HS FOOT: Palmdale's Shaw commits to Florida

It was quite a spectacle at Palmdale High this morning for a press conference for defensive back Joshua Shaw, who announced his pending signing with Florida -- as cameras flashed, cheerleaders cheered, the band played, and more than a dozen family members stood behind Shaw at a podium.

Shaw picked Florida among other finalists Ohio State, USC and LSU. At first, he motioned like he was going to pick Ohio State but was smiling and kidding.

"I always wanted to leave California to go to college, and I was really impressed with Florida coach Urban Meyer because he called me personally almost every day -- none of the other coaches did that," Shaw said.

-- Gerry Gittelson