Eureka (Ca) LB Rey Maualuga (6-2, 235, 4.5) says he now has 23 offers, most recently received from Notre Dame, Nebraska, Oregon State, Washington State and Oregon.

"I'd say there is a 50-75% chance that I'll go to USC but everybody has a chance. It can change at any time. It depends on how hard schools recruit me," said Maualuga. "My parents would like me to go to USC since it's closer to home.

"And I love the USC coaching staff. They make me feel welcome and Pete Carroll was the only head coach who came up to see me personally and I liked that. Eureka is about five hours north of San Francisco and two hours from Oregon.

"My other favorites are Notre Dame, Oklahoma (childhood fave), Michigan and LSU. LSU (first to offer) and Notre Dame are recruiting me the hardest. All have offered me.

"I continuously receive handwritten letters from Notre Dame, almost every day, saying how much they need me bad. They have a great history in football and that show 'Rudy' is really inspiring. They've won the most national championships and I have some friends there like James Bonelli and Terrail Lambert just signed there. They would like me to go to Notre Dame.

"I was born in Oklahoma City at the Reynold Army Community Hospital. That's why my real first name is Reynold--but I just go by Rey. I lived in Oklahoma for 3-4 years, them moved to Honolulu for about eight years and then came to Calif, where I lived in Oxnard. I went to (Ventura) St Bonaventura HS and played with Lorenzo Booker. I got to tackle his butt. I moved up to Eureka two years ago.

"I'm best at middle LB. I can control both the inside and the outside. I'm focused and I can read good. I'm a sideline-to-sideline player. I could improve my agility and strength (BPs 385/SQs 620).

"Notre Dame, Nebraska and USC all say they have me as their number one LB. They say I can come in and start right away. I would also say Nebraska is recruiting me the hardest.

"I'll decide when the time is right, whenever. I'm just waiting for Signing Day. I don't have any timetable. I'll just decide when I decide."

3.1/800/retake unset