Next Chapter for Booker Will Be at Florida State

In a suspense-filled, nationally televised news conference, running back Lorenzo Booker of Ventura St. Bonaventure High turned a day of indecision into a celebration for Coach Bobby Bowden and Florida State.

Booker, who holds state records for yards rushing (8,502) and touchdowns (137) in his career, made an agonizing announcement Wednesday afternoon at an Oxnard restaurant at the end of a hectic day in which he decided Notre Dame would be his college choice, only to change his mind.

He said he made up his mind to sign with Notre Dame on Tuesday night and woke up Wednesday expecting to sign a letter of intent with the Fighting Irish.

Minutes before his announcement, Booker was on his cell phone speaking with Florida State recruiting coordinator John Lilly.

Even after revealing his decision to sign with Florida State, Booker looked dazed instead of relieved.

Booker gave serious consideration to Notre Dame because it was closer for his mother to travel and he was impressed with new Coach Tyrone Willingham. But he has been a Florida State fan since childhood and repeatedly watches the Seminoles’ 2000 Sugar Bowl victory over Virginia Tech on video.

“I can’t see myself in any other uniform,” he said. “I knew I wanted to go to [Florida State] from the start. It wasn’t easy changing my mind. I got war chant songs on my CD. Every time I start a season in video games, I’m Florida State.”

Bowden visited the Booker home in Hueneme last week and made a lasting impression.

Notre Dame didn’t come up empty on top Southern California recruits. The Fighting Irish beat out UCLA and Washington for All-American receiver Rhema McKnight of La Palma Kennedy.

McKnight said he made the decision Tuesday night, citing Notre Dame’s academic environment as the deciding factor.

“Academics and athletics go hand in hand,” said McKnight, who plans to major in psychology. “The networking at Notre Dame is great. You could graduate and go to South Dakota and find a job.”

McKnight also visited Florida and Oregon. He said the Gators were front-runners until Coach Steve Spurrier suddenly resigned Jan. 4.

McKnight, who played quarterback, running back, wide receiver and defensive back last season, isn’t sure what position he’ll play at Notre Dame, but he’s confident he’ll contribute early.

“I feel I can go there and do anything,” he said. “Not to be cocky or anything, but I feel like I can come out and make an impact right away, no matter where I’m playing.”

Long Beach Poly, the Southern Section Division I champion, had 10 players sign Wednesday.

Besides Hershel Dennis, Winston Justice, Darnell Bing and Manuel Wright signing with USC and Marcedes Lewis choosing UCLA, defensive back Chris Davis signed with New Mexico State, tailback Rory Carrington and linebacker Pago Togafau signed with Idaho State, and tailback John Henry Williams and defensive tackle Ernesto Villasenor signed with Adams State, a Division II school in Alamosa, Colo.

Compton Centennial’s Darius Sanders signed with Oregon to play football and basketball. Sanders, a 6-foot-6 center who averages 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Apaches, starred as a defensive end on the Lynwood football team in the fall.

Harbor City Narbonne, the City Section Invitational champion, was expected to have seven players sign this week.

One player who did not sign was receiver Denny Flanagan of Huntington Beach Edison. He committed to San Diego State last week only to learn the Aztecs no longer had a scholarship available. Now Hawaii has made an offer.

“He’s a hot commodity for somebody who didn’t sign,” Edison Coach Dave White said. “It’s going to work out.”

Ben Olson of Thousand Oaks, considered among the top quarterbacks in the nation, signed with Brigham Young.

Running back Frederick Collins, who rushed for 2,209 yards and led La Quinta to consecutive Division IX titles, signed with San Diego State.

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Staff writers Ben Bolch and Dan Arritt and correspondent John Klima contributed to this report.