Warren takes in rivalry game

Long Beach Poly (Calif.) defensive back Donovan Warren was one of several local prospects who took in the UCLA-USC game over the weekend. The talented corner gave his thought on the game as well as who will get his last two visits.

Warren, 5-11, 160 pounds was at the Rose Bowl this past weekend for the Bruins big upset win over cross town rival USC.

"It was a pretty incredible game," Warren said. "There was a ton of energy and excitement there. Going in to the game, I thought UCLA had a chance but I was still surprised they pulled out the win.

"I knew they would play well on defense because Dwayne Walker is such a good coach but I didn't think they would be able to totally shut down USC's offense like that. SC looked kind of predictable and they really didn't do much to stretch the field.

"It's funny, I was talking with my dad after the game and it was just like how we lost our playoff game Friday night to Orange Lutheran. Offensively, we didn't throw deep enough and were a little predictable and that's kind of how SC looked too.

"I was in the locker room after the game and it was pretty wild in there. All the players were jumping up and down and Coach Walker and Coach Dorrell at different times both pulled me aside and talked to me about wanting me to be a Bruin.

"I'm definitely looking at UCLA but I don't know if this win makes them any more attractive because I already liked them a lot. Whether they won or lost, I was still looking at UCLA and I have a lot of respect for Coach Walker and the defense he's building over there."

Warren has already taken official visits to Cal, Arizona and Michigan and said his last two visits will go to USC and Ohio State.

"USC will be (Dec. 15) and Ohio State will be in January, probably (Jan. 12)," Warren said. "I'm also going to take an unofficial visit in January to UCLA. I'm not considering Oregon any more so that's why I decided to take an official visit to USC.

"I was always planning to make that visit an unofficial but when I dropped Oregon, I had room and USC has been recruiting me harder than anyone the last three years so I decided to use an official there. I've already had home visits with Coach Norton (USC) and Coach English (Michigan) last week and Coach Walker (UCLA) and Coach (Beckman) are coming over this week.

"Of all the schools outside of Los Angeles, I would say I like Michigan the best. As for deciding between USC and UCLA, it's tough to say because I like things about both of them. I think USC gives me the best chance to win but Coach Walker probably gives me the best chance to learn and improve so it's tough.

"My plan is to take all my trips and then make my decision on Signing Day. I really don't have a leader right now, that's' what the visits will be for. I'm going to take it down to the wire and then announce in February."