Many Prep Players Make Early Choices : Football: Signing day is Wednesday, but several high school players have avoided the rush by declaring their intentions.

Wednesday is college football’s national signing day, but few surprise announcements from Southland recruits are expected.

The majority of Southern California’s top prospects have made unwritten commitments, including highly-regarded Lompoc High running back Napolean Kaufman, who announced 10 days ago that he would attend Washington after considering USC and Arizona.

Players have been committing early to avoid being locked out of a scholarship if a school fills its quota before signing day.

Kaufman, who at 5 feet 8 and 170 pounds may be considered small for a running back, was the most recruited player in the Southland this year. He rushed for 1,960 yards and 34 touchdowns last season in leading Lompoc to the Southern Section Division VII title.

Dorsey running back Lamont Warren and Fontana offensive linemen Robert Loya and Clay Hattabaugh are others who have committed. Warren selected Colorado two weeks ago, turning down USC, Notre Dame and Washington. Loya and Hattabaugh, both preseason All-Americans, chose USC over Arizona.

“Robert and I grew up in Southern California and have always loved USC,” Hattabaugh said. “We felt at home there, so there was no point in delaying our decisions.”

El Toro quarterback Rob Johnson chose USC in late December. Johnson, the younger brother of former UCLA quarterback Bret Johnson, will play football and baseball for the Trojans.

Carson High quarterback John Walsh, who set the state single-season passing record this past fall with 4,226 yards and 48 touchdowns, said he would attend Brigham Young after considering Miami, Florida State, Washington and USC.

Running back Travis Davis of Wilmington Banning chose Notre Dame over Stanford, making the announcement a day after Stanford Coach Dennis Green spoke at Banning’s football banquet.

USC has done well at home. In addition to Loya, Hattabaugh and Johnson, the Trojans have received unwritten commitments from Los Alamitos tight end Tyler Cashman, Gardena Serra wide receiver Jerald Henry, Montclair Prep tackle Donovan Roy and Loyola quarterback Corby Smith, among others. Corby is the son of USC Coach Larry Smith.

UCLA has commitments from Newhall Hart defensive lineman George Kase and Riverside North wide receiver Avery Anderson.

A few top players are waiting until Wednesday to declare their intentions. Rialto Eisenhower wide receiver Demond Thompkins is considering Colorado, Kansas and UNLV. Carson wide receiver-defensive back Abdul Muhammad visited Nebraska this weekend and also is considering USC, Miami and Texas El Paso. Carson defensive back Tarriel Hopper has narrowed his choices to USC and Illinois, but he is expect to select USC because his older brother Darrel was a defensive back for the Trojans.

Pasadena Muir standouts Reggie Reser and Demetrice Martin also are waiting. Reser, a defensive back, has narrowed his choices to Michigan State, Colorado, Washington, South Carolina and Oklahoma. Martin, a wide receiver, is considering Michigan State, Colorado, Washington, South Carolina and Oklahoma.