Robinson Makes Impact at USC : Signings: At least two recruits change their minds, sign with Trojans.

Sammy Knight, an All-American defensive back from Riverside Rubidoux High, was about to accept a football scholarship to UCLA in December.

Then Larry Smith was fired as coach of USC and replaced by John Robinson. Knight, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound senior, was suddenly interested in the Trojans. He visited USC last weekend and was impressed.

“If Larry Smith had stayed on as coach, I don’t think I would have gone to USC,” said Knight, who had 153 tackles, 11 interceptions and four fumble recoveries last season. “But after visiting with Coach Robinson, I changed my mind. What he means to football and the enthusiasm he has brought to USC were too hard to pass up. His goals are the same as mine.”

Knight was one of 12 players who signed letters of intent with the Trojans on Wednesday, national signing day.

Knight, whose older brother, Ryan, played tailback at USC from 1984-87, was not the only player who shifted gears because of Robinson. Chris Brymer, an offensive lineman from Apple Valley, said last month he would attend Washington but signed Wednesday with USC.

“Coach Robinson is a legend,” Brymer said. “I thought he would be real cocky, but he’s a normal, everyday guy.”

Robinson, who promised a return to the power running game, signed two running backs. The most notable is Saladin McCullough of Pasadena Muir. McCullough, 5-10 and 180 pounds, averaged nine yards per carry while rushing for 2,142 yards and 36 touchdowns last season.

“By the time I had my staff all in place, there were only about 2 1/2 weeks left for recruiting,” Robinson said. “Certainly we feel we could have done better with more time. But we’re happy with what we got. We’re re-creating the image of what USC football is all about.”

Not everyone was happy with Smith’s firing. Andy Meyers, an offensive lineman from Fontana, announced he would play at USC in December but signed with UCLA after the coaching change.

The Bruins signed 17 players Wednesday, all but two coming from California. UCLA coaches declined comment on the recruiting class but apparently are elated about signing defensive lineman Travis Kirschke, considered the top player in the Southland.

Kirschke, 6-5, 255, was a three-year starter at Anaheim Esperanza, which went 39-2 and won two section titles during that time.

UCLA signed seven offensive linemen.

Kicker Jason Lesley of Palacios, Tex., and running back Bryan Hicks of Burkburnett, Tex., who chose UCLA over USC, were the only out-of-state players the Bruins signed.

Stanford signed quarterback Tim Carey of Los Alamitos, and running back Eliel Swinton of Van Nuys Montclair Prep signed with the Cardinal. Carey passed for 3,204 yards and 34 touchdowns last season, and Swinton rushed for 2,369 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Cal also did well locally, signing quarterback Pat Barnes of Mission Viejo Trabuco Hills and running back Tarik Smith of Oak Park.

Recent allegations about possible NCAA violations in the Washington football program seem to have hurt the school. The Huskies, who have built their team around California recruits, signed only five players from the state.

Germaine Gray, a defensive lineman from Rialto Eisenhower, said he chose Florida State over Washington because of the recent flap.

Times staff writer Jeff Fellenzer contributed to this story.