sign with Stanford, although he is also considering Washington, Cal, USC and Notre Dame. Young is the son of former USC and NFL tight end Charles (The Tree) Young . . . Running back Woody Green III (5-11, 185) of Portland Jesuit has scheduled trips to Arizona State, USC, Fresno State, Oregon and Washington State.

Stanford continues to put together one of the most impressive recruiting classes in the country. Among the latest commitments, during a visit last weekend, was Anaheim Esperanza defensive lineman Bryan Werner (6-5, 246), who chose the Cardinal over Cal, Washington and Notre Dame. Werner is the brother of UCLA defensive tackle Matt Werner. Stanford is also considered the favorite over Notre Dame and Nebraska for one of the country’s premier quarterback prospects, Parade All-America Scott Frost (6-3, 200) of Wood River, Neb. Last season, Frost passed for 2,142 yards and 21 touchdowns and rushed for an amazing 1,585 yards and 33 touchdowns. His father and high school coach, Larry, played for Nebraska in the late 1960s. If he signs with Stanford, Frost would join Tim Carey (6-4, 175) of Los Alamitos, who gave Coach Bill Walsh an unwritten commitment in November. But there’s more: Stanford also received a visit earlier this week from yet another Parade All-America quarterback, Jake Plummer (6-3, 175) of Boise, Ida. Like Frost, Plummer can pass and run: 3,070 yards and 29 touchdowns passing, 645 yards and 10 touchdowns rushing last season. He has also taken trips to Arizona State and Colorado, and is scheduled to visit Washington State.

Add Stanford: The Cardinal has also received commitments from tight end Brad Badger (6-4, 225) of Corvallis, Ore., and fullback Rob Morris (6-2, 225) of Nampa, Ida., two of 19 players to make the Tacoma News Tribune’s annual list of Northwest Nuggets. Besides Badger and Morris, other college prospects chosen for the team included Bass, Cleeland, Williams, McEndoo, Young and Green.

Cal and UCLA are the final choices of hard-hitting defensive back Marlon McWilson (6-1, 200) of San Diego High. He was at UCLA last weekend, and has canceled a trip to Washington . . . Another visitor to UCLA over the weekend was fullback/linebacker Jon Ritchie (6-3, 230) of Mechanicsburg, Pa., one of the premier prospects in the nation. Ritchie is also considering Stanford, Michigan and Penn State.

Hoop Report: Two of the top six basketball players from California’s talented junior class were on the same court Monday night when Long Beach St. Anthony, led by 6-5 swingman Rick Price, played host to Bellflower St. John Bosco and its 6-5 point guard deluxe Jelani Gardner. Both players are being recruited by colleges from across the country. The individual matchup was a draw, with each player scoring 12 points. But the game itself was no contest as St. John Bosco rolled to an easy 67-42 victory. Actually, the best player in the gym was sitting in the stands: Lakewood Artesia’s 6-6 senior forward Charles O’Bannon.