University Southern California Trojans
USC Announces Football Signings
June 21, 1999 | Football
February 3, 1999
LOS ANGELES - Sixteen high school football players and 4 junior college players have signed letters of intent with USC, head coach Paul Hackett announced today.
One other player -- prep All-American TE Jacob Rogers of Oxnard (Calif.) High -- is already enrolled as a freshman at USC for the current spring semester and will participate in spring practice, Hackett also announced.
Nine of the recruits won All-American first team honors during their high school or junior college careers.
"We're delighted with the 1999 class that is coming to USC," said Hackett, who last season guided USC to an 8-5 record and a Sun Bowl appearance in his first year at Troy. "These players fill many of our pressing needs. But the most impressive characteristic of this class is its overall speed.
"We brought in some outstanding defensive backs and linebackers, which were the two positions we were hit the hardest with losses from last year's team. We also signed an outstanding corps of wide receivers, plus some very good defensive linemen and tight ends. And I believe we got a good start at addressing our needs on the offensive line."
The prep All-Americans among next fall's incoming freshmen include WR Marcell Allmond of St. Paul High in Santa Fe Springs, Calif.; WR Kareem Kelly and DB Darrell Rideaux of Long Beach (Calif.) Poly High; DL Bernard Riley of Los Alamitos (Calif.) High; OL Nate Steinbacher of Esperanza High in Anaheim, Calif.; WR Steve Stevenson of Charter Oak High in Covina, Calif.; and OL Lenny Vandermade of Mater Dei High in Santa Ana, Calif.
Other incoming freshmen will be DL Sagan Atuatasi of Los Alamitos High; TE Chad Cook of Jesuit High in Portland, Ore.; LB Aaron Graham of Bakersfield (Calif.) High; OL Norm Katnik of Foothill High in Santa Ana, Calif.; OL Luke MacKayof Hughson (Calif.) High; LB Omar Nazel of Skyline High in Oakland; DB Troy Polamalu of Douglas High in Winston, Ore.; LB Chris Prosser of Morse High in San Diego, Calif.; and OL Eric Torres of Bishop Montgomery HS in Torrance,
One junior college player -- LB Markus Steele of Long Beach (Calif.) City College -- earned All-American notice last fall. The other juco signees are DB DeShaun Hill of Long Beach City College, ATH Craig Mitchell of West Los Angeles (Calif.) Community College and PK David Newbury of Navarro Junior College in Corsicana, Tex. Hill and Newbury will enroll as sophomores and the others will enter as juniors.
Several of the freshmen also are elite track and field performers, including 3 who won an event at the 1998 California State meet -- Rideaux (100 meters), Kelly (200 meters) and Allmond (high hurdles) -- and MacKay, who was ranked third nationally in the discus throw. Graham is a nationally-ranked wrestler. Katnik is the nephew of ex-USC starting center John Katnik (1986-87), Mitchell is the cousin of current USC assistant coach Dennis Thurman and Polamalu is the nephew of ex-USC fullback Kennedy Pola (1982-85).
BIOGRAPHIES ON USC'S 1999 FOOTBALL RECRUITS
MARCELL ALLMOND -- He was a 1998 Super Prep All-American, Prep Star Dream Team Top 100, USA Today All-USA honorable mention, Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-Western, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West first team, Orange County Register Fab 15 second team, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, Las Vegas Sun Super 11 second team, Cal-Hi Sports All-State first team, All-CIF Southern Section first team, All-CIF Division III first team, Los Angeles Times All-South Coast/Southeast, Long Beach Press-Telegram Dream Team first team and All-League MVP pick as a senior at St. Paul High in Santa Fe Springs (Calif.). In 1998, he had 900-plus receiving yards, intercepted 5 passes and returned punts for an average of 21.9 yards (with 3 scoring punt runbacks). He scored 14 touchdowns on offense and defense. St. Paul was a 1998 CIF Division III finalist. As a 1997 junior, he earnedAll-Area (first team on defense and second team on offense) and Long Beach Press-Telegram Dream Team second team honors while atching 36 passes for 746 yards (20.7 avg.) and 7 TDs on offense and getting 2 interceptions while averaging 8.5 tackles a game on defense. He also starred in track, winning the 1998 state high hurdles race in 13.83 and posting bests of 6-10 in the high jump and 37.8 in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles. In the decathlon, he won the 1996 Junior Olympics title and, as a 17-year-old, was leading the 1998 Junior National championship (for ages 19 and under) after 8 events, but sprained his ankle (ending his chance to qualify for the World Junior meet). He also played basketball at St. Paul.
SAGAN ATUATASI -- He earned 1998 Super Prep All-Far West, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West first team, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, Las Vegas Sun Super 11 second team, All-CIF Division I first team, Orange County Register All-Orange County first team and Long Beach Press-Telegram Dream Team first team honors as a senior at Los Alamitos (Calif.) High. In 1998, he had 76 tackles (55 solo), 18 tackles for losses, 8 sacks and 4 deflections. Los Alamitos went 12-1 and was a CIF Division I semifinalist. As a 1997 junior, he was an All-League choice while notching 49 tackles, 12 tackles for losses, 8 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery. Current USC recruit Bernard Riley and current Trojans Stanley Guyness and Ifeanyi Ohalete also prepped at Los Alamitos.
CHAD COOK -- He was named to the 1998 USA Today All-USA honorable mention, Super Prep All-Northwest, Long Beach Press- Telegram Best in the West honorable mention and The Oregonian All-State 4-A first team (as a tight end) and second team (as a linebacker) as a senior at Jesuit High in Portland (Ore.). He missed the last half of his 1998 senior season with a torn knee ligament, but still caught 23 passes for 392 yards (17.0 avg.) and 4 TDs (2 scores went 60-plus yards) on offense and had 3 interceptions on defense as an outside linebacker. Jesuit was a state 4-A semifinalist. He was an All-State honorable mention selection as a 1997 junior and saw limited time as a sophomore in 1996 because of a broken finger. He also participated in track (long jump, shot put) at Jesuit.
AARON GRAHAM -- He earned 1998 USA Today All-USA honorable mention, Super Prep All-Farwest, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West second team, Orange County Register Fab 15 third team, Las Vegas Sun Super 11 honorable mention, Cal-Hi Sports All-State second team and All-League MVP as a senior at Bakersfield (Calif.) High. In 1998, he posted 135 tackles, 22 tackles for losses, 2 sacks, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery and 3 forced fumbles. As a 1997 junior, he was selected to the Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass second team, All-Area and All-League Linebacker MVP. He also wrestled at Bakersfield, where he ranked first in California and fifth in the U.S. in the prep heavyweight division.
DESHAUN HILL -- He made the 1998 All-Mission Conference Northern Division second team as a freshman at Long Beach (Calif.) City College. In 1998, he had 68 tackles (second on the team), including 48 solo, plus 8 deflections and 1 forced fumble. Long Beach City was 10-1 in 1998 and ranked third in the state and sixth nationally. Current USC recruit Markus Steele also attended Long Beach City. He prepped at Long Beach (Calif.) Poly High. He missed his 1997 senior season (Long Beach Poly was the CIF Division I champion that year) because of a broken leg. Current USC recruits Kareem Kelly and Darrell Rideaux and current Trojan Mike Pollard also prepped at Long Beach Poly.
NORM KATNICK -- He was picked to the 1998 Super Prep All-Farwest team as a senior at Foothill High in Santa Ana (Calif.). His father, Norman, was a 2-year starting center at Arizona (1978-79), while his uncle, John Katnik, started at center for USC in 1986 and 1987.
KAREEM KELLY -- He was a 1998 Super Prep All-American, Prep Star Dream Team Top 100, ESPN Top 100, The Sporting News 101 Prime Prospects, Rivalnet Top 100, USA Today All-USA honorable mention, Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-Western, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West first team (unanimous selection), Orange County Register Fab 15 first team, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, Las Vegas Sun Super 11 first team, Cal-Hi Sports All-State second team, All-CIF Southern Section first team, All-CIF Division I first team, Los Angeles Times All-South Coast/Southeast and Long Beach Press-Telegram Dream Team first team as a senior at Long Beach(Calif.) Poly High. In 1998, he had 50 receptions for 1,096 yards (21.9 avg.) and 17 TDs. Long Beach Poly was a CIF Division I finalist. As a 1997 junior, he made All-CIF Southern Section second team, All-CIF Division I first team, Long Beach Press-Telegram second team and All-League while catching 43 passes for 560 yards (13.0 avg.) and 9 TDs. Long Beach Poly was the CIF Division I champion. In his 3-year career, his team went 36-5. He also starred on Long Beach Poly's track team, which won the 1997 and 1998 state titles while he was the 1998 state 200-meter champion in a meet-record 20.76 and a member of the winning 400-meter relay squad. His best times are 10.28 in the 100 meters (the top time in the state in 1998) and 20.53 in the 200. Current USC recruits DeShaun Hill and Darrell Rideaux and current Trojan Mike Pollard also prepped at Long Beach Poly. His cousin is ex-USC safety (1995-98) Rashard Cook.
LUKE MACKAY -- He was named to the 1998 Super Prep All-Farwest, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West first team, Las Vegas Sun Super 11 honorable mention and All-Trans-Valley League Lineman MVP as a senior at Hughson (Calif.) High. His team was a CIF San Joaquin Section semifinalist. As a 1997 junior, he played tight end, offensive line and defensive end and earned Cal-Hi Sports All-State Junior second team. He made 50 tackles, 5 tackles for losses, 5 sacks and 3 deflections in 1997. In his career, he caught 40 passes for 840 yards (21.0 avg.) with 6 TDs. He also starred on Hughson's track team, where he was ranked third nationally in 1998 in the discus throw at 197-0 and also competed in the shot put (61-0 best) and hammer throw (214-0 best). He also played basketball at Hughson.
CRAIG MITCHELL -- He caught 56 passes for 922 yards (16.5 avg.) and 5 TDs as a sophomore in 1998 at West Los Angeles (Calif.) Community College. He also rushed for 96 yards and 1 score in 1998. Current Trojan Tanqueray Clark also attended West Los Angeles. He prepped at Hamilton High in Los Angeles. USC assistant coach Dennis Thurman is his cousin.
OMAR NAZEL -- He made the 1998 USA Today All-USA honorable mention, Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-Western, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West first team, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, Las Vegas Sun Super 11 honorable mention, Cal-Hi Sports All-State first team, Oakland Tribune All-Oakland MVP and San Francisco Examiner All-Metro first teamas a senior at Skyline High in Oakland (Calif.). In 1998, he made 86 tackles, 16 sacks, 2 interceptions (including 1 for a touchdown) and 1 block. As a 1997 junior, he was picked to the Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass second team while he had 63 tackles, 16 sacks, 10 tackles for losses, 4 fumble recoveries, 4 forced fumbles and 4 blocked punts. He also played basketball at Skyline and was a 1998 Student Sports Grid-Hoops All-West selection.
DAVID NEWBURY -- He was a 1998 Super Prep JUCO 100 and Southwest JC Conference second team pick as a freshman at Navarro Junior College in Corsicana (Tex.). In 1998, he made 26-of-27 PATs and hit 7-of-12 field goals, 3 of which were game-winners. His longest field goal, a 42-yarder, was the game-winner against Kilgore JC. Navarro went 7-4 in 1998, advanced to the Region XIV final and had a final national ranking of No. 15. He prepped at Corsicana (Tex.) High.
TROY POLAMALU -- He was named to the 1998 Super Prep All-Northwest and Tacoma News Tribune Western 100 teams as a senior at Douglas High in Winston (Ore.). He played in only 2 games of the 1998 season because of injuries (bruised kidney, sprained shoulder and torn back muscles). As a 1997 junior, he rushed for 22 TDs and more than 1,000 yards, had 340 receiving yards and made 65 tackles and 7 interceptions. In his 3 years at Douglas, he averaged 6 touchdowns a season. He also played baseball (center field) at Douglas. He spent his freshman season at Mater Dei High in Santa Ana, Calif. His uncle is former USC fullback Kennedy Pola (1982-85), now an assistant coach at Washington, and his cousin, Nicky Sualua, is a running back with the Dallas Cowboys. His full name is Troy Polamalu Aumua.
CHRIS PROSSER -- He made the 1998 Super Prep All-Farwest, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West honorable mention, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, Las Vegas Sun Super 11 second team, Cal-Hi Sports All-State second team, All-CIF San Diego Section first team as a senior at Morse High in San Diego (Calif.). In 1998, he had 104 tackles, 27 tackles for losses, 18 sacks, 6 forced fumbles and 2 blocked punts. As a 1997 junior, he was named All-County and All-League while posting 85 tackles and 20 sacks. Current Trojan Lonnie Ford also prepped at Morse.
DARRELL RIDEAUX -- He was selected to the 1998 USA Today All-USA first team, Parade All-American, Super Prep All-American, Student Sports All-American, Rivalnet All-American first team, Super Prep National 50, Prep Star Dream Team Top 100, ESPN Top 100, The Sporting News 101 Prime Prospects, Rivalnet Top 100, Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-Western, Long Beach Press- Telegram Best in the West first team, Orange County Register Fab 15 first team, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, Las Vegas Sun Super 11 first team, Cal-Hi Sports All-State first team, All-CIF Southern Section first team, All-CIF Division I first team (for the third consecutive year), Los Angeles Times All-South Coast/Southeast and Long Beach Press-Telegram Dream Team first teamas a senior at Long Beach (Calif.) Poly High. In 1998, he had 44 tackles (37 solo), 2 interceptions, 11 deflections, 1 blocked punt and 1 blocked field goal. Long Beach Poly was a CIF Division I finalist. As a 1997 junior, he made the Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass first team, All-CIF Southern Section first team, All-CIF Division I MVP, Los Angeles Times All-South Coast/Southeast first team and Long Beach Press-Telegram Dream Team first team while getting 45 tackles, 4 interceptions and 4 blocks. Long Beach Poly won the CIF Division I championship. He was on the All-CIF Division I first team and Long Beach Press-Telegram Dream Team first teamas a 1996 sophomore. In one game as a soph, he intercepted 4 passes, blocked 2 kicks, caused and recovered a fumble and had 11 tackles. A 4-year starter at Poly (the first in school history), he had 14 interceptions and 18 blocks in his career. He also starred on Long Beach Poly's track team, which won the 1997 and 1998 state titles while he was the 1998 state 100-meter champion with a best of 10.30. Current USC recruits DeShaun Hill and Kareem Kelly and current Trojan Mike Pollard also prepped at Long Beach Poly.
BERNARD RILEY -- He made the 1998 USA Today All-USA first team, Parade All-American, Super Prep All-American, Student Sports All-American, Super Prep National 50, Prep Star Dream Team Top 100, ESPN Top 100, The Sporting News 101 Prime Prospects, Rivalnet Top 100, Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-Western, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West first team (unanimous selection), Orange County Register Fab 15 first team, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, Las Vegas Sun Super 11 first team, Cal-Hi Sports All-State first team, All-CIF Southern Section first team, All-CIF Division I first team, Los Angeles Times All-Orange County Lineman MVP, Orange County Register All-Orange County first team and Long Beach Press-Telegram Dream Team first team as a senior at Los Alamitos (Calif.) High. In 1998, he had 114 tackles (49 solo), 29 tackles for losses, 9 sacks and 5 deflections despite playing with a broken finger and separated shoulder. He also played linebacker and fullback. Los Alamitos went 12-1 and was a CIF Division I semifinalist. As a 1997 junior, he was picked to the Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass first team and Long Beach Press-Telegram Dream Team second team while making 107 tackles (57 solo), 19 tackles for losses, 9 sacks and 4 deflections. He also rushed for 7 touchdowns as a fullback in goal line situations. During his 1996 sophomore season, he once had 4 interceptions in a game. Current USC recruit Sagan Atuatasi and current Trojans Stanley Guyness and Ifeanyi Ohalete also prepped at Los Alamitos.
JACOB ROGERS -- He entered USC in the spring of 1999 as a freshman. He was a 1998 Super Prep All-American, Super Prep All- Farwest, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best of the West first team, Orange Country Register Fab 15 second team, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100 and Las Vegas Sun Super 11 honorable mention as a senior at Oxnard (Calif.) High. In 1998, he had 39 receptions for 412 yards (10.6 avg.) and 4 TDs, despite missing the last 4 games of the season with a separated shoulder. He also played defensive end, linebacker and punter (he averaged more than 40 yards per punt). As a 1997 junior, he caught 17 passes for 201 yards (11.8 avg.) and 5 TDs. In his career, he had 62 catches for 712 yards (11.5 avg.). He played quarterback as a 1995 freshman. He also played basketball at Oxnard, averaging 10 rebounds a game. Current Trojan Chad Pierson also prepped at Oxnard.
MARKUS STEELE -- He was picked to the 1998 J.C. Grid-Wire All-American first team, J.C. Athletic Bureau All-American Defensive MVP, Super Prep JUCO 100, J.C. Athletic Bureau All-State Region IV Defensive MVP and All-Mission Conference Northern Division Defensive MVP as a sophomore at Long Beach (Calif.) City College. In 1998, he posted 93 tackles, 17 tackles for losses, 8 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, a fumble recovery (for a TD), an interception (for a TD) and 2 blocks. He also carried the ball 4 times for 39 yards (9.8 avg.). Long Beach City was 10-1 in 1998 and ranked third in the state and sixth nationally. As a 1997 freshman, he made the J.C. Athletic Bureau All-State Region IV first team and All-Mission Conference Northern Division first team while making 96 tackles, 20 tackles for losses, 8 sacks and 2 interceptions. Current USC recruit DeShaun Hill also attended Long Beach City. He prepped at Chanel High in New Bedford (Ohio).
NATE STEINBACHER -- He was a 1998 Super Prep All-American, USA Today All-USA honorable mention, Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-Western, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West first team, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, Cal-Hi Sports All-State first team, Orange County Register All-Orange County first team, All-Sunset League first team as a senior at Esperanza High in Anaheim (Calif.). He was a 2-year starter on the offensive line. Current Trojan Pat Swanson also prepped at Esperanza. As a 1995 freshman, he attended Costa Mesa (Calif.) High and was on the varsity golf team.
STEVE STEVENSON -- He was named a 1998 Super Prep All-American, USA Today All-USA honorable mention, ESPN Top 100, Rivalnet Top 100, Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-Western, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West first team, Orange County Register Fab 15 second team, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, Las Vegas Sun Super 11 honorable mention, Cal-Hi Sports All-State first team, All-CIF Southern Section first team, All-CIF Division VII Offensive MVP and Los Angeles Times All-San Gabriel Valley as a senior at Charter Oak High in Covina (Calif.). In 1998, he had 35 receptions for 758 yards (21.7 avg.) and 10 TDs as a wide receiver, 743 yards on 100 carries (7.4 avg.) with 14 TDs as a running back and 89 tackles, 3 sacks, 6 interceptions and 5 deflections on defense. He scored 16 touchdowns during Charter Oak's run to the CIF Division VII championship. As a 1997 junior, he made the All-CIF Southern Section second team, All-CIF Division VI first team and All-League while catching 62 passes for 1,29 yards (23.0 avg.) and 12 scores on offense and 4 interceptions on defense. He also was on Charter Oak's track team, where he competed in the 100 meters (10.9 best), long jump and triple jump.
ERIC TORRES -- He was selected to the 1998 Super Prep All-Farwest, Orange County Register Fab 15 third team, Las Vegas Sun Super 11 honorable mention and All-League teams as a senior at Bishop Montgomery High in Torrance (Calif.). He played offensive line, tight end, linebacker and defensive end. He also played basketball at Bishop Montgomery. Current Trojans Frank Carter and Henry Wallace also prepped at Bishop Montgomery.
LENNY VANDERMADE -- He was a 1998 Super Prep All-American, USA Today All-USA honorable mention, Prep Star Dream Team Top 100, Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-Western, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West honorable mention, Orange County Register Fab 15 second team, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, Cal-Hi Sports All-State first team, All-CIF Southern Section first team, All-CIF Division I first team, Los Angeles Times All-Orange County and Orange County Register All-Orange County first team as a senior at Mater Dei High in Santa Ana (Calif.). He did not allow a sack in 1998 as a left offensive tackle. Mater Dei went 13-1, won the CIF Division I championship and was ranked No. 2 nationally by USA Today. As a 1997 junior, he made the Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass first team, All-CIF Southern Section second team, All-CIF Division I first team, Los Angeles Times All-Orange County first team, Orange County Register All-Orange County second team and All-League. He was a 3-year starter. Current Trojan David Gibson also prepped at Mater Dei.
1999 USC FOOTBALL SIGNEES
SPRING ENROLLMENT
HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS
NAME POS HGT WGT HOMETOWN (HIGH SCHOOL) Jacob Rogers TE 6-6 235 Oxnard, CA (Oxnard (CA) HS)
FALL ENROLLMENT
JUNIOR COLLEGE PLAYERS
NAME POS HGT WGT HOMETOWN (JUNIOR COLLEGE/HIGH SCHOOL) DeShaun Hill DB 6-0 190 Long Beach, CA (Long Beach (CA) CC/Long Beach (CA) Poly HS) Craig Mitchell ATH 5-9 170 Inglewood, CA (West Los Angeles (CA) CC/Hamilton HS) David Newbury PK 5-9 170 Corsicana, TX (Navarro JC, Corsicana,TX/Corsicana (TX) HS) Markus Steele LB 6-3 215 Long Beach, CA (Long Beach (CA) CC/Chanel HS, Bedford, OH)
HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS
NAME POS HGT WGT HOMETOWN (HIGH SCHOOL) Marcell Allmond WR 6-2 180 Anaheim, CA (St. Paul HS, Santa Fe Springs, CA) Sagan Atuatasi DL 6-3 295 Los Alamitos, CA (Los Alamitos (CA) HS) Chad Cook TE 6-4 225 Hillsboro, OR (Jesuit HS, Portland, OR) Aaron Graham LB 6-2 220 Bakersfield, CA (Bakersfield (CA) HS) Norm Katnik OL 6-5 245 Santa Ana, CA (Foothill HS, Santa Ana, CA) Kareem Kelly WR 6-1 185 Long Beach, CA (Long Beach (CA) Poly HS) Luke MacKay OL 6-5 250 Hughson, CA (Hughson (CA) HS) Omar Nazel LB 6-5 214 Oakland, CA (Skyline HS, Oakland, CA) Troy Polamalu DB 5-10 200 Roseburg, OR (Douglas HS, Winston, OR) Chris Prosser LB 6-4 220 Bonita, CA (Morse HS, San Diego, CA) Darrell Rideaux DB 5-9 175 Long Beach, CA (Long Beach (CA) Poly HS) Bernard Riley DL 6-3 298 Los Alamitos, CA (Los Alamitos (CA) HS) Nate Steinbacher OL 6-6 295 Anaheim, CA (Esperanza HS, Anaheim, CA) Steve Stevenson WR 6-2 205 Glendora, CA (Charter Oak HS, Covina, CA) Eric Torres OL 6-5 310 Gardena, CA (Bishop Montgomery HS, Torrance, CA) Lenny Vandermade OL 6-4 270 Santa Ana, CA (Mater Dei HS, Santa Ana, CA)
