Receiver CJ Sanders sticks to his word, signs with Notre Dame

For months, standout receiver CJ Sanders of Sherman Oaks Notre Dame High kept saying he was going to sign with the University of Notre Dame, but other college coaches tried to change his mind.

“It was crazy,” he said of the lobbying effort that began in May after he committed to the Fighting Irish. “My parents always taught me to be a man of my word. It was the perfect fit for me.”

Sanders signed with Notre Dame on Wednesday, the first day seniors could sign a letter of intent. He said other schools kept recruiting “nonstop” right up until the very end, even though he never wavered about playing for Notre Dame.

USC and UCLA signed some top talent out of Southland high schools, but the Trojans and Bruins didn’t get everybody.

Notre Dame also signed receiver Equanimeous St. Brown from Anaheim Servite High.

Bar Milo, a 6-foot-6, 275-pound offensive lineman who provided protection at West Hills Chaminade High for quarterback Brad Kaaya, will join Kaaya at Miami.

Kaaya signed with the Hurricanes a year ago and was Miami’s starter as a first-year freshman.

“I definitely feel more capable to protect him,” said Milo, who is scheduled to play Saturday in the USA International Bowl in Dallas. “I feel all the aspects in my game have increased.”

Arizona State made inroads in Southern California recruiting, luring All-Los Angeles Times defensive tackle Joseph Wicker from Long Beach Poly High. He had been heavily recruited by UCLA.

Stanford landed All-American receiver Trent Irwin from Newhall Hart.

Follow Eric Sondheimer on Twitter @LATSondheimer