By John Sleeper
Herald Writer
SEATTLE – Got plans at 3 p.m. today?
Lorenzo Booker does.
So do Rick Neuheisel, Bobby Bowden, Pete Carroll and Tyrone Willingham.
Booker, the nation’s leading tailback prospect, is expected to announce on ESPN his choice of universities at mid-afternoon today as part of National Signing Day. The choices for the 5-foot-11, 185-pounder from St. Bonaventure High School in Ventura, Calif.: Washington, Florida State, USC and Notre Dame.
For the Huskies, landing Booker would be a coup. Generally considered a recruiting class not as powerful as last year’s top-5 class, Washington’s Class of 2002 simply does not have the eye-catching names of Reggie Williams and Charles Frederick.
That could change should the Huskies snag Booker.
“They’re not a top-10 class right now,” said Rick Krimbrel, managing editor of PrepStar, a recruiting-oriented magazine. “Booker and another top guy would probably put them there, maybe high top 10.”
A look at Booker’s numbers say why. Thought of as a Napoleon Kaufman type, Booker rushed for 2,878 yards, 12.5 yards a carry, and 45 touchdowns. Allen Wallace, publisher of SuperPrep magazine, says Booker has “amazing acceleration, moves, vision and elusiveness.”
Although it’s believed that Washington and Florida State are slightly ahead in Booker’s world, USC is making a strong bid to keep Booker at home. Wallace said Washington has had more trouble than usual prying away top southern California prospects from USC and UCLA because both the Trojans and Bruins are under heavy pressure to upgrade their programs.
Certainly, Booker has played his elite position for all its worth.
He said in mid-December that Washington was the slight favorite. Since then, he has said that Florida State has been a lifelong favorite. Notre Dame came into the picture once it hired Willingham away from Stanford. USC is on the list because of reports that Booker’s mother doesn’t like to fly.
Even if Washington doesn’t land Booker, this year’s class isn’t without quality. The Huskies received a verbal commit from Garfield quarterback Isaiah Stanback, considered the state’s top prospect. Then, too, are prospects on the offensive and defensive lines.
Offensive tackle Nathan Rhodes of Bakersfield, Calif., chose Washington over Tennessee and UCLA. Defensive end Donnie Mateaki, 6-6, 265 pounds out of Honolulu, Hawaii, is considered an excellent run stopper and pass rusher.
Leading prospects who haven’t verbally committed include: defensive lineman Chris Solomona of El Camino (Calif.) Junior College, who committed to Washington two years ago but didn’t academically qualify (he also is thinking about Oregon); offensive lineman Albert Toeaina of Pittsburg, Calif., who originally committed to UW but is now heavily considering Oregon State; and wide receiver Rhema McKnight of LaPalama, Calif., choosing between Washington, UCLA, Notre Dame and Florida.
Future Huskies?
The University of Washington’s verbal commitments, as of Tuesday
Brandon Ala DE 6-3 225 Honolulu, Hawaii (Kamehameha)
Ben Bandel TE 6-7250 Murrietta, Calif. (Murrietta Valley)
Jason Benn TE 6-5 240 Seattle (O’Dea)
Dash Crutchley LB 6-6 215 Temecula, Calif. (Chaparral)
Matthew Fountaine CB 5-11 180 Oakland, Calif. (Bishop O’Dowd)
Dashon Goldson S 6-2 180 Harbor City, Calif. (Narbonne)
Robin Kezarian OL 6-4 270 Fresno, Calif. (Central)
Donnie Mateaki DE 6-5 265 Honolulu, Hawaii (Iolani)
Daniel Milsten DE 6-5 265 Puyallup (Rogers)
Shelton Sampson TB 5-11 176 Lakewood (Clover Park)
Nate Robinson RB 5-9 170 Seattle (Rainier Beach)
Jordan Slye QB 6-5 190 Seattle (Franklin)
Jordan Reffett DE 6-6 250 Moses Lake
Nathan Rhodes OL 6-7 305 Bakersfield, Calif. (East)
Isaiah Stanback QB 6-3 190 Seattle (Garfield)
Clayton Walker OL 6-4 270 Scottsdale, Ariz. (Horizon)
Scott White LB 6-2 233 San Diego (Mission Bay)
Local letters of intent
The following Western Conference players from the are expected to sign letters of intent today to play college football.
Ryan AndrewsLake StevensFS6-0170Central Wash.
or Western Wash.
David EnebergKamiakOLB6-0195Eastern Washington
Keith GrennanEd.-WoodwayOL6-7325Central Washington
Matt SteinerKamiakFB6-2220Portland State
The following players might not sign today, but likely will play college football next season: Derek Bennion, Snohomish, PK, 5-10, 185, Western Washington; Joseph Boitano, Arlington, RB/S, 5-9, 180, Linfield (Ore.), Western Washington; Markee Broussard, Mariner, RB/DB, 5-9, 180, College of the Redwoods (Calif.); Jesse Calderon, Cascade, OL/DL, 6-4, 285, Butte College (Calif.); Joey Daube, Lake Stevens, LB, College of the Redwoods; Kevin Farnham, Snohomish, OL/DL, 6-1, 230, Idaho, Eastern Washington; Ian Gill, Kamiak, OL, 6-2, 270, Azusa Pacific (Calif.); Matt Heinle, Edmonds-Woodway, LB/WR, 6-4, 185, Western Washington; Steve Jones, Mariner, FB/DT, 5-9, 260, College of the Redwoods; Johnny Mack, Kamiak, QB, 6-2, 185, Central Washington; Kevin McCormack, Arlington, QB, 6-2, 200, Western Washington, Minot St. (ND); Zach Schumpert, Monroe, OG, 6-2, 275, Linfield; Tim Smith, Edmonds-Woodway, FB-LB, 6-0, 210, Simon Fraser (Calif.); Mike Stockl, Mariner, RB/DB, 5-10, 190, College of the Redwoods; Justin Washington, Kamiak, LB, 5-11, 205, Eastern Washington.
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