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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 5, 2004)
pair of corners he ever had at De La Salle. Bates ran a 10.7 100 meters last spring. He may get a crack at running back for the Ducks too. Devlin Bayne Defensive End, 6-6, 220, Carlin High School, Carlin Nevada Honors: Bayne was the defensive player-of-the-year in his league as well as first team on both offensive and defense. Devlin is a 3-sport athlete whose true love is football. Currently he starts on the Carlin basketball team and in the spring he is a talented left- handed pitcher and first baseman. His coach, Mylan Branning said that Devlin has helped Carlin to a 19-1 record the past two years and two state titles in football. Coach Branning: “Devlin is a wrecking ball, a phenomenal player and team leader who you never have to worry about. He is a great kid who works hard for you, he’s wonderful to be around, and he’s a joy to coach.” Carlin High School has recently switched to 8-man football and has 130 students in grades 9-12 in the town with about 1800 residents. He has great speed having been clocked at 4.6 in the 40. Bayne liked the Oregon coaches, felt very compatible with them, and turned down offers by Boise State and Fresno State. Coach Branning said he is very excited to be going to Oregon, “that’s all he talks about!” Jerome Boyd Safety, 6-2, 180, Dorsey High School, Los Angeles, California Honors and Stats: PrepStar All-American (top 300 players in U.S.) Two-year starter, All-Conference and All-City for two years and All State his senior year. Boyd made 115 tackles, 3 sacks and caused 3 fumbles. Some scouts consider Jerome the best safety on the West Coast. Coach Paul Knox: “Jerome is an excellent player who is very coachable. He will give 100%, he wants to get better and he will put out the work needed in the offseason to improve. He did a great job on our 12-1 team. He led our defense with big hits and key plays. He’s a good student who is taking care of business.” Jerome stated that he “has grown up a lot this year” and believed “Oregon was the best fit for me.” Patrick Chung Cornerback, 6-0, 190, Rancho Cucamonga High School, Rancho Cucamonga, California Honors and Stats: Patrick averaged nearly 24 yards per catch as a receiver and also returned kickoffs and punts. Chung earned first team all-Baseline League honors. Coach Chris VanDuin: “Patrick is very explosive, he can move! He can play corner or free safety. He’s a good tackler with great range and most teams threw away from him this year. He is a legit 4.39 in the 40 and is good as any defensive back whose been here, including Terrell Thomas, who is at USC.” Chung and his family moved to the United States from Jamaica when he was 9 and Patrick is only 16 years old and won't turn 17 until August. He averaged nearly 24 yards per catch as a receiver and also returned kickoffs and punts. Coach VanDuin said that Oregon secondary coach John Neal did an “awesome job of recruiting him.” Patrick chose the Ducks over Utah, Colorado State, Oregon State, Wyoming, and San Diego State. Chung indicated that he really liked the beauty of the state of Oregon. Sharrod Davis Cornerback, 5-11, 175, Monte Vista High School, Spring Valley, California Honors: First team East County (San Diego). 40 tackles, 4 Interceptions (1 for TD), 19 receptions for 450 yards and 12 TDs. Coach Carroll: “Sharrod’s a complete player. We matched him up on the opponent’s best receiver and he did a great job in man coverage. He’s a good kid, does well in the classroom, and is very respectful to both students and adults.” Sharrod has kicked a 45 yard field goal and can kick the football into the end zone on kickoffs. His dad, Ricky Davis said that he has always been leaning towards Oregon because they have been recruiting him since he was a sophomore. David Faaeteete Defensive Tackle, 6-2, 275, North Medford High School, Medford, Oregon Honors: Selected to PrepStar Dream Team (one of top 100 U.S. players). Defensive Player-of the-Year in state of Oregon, First team All-State. Coach Jon Beck: “David’s got a great motor, plays hard from the start of the play until the end, and studies the game. He’s really excited about going to Oregon and he’s ready to go right now! He loves the campus the players and the coaches. He verballed in the summer and OSU pursued him for awhile but then everybody backed off.” Willie Glasper Cornerback, 5-11, 175, De La Salle High School, Concord, California Honors and Stats: PrepStar All-American, All Big Valley Athletic League, All-CIF. Willie scored 15 TDs rushing and had 2 interceptions. He made 66 tackles and 8 interceptions as a junior. Coach Eidson: “Willie was a three-year starter at corner and nobody threw at him. He breaks on routes and the ball very well and he is a student of the game. He could play safety — he’s very versatile. He’s one of the best corners we've ever had.” He chose Oregon over Cal. Willie said that he “felt the most comfortable with the coaching staff, the school, and the surroundings (at Oregon) and thought he fit in with the players pretty well.” His parents also said they are very excited about Willie going to Oregon. Ra’Shon Harris Defensive End-Tackle, 6-5, 285, Pittsburg High School, Pittsburg, California Honors and Stats: First Team All-Big Valley Athletic League (includes National Champs De La Salle), First Team Contra-Costa Times. Registered 14 sacks. Coach Victor Galli: “Ra’shon is a fantastic kid with a tremendous upside. The sky's the limit. Just wait until he gets the individualized coaching. He’s capable of playing on Sundays if he listens to the coaches and works his butt off. For a kid his size he can run! He does a good job as a student, he has no character issues, he has good family values and, he is not a partier. Oregon is fortunate to get him.” Harris strongly considered Oregon State, Arizona State, and Washington State. He said he thought and prayed about his decision and “felt like Oregon was the best place” for him. He believes the strength of his game is his athleticism for his size and he was recruited by coach Greatwood and coach Aliotti. Terrance Kelly Linebacker, 5-11, 210, De La Salle High School, Concord, California Honors and Stats: PrepStar All-American. First Team All Big Valley Athletic League. All-CIF. Kelly made 118 tackles had 3 interceptions and ran for 1023 yards and scored 20 TDs for the 13-0 De La Salle team. Coach Eidson: “Terrance really blossomed this year and was the most improved player on the team. He became a force at linebacker. He’s really quick side to side and covered well. He could be a great weakside linebacker or strong safety.” Kelly also chose the Ducks over Cal saying he felt more comfortable at Oregon and thought he had a good chance to play early. Cole Linehan Defensive Lineman, 6-4, 260, Banks, Oregon. Honors: PrepStar All-American (top 300 players in U.S.) Two-time 3A First Team All-State. 2003 Cowapa League Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All league offense and defense. Coach Ben Buchanan: “As a person, Cole is the most fantastic individual of the guys that I have coached during the past 10 years. He cares about people, is very personable, and everybody likes him. Cole has great intensity and knowledge of the game. He is better than his brother Josh (offensive lineman at Oregon State) although Josh is faster straight ahead. Cole is better side to side with great hands and feet and he takes on tacklers very well.” Cole visited Autzen four times and especially enjoyed the Michigan game. He chose Oregon over Oregon State because he thought very highly of the coaching staff and their stability, the outstanding facilities, and the overall experience at Oregon was more to his liking. When I mentioned to Cole’s mother that there will be a real Civil War in their household she said it is very conceivable that they could line up across from each other for two or three years as Josh will be a redshirt sophomore next year. Ryan Phipps Linebacker, 6-0, 210, Centennial High School, Corona, California Honors and Stats: PrepStar All-American, All-CIF Division 5, Defensive MVP of Mountain View League. Ryan broke school record for tackles with 463 during 3 years as starter. 203 tackles in senior year as well as 3 interceptions and 3 sacks. Coach Logan: “Ryan is a great person, has a great motor and plays hard. He has great speed (4.4 in 40), he can fly! He’s quick with good instincts — a smaller but faster Kevin Mitchell. He’s a leader in the weight room, he’s durable and plays on special teams too.” Phipps was recruited by Colorado, Colorado State, Arizona, and BYU. Ryan was recruited by John Neal and Ryan liked the way Oregon uses its linebackers. Coach Logan said Ryan is “real happy with his decision” and will be joined at Oregon by teammate Terrell Jackson. Thor Pili, Defensive End, 6-5, 240, Timpanogos High School, Orem, Utah Honors: #25 rated d-lineman in U.S. by Super Prep. 15 sacks his junior year and 13 in 2003. His position coach was his dad, “Junior” Pili who starred at Leone High School in American Samoa and was a standout offensive lineman at BYU. He was on the BYU team which came back and beat Oregon in 1989 and also was at Autzen in 1990 when Oregon clobbered the Cougars and Ty Detmer. “Junior” said the following about Thor: He is an awesome player, a role model at the school and a team leader. He is diverse, he doesn’t just stick to being with his own culture. I’ve mostly trained him to be explosive off the line. He will need to add a little weight to be a great run stopper too.” Thor intends to compete for playing time his freshman year and is working hard to add more weight without decreasing his speed. Thor picked the Ducks over Utah after giving it a lot of thought as well as two days of fasting and prayer. “Junior” wanted Thor to go to Oregon all along as he was impressed with the stability of the program as well as the “class” displayed by Mike Bellotti and Steve Greatwood. However, Junior didn't reveal his choice to Thor until after his son made the decision on his own. Thor said he “felt at home” with the Oregon players and coaches and that he fit in with their defensive scheme. Junior said “we are all green and yellow now” and that may bode well for the future as two of Thor's younger brothers are also outstanding football players and like the Ducks! 10 FEBRUARY 5, 2004 DucksIllustrated
