McCutcheon Selects USC, Has Big Plans

Daylon McCutcheon, The Times’ high school football player of the year, ended weeks of speculation Saturday by signing a letter of intent with USC.

The senior from La Puente Bishop Amat chose the Trojans over Colorado and Washington. He announced his decision at a team banquet at the high school.

“I don’t think it will be long before we are contending for a national championship,” McCutcheon said.

McCutcheon, 5 feet 10 and 175 pounds, played a variety of positions at Bishop Amat but was recruited as a defensive back. This past season he rushed for a school record 2,450 yards and 28 touchdowns and had eight interceptions.

Most players signed letters of intent last Wednesday, the beginning of the national signing period. McCutcheon waited because he said he need the extra days to “sort it all out.”

McCutcheon’s signing increases USC’s recruiting class to 15 players, and Coach John Robinson said he may add more before the season starts.

Other USC signings announced Saturday were Mike Bastianelli, an option quarterback-defensive back from Concord De La Salle High, and Aaron Williams, a 6-4, 230-pound defensive end-outside linebacker from Lawndale Leuzinger.