Colton Standout Commits to USC

Some of the sting from USC’s national-title game loss to Texas might have subsided Saturday.

Colton’s Allen Bradford, considered the top outside linebacker prospect in the nation, was one of four blue-chip recruits who committed to play for the Trojans during the Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio.

Although the East squad beat the West, 27-16, behind three touchdowns by Akron (Ohio) Garfield running back Chris Wells, USC was a winner during the nationally televised contest.

“The only way that SC can go is down, but if they keep getting players like me, they can go up and stay on top,” said 6-foot-2, 225-pound Bradford, who rushed for 1,869 yards and 35 touchdowns and made 157 tackles this season.

USC also received commitments from 6-4 receiver David Ausberry of Lemoore (Calif.), running back Emmanuel Moody of Coppell (Texas) and 6-5, 280-pound offensive lineman Butch Lewis from Aurora (Colo.) Regis Jesuit.

Commitments are non-binding until recruits sign letters of intent on Feb. 1. NCAA rules forbid college coaches from commenting on the recruiting process until signing day.

The haul of players boosts USC’s 2006 recruiting class ranking from No. 11 to No. 5, said Jamie Newberg, national recruiting analyst for Scout.com, an Internet sports network.

“That tells you the significance of the four they got,” Newberg said. “They’re all big-time players. With the guys USC is after, they’re going to make a serious run at the No. 1 spot. I just don’t know if they’re going to have enough scholarships to catch Florida.”

Moody, who is 6-1, 195 pounds and was committed to Texas until November, chose the Trojans over Miami. He rushed for 1,141 yards and 14 touchdowns this season.

“I can come in and play as a freshman and get the starting job,” said Moody, who wore a mesh USC ball cap after the game. “I don’t want to be compared to Reggie Bush or any of that. I’m just going to do my own thing and play like Emmanuel Moody plays.”

Moody rushed for 12 yards in four carries and Ausberry had two receptions for 48 yards.

UCLA picked up a commitment from Long Beach Poly wide receiver Terrence Austin, who caught a nine-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter from Texas-bound quarterback Jevan Snead of Stephenville (Texas).

The 5-11, 175-pound Austin had 46 receptions for 920 yards and eight touchdowns this season.

“UCLA has been my gut feeling since my junior year,” said Austin, who had two catches for 13 yards Saturday.

“They were the first to offer me. They made me feel like I was really wanted.”

Thayer Evans

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Toby Gerhart, The Times’ player of the year and a Parade All-American, was in the Norco High weight room during the All-American Bowl.

“It’s kind of frustrating,” said Gerhart, a professional baseball prospect who did not receive an invitation to the Army game or the CaliFlorida Bowl this winter. “I don’t know why I’m not in. Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise. That’s the way I look at it, but I’d like to be out there. The greats are in that game and people say, ‘Oh, you must not be as good as they say.’ ”

Gerhart, who led the state in rushing with 3,233 yards this season and finished with a state-record 9,662 yards in his career, was selected state player of the year by Gatorade and Cal-Hi Sports.

“Maybe I’m not a good marketer,” said Norco Coach Todd Gerhart, Toby’s father.

“I was in a tough spot as a head coach because of nepotism. If I threw out highlight films all over the country, it looks bad. So I just sent them to those who asked. As a coach, maybe I should have publicized him more.”

-- Martin Henderson