UCLA Gets Commitment From Walker

UCLA is nearing the end of its football recruiting season, with linebacker Wesley Walker of La Puente Bishop Amat becoming the Bruins’ 24th commitment.

Schools are allowed to bring in no more than 25 scholarship players in one year, but UCLA could end up asking a player or two to defer their enrollment until January 2003 if any late-deciding prospects pick the Bruins. Student Sports magazine has UCLA ranked No. 3 in the recruiting race behind No. 1 Texas and Ohio State.

The first day seniors can sign a letter of intent is Feb. 6....

Running back Lorenzo Booker of Ventura St. Bonaventure has a new suitor in San Diego State, where Tom Craft has taken over the program. Craft, hired in December, was the offensive coordinator from 1994-96 when Marshall Faulk starred for the Aztecs. St. Bonaventure offensive coordinator Tim Gutierrez, who has compared Booker to Faulk, was a San Diego State quarterback then. Booker, who has visited Florida State, Washington and Notre Dame, and plans to visit USC, could not be reached for comment. Representatives from all five schools have visited St. Bonaventure this week. “It’s been crazy,” Coach Jon Mack said. “Lorenzo doesn’t have a free minute.” ...

USC has landed Indio linebacker Oscar Lua, who said he will sign with the Trojans because he will be allowed to play baseball, too....

Defensive back A.J. Martinez of Huntington Beach Edison enjoyed his recruiting trip to San Diego State last weekend. He could play football and baseball for the Aztecs. He’s visiting Hawaii this weekend with teammate Denny Flanagan, a receiver. Fresno State also has entered the recruiting competition for Flanagan....

Keith Howell, an All-Foothill League defensive back and receiver at Newhall Hart, has committed to Harvard. Running back Tristan Walker of Claremont has committed to Colorado State....

Santa Margarita, ranked No. 1 by The Times in girls’ soccer, had three players commit to four-year schools. Sweeper Daniella Bosio is headed to Pepperdine, stopper Tricia Regan to Colorado and fullback Becca Mildrew to Harvard....

Randy Poggio, a three-year varsity soccer player at Santa Ana Mater Dei who has 22 goals this season, has committed to San Jose State.

Eric Sondheimer, Lauren Peterson, John Klima and Bob Rohwer