College Football

Former Notre Dame linebackers Erik Simien and Michael Smalls have spoken with USC Coach Larry Smith about transferring to USC, Smith said. Smalls, who is from Eisenhower High in Rialto, was declared academically ineligible at Notre Dame a year ago.

Simien, from Serra High in Gardena, made five tackles for the Irish last season but wasn’t with the team in the second half of the season while concentrating on improving his grades.