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Bulls add an All-State LB to haul

TAMPA -- On signing day Wednesday, South Florida coach Jim Leavitt said he wanted one more linebacker for his recruiting class, and he implied he knew whom he wanted it to be.

Thursday, Jacksonville Lee linebacker Steve Nicholas upped USF's Class of 2002 to 18 (including five players who already enrolled) by signing with the Bulls over Syracuse.

Nicholas joins Miramar's Devon Davis and Wharton's Terrence Royal, who signed in 2001, as newcomers to the USF linebacking corps. Leavitt raved about Davis and Royal and was equally laudatory of Nicholas.

"We're ecstatic to add Stephen Nicholas to our class," Leavitt said. "He was the (top-) rated linebacker on our board from the very beginning."

Nicholas, who reportedly committed to USF in January, had scholarship offers from Syracuse, Central Florida and Connecticut and was recruited by Georgia, Louisville and North Carolina. He was a Class 3A all-state selection his senior year, when he had 151 tackles and three sacks.

BOOKER SIGNS: As expected, tailback Lorenzo Booker from Ventura (Calif.) St. Bonaventure signed his letter of intent with FSU. He announced his intentions Wednesday night on ESPN.

Not only does Booker give the Seminoles three prized running backs, with Leon Washington and Thomas Clayton, he'll join a crowded, talented backfield headed by sophomore Greg Jones and junior Nick Maddox. FSU recruiting coordinator John Lilly said the depth chart wasn't a factor in Booker choosing FSU over Notre Dame, Washington and Southern Cal.

"Great players don't question their abilities. With Lorenzo, people look at his school and who've they've played and kind of question it. But he's never had a challenge put to him that he hasn't whipped."

Daytona Beach Mainland linebacker Buster Davis could be recruit No. 22 if he picks FSU over Nebraska.

AUBURN: Coach Tommy Tuberville hired Gene Chizik as defensive coordinator. Chizik held the same position the past four seasons at UCF, improving the defense from 81st nationally the season before his arrival to 16th.

MICHIGAN: Former cornerback Todd Howard was sentenced in Ann Arbor to 24 months' probation for reckless driving. ... Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Stan Parrish resigned for personal reasons.

NORTHERN MICHIGAN: Doug Sams, coach for the past 10 years at Fairmont (W.Va.) State College, was hired to coach the Division II school.

OHIO STATE: The athletic department is investigating allegations that Antoine Winfield accepted gifts from an agent and resold tickets for a profit while he played for the Buckeyes.

USC: Recruit Darnell Bing will wear No. 20, which last was worn by Heisman Trophy winner Mike Garrett and is one of four numbers retired by the Trojans.

-- Times staff writer Brian Landman contributed to this report, which used information from Times wires.

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