Does recruiting mail from college coaches still matter?

Sports Illustrated asks an intriguing question in a story this week: Does recruiting mail still matter?

It focuses on former Santa Barbara guard Roberto Nelson, who signed with Oregon State. He kept track of his recruiting mail from college coaches, receiving 2,161 pieces from 56 programs.

Guess how many he received from the school he signed with? Zero.

It's a story that looks at the past and at the future in an era of e-mail and social networking sites. It's very good read for parents and athletes.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Football: USC gets its QB with Scroggins commitment

USC is no longer in the market for a quarterback after Lakewood's Jesse Scroggins announced his decision to sign with the Trojans.

Scroggins has been impressive in spring and summer competitions, and he chose USC over Tennessee and Florida.

He has embraced the challenge of facing stiff competition at USC, where former Santa Ana Mater Dei standout Matt Barkley will be a freshman this fall.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Football: Lakewood receiver headed to Arizona State

While people wait to learn where Lakewood quarterback Jesse Scroggins is headed, his teammate, receiver Kevin Anderson, has committed to Arizona State, according to ASUDevils.com

Anderson caught 11 touchdown passes last season. Another Lakewood player, defensive back Dion Bailey, has committed to USC.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Football: Commits are coming for offensive linemen

There could be a run on offensive line commitments coming. Encino Crespi's Hroniss Grasu committed to Oregon. Before the season starts in September, others are expected to announce, and when one big prospect commits, it opens up the way for others.

Erik Kohler from Westlake Village Oaks Christian could be nearing a decision. Chris Ward from Santa Ana Mater Dei is another heavily recruited offensive lineman.

It makes sense for linemen to commit before their senior season as protection against injury.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Baseball: Top junior infielder commits to UCLA

Austin Hedges, the top player for Trinity League champion JSerra last season as a sophomore, has committed to UCLA. He played second base for JSerra, which won its first league title in baseball.

Another top infielder, senior shortstop Matt Duffy from Lakewood, has committed to Long Beach State.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Football: Edison proves it's no summer fluke

Huntington Beach Edison knocked off Westlake Village Oaks Christian for the third time this summer, defeating the Lions, 20-6, Saturday in the championship game of the Edison seven-on-seven tournament.

Say what you want about the Chargers, but their seven skill-position players have shown they are the best without pads on as a group. They didn't lose in the Dana Hills tournament and they went 6-0 on Saturday.

Quarterback Matt Viles, receiver Jeff Trojan and linebacker Jordan Zumwalt were among Edison's standouts. Oaks Christian has had trouble scoring against Edison all summer. Santa Ana Mater Dei defeated Sherman Oaks Notre Dame in the consolation final.

West Covina South Hills made it to the semifinals before losing to Oaks Christian. Receiver Ify Umodu, whose brothers Tobi and Kebin attend UCLA and Air Force, respectiively, played well for South Hills. See the video below for a look at Umodu.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Football: Super Seven retreat to have Hawaiian flavor

Steve Clarkson is saying "aloha" to Santa Barbara.

The famed quarterbacks guru has moved his Super Seven retreat from Southern California to Maui, where Oaks Christian's Nick Montana and San Clemente's Chase Rettig will have the opportunity to impress Thursday through Saturday.

"We wanted to do something special, and obviously Maui's a very special place," Clarkson said. "We wanted the kids to have an experience they might never have on their own."

The quarterbacks will also get the chance to receive some tutoring they might otherwise never have afforded from an impressive lineup of mentors that includes Clarkson, NHL Hall of Famer Joe Montana and Arizona Cardinals quarterback and former USC Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart.

Other high school quarterbacks scheduled to attend are Andrew Manley of Wahiawa (Hawaii) Leileua, Blake Bell of Wichita (Kan.) Bishop Carroll Catholic, Phillip Sims of Chesapeake (Va.) Oscar F. Smight, Barry Brunetti of Memphis (Tenn.) University and Austin Hinder of Steamboat Springs (Colo.) High.

The campers will also find "The Great One" in their midst.

Baseball: UCLA gets commitment from top pitcher

Zack Weiss, a senior right-hander from Irvine Northwood who has a 91 mph fastball, has committed to UCLA. He also has a 4.0 grade-point average.

I saw him pitch at an all-star game for juniors at the Urban Youth Academy a couple weeks ago, and he was outstanding.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Football: Lakewood QB gets USC offer

USC has apparently made the decision that it wants Lakewood quarterback Jesse Scroggins. WeAreSC.com is reporting that the Trojans made him a scholarship offer after his participation in the Rising Stars camp.

Of course, Scoggins has to make a decision if he'll fit in at USC. He also has offers from Florida and Tennessee.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Football: Don Lugo lineman gets USC scholarship offer

Chino Don Lugo defensive lineman George Uko, 6 feet 3 and 297 pounds, picked up a scholarship offer from USC after participating in the Rising Stars camp Wednesday, Scout.com reported.

He also earned an offer earlier from UCLA after participating in a Bruins camp.

-- Eric Sondheimer