Mater Dei's Wittek commits to USC

The connection between top Mater Dei quarterbacks and USC grew stronger Sunday.

Junior Max Wittek (6-4, 210) committed to the Trojans, Mater Dei coach Bruce Rollinson announced.

USC already features Mater Dei graduate Matt Barkley, who started for the Trojans last season as a freshman.

Before Barkley, Mater Dei sent graduate Matt Leinart to USC.

“It’s a great decision,” Rollinson said in a text message of Wittek’s commitment. “The math is good on the quarterbacks they have.”

By math, Rollinson was referring to the number of USC quarterbacks and their grade level. Rollinson believes the “math” will help give Wittek a chance to compete for playing time.

Wittek picked USC over Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Cal and Notre Dame, Rollinson said. UCLA also offered Wittek.

“It was a tough decision,” Rollinson said.

Wittek has been Orange County’s top recruit during the offseason. As a junior, he passed for 2,107 yards and 14 touchdowns

Wittek’s private quarterback coach, Steve Clarkson, believes athleticism separates Wittek from Barkley and Leinart. Wittek has about 4.6 speed in the 40-yard dash, Rollinson said.

“(Wittek can) be a game-changer with his legs,” Clarkson said recently.