COMMUNITY COLLEGE SIGNINGS : Saddleback’s Chrishon Picks Nevada

Running back Marcellus Chrishon, who won a trophy case-full of honors at Saddleback College, signed a letter of intent Wednesday to play at Nevada.

Chrishon, a sophomore from Mission Viejo High School, led the nation’s community college runners with 1,864 yards rushing and also scored 27 touchdowns last season. He helped the Gauchos to an 11-0 record and the J.C. Grid-Wire national championship.

Chrishon was selected to the J.C. Grid-Wire All-American team and was voted the state’s most valuable offensive player as well as being named offensive player of the year in the Mission Conference.

He finished with 2,774 yards rushing, the second-best total in the history of Saddleback. Toby Whipple had 3,088 in 1969-70. Chrishon also set a Saddleback career mark for touchdowns (46).

Chrishon, 5 feet 10 and 180 pounds, also took trips to Maryland, Missouri and Hawaii. He had narrowed his choices to Nevada and Maryland.

“I felt more comfortable with Nevada’s system and the coaches,” Chrishon said.

Chrishon rushed for 910 yards as a freshman at Saddleback. As a sophomore, he rushed for 100 or more yards in 10 of 11 games, including a personal-best 237 yards against Southwestern. He set a Saddleback record for the longest rushing play with a 90-yard touchdown run against Southwestern.

Four Rancho Santiago players have signed with four-year schools, including the college’s 1992 player of the year, Kaio Aumua of Los Amigos High.

Aumua, a 6-0, 220-pound sophomore defensive tackle who had 10 sacks last season, signed with Texas El Paso. Aumua was a first-team All-Mission Conference Central Division and All-State selection.

Other Rancho Santiago signings:

--Dedric Bentley, a 5-9, 170-pound All-Central Division safety from Santa Ana Valley High, with Humboldt State.

--Scott Nelson, a 6-1, 185-pound defensive back from Tustin High, with San Francisco State.

--Joe Polman, a 6-2, 215-pound linebacker/nose guard from Santiago High, with Lewis and Clark (Ore.) College.