Boyer takes preferred walk-on status at USC

Newport Beach resident Robbie Boyer, a Mater Dei High senior wide receiver, said he has chosen to be a preferred walk-on at USC in the fall.

He said he was offered the same status at UCLA, Oregon and Cal, but felt comfortable with the Trojans’ coaches. It also didn’t hurt to know that his younger cousin, quarterback Matt Barkley, a junior at Mater Dei, had already committed to USC.

The two played on an undefeated team, the Newport-Mesa Jr. Midget Seahawks (12-13-year-olds), when they were younger.

Boyer said he is going to USC with the intent to earn a scholarship. He passed up scholarship offers from Harvard and University of San Diego to work his way up with the Trojans.

I’m not going there to just be a part of the team and wear a jersey,” Boyer said. “I’m not going there to sit on the sideline. I’m going there to start. That’s my goal.”

— Steve Virgen