NEW OREGON DUCKS

The following is the press release issued by the University of Oregon on the new 2009 football recruits who signed letters of intent yesterday to play football for the University of Oregon Ducks:


EUGENE, Ore. -- Mike Bellotti admitted it will likely be at least two years before he can truly evaluate Wednesday's Signing Day class, but on the surface it appears very strong. The 14-year head coach announced that 20 high school players and four junior college student-athletes have submitted National Letters of Intent (NLIs) to attend the University of Oregon in 2009-10.
The Ducks tapped the State of California for 15 recruits and one each from nine other states, ranging geographically from Pennsylvania to Hawaii. UO projects 14 of the 24 players will play on defense, with the defensive line (8) seeing the biggest boost from a depth standpoint.


High School Recruits (Alphabetical)

• Anderson, Anthony DL
6-4, 222 - La Mesa, Calif. (Helix HS)
Played outside linebacker and defensive end under head coach Troy Starr, who was on Urban Meyer’s Florida staff in 2007, at Helix High School of the Grossmont-South League ... Was a Union-Tribune All-San Diego Second-Team Defense selection ... A three-star recruit according to both Rivals.com and Scout.com ... Ranked the No. 38 defensive end in the nation by Scout.com and the No. 60 defensive end by Rivals.com ... Team posted a 10-2-1 record in his senior season and won eight straight games before falling to Oceanside HS in the San Diego Section championship game played at Qualcomm Stadium, 18 days before Oregon defeated Oklahoma State on same field in the Holiday Bowl ... Was hosted by Kenjon Barner on his official visit to Eugene ... Also plays basketball for the Highlanders.

• Arden, Keaton DL
6-5, 225 - Piedmont, Calif. (Piedmont HS)
Named one of the top-20 players in the Bay Area (No. 9) in The Contra Costa Times ‘Cream of the Crop’ ... Played wide receiver and linebacker under head coach Kurt Bryan at Piedmont High School of the Bay Shore League ... Had 31 tackles in his junior season ... A two-star recruit according to Scout.com ... The Highlanders posted an 8-3 record his senior season, winning five straight games to finish the regular season before losing to Fortuna in the first round of the state playoffs ... Piedmont coaches Bryan and Steve Humphries invented the A-11 offense, an exotic offense at the high school level that features two quarterbacks and all 11 players on the field are eligible to catch a pass (only three linemen).

• Armstrong, Karrington OL
6-2, 296 - Reno, Nev. (McQueen HS)
A 2007 all-state selection at offensive guard ... Played offensive and defensive line for head coach Ken Dalton at McQueen High School of the Northern - High Desert League ... A three-star recruit according to both Rivals.com and Scout.com ... Ranked as the No. 48 offensive guard in the nation by Rivals.com and the No. 66 defensive tackle by Scout.com ... Team posted a flawless 14-0 record and won the state championship by defeating Palo Verde (Las Vegas) 13-12 at the University of Nevada’s Mackay Stadium ... Armstrong had four tackles in the contest ... The Lancers outscored their opponents 579-100 on the season, including five shutouts (one in the playoffs) ... Also a state champion heavyweight wrestler in his junior season.

• Benyard III, Everett OL
6-7, 315 - San Diego, Calif. (Cathedral Catholic HS)
A 2008 Union-Tribune All-San Diego First-Team Offense selection .... Played on the offensive line for head coach Sean Doyle at Cathedral High School of the Eastern League ... Two-time Eastern League First-Team ... Named a three-star recruit by both Scout.com and Rivals.com ... Ranked the No. 32 and No. 69 offensive tackle by Scout.com and Rivals.com, respectively ... Team went 14-0 his senior season and defeated St. Mary’s (Stockton, Calif.) 37-34 in the Division II state football championship game held at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. ... Benyard opened holes for teammate and four-star RB/FB prospect, Tyler Gaffney, who scampered for 329 yards and five touchdowns in the state title game ... Cathedral ran for 4,278 yards and passed for 2,616 yards on the season (second in state in total offense (492.4 yds/g), fourth in scoring (47.2 pts/g) and ninth in rushing).

• Bowlin, Mike PK
6-3, 192 - Aliso Viejo, Calif. (Aliso Niguel HS)
A Tacoma News Tribune Northwest 100 selection ... South Coast League Special Teams Player of the Year ... Also named Second-Team All South Coast League Defense (Defensive Line) ... Played football, baseball and competed in wrestling and track and field at Aliso Niguel HS ... A four-year student of the West Coast Kicking Academy ... Three-time (2006-08) participant of Chris Sailer National Kicking and Snapping Event ... Winner of ‘Coffin Corner’ Punt competition and finalist in ‘Last Man Standing Kick-Off’ competition at Chris Sailer Camp ...

• Brown, Justin DL
6-2, 268 - Compton, Calif. (Compton HS)
Played on the interior of the defensive line for head coach Calvin Bryant at Compton High School of the Moore League ... Ranked the No. 73 defensive tackle prospect in the nation by Scout.com and the No. 65 DT by Rivals.com ... A two-star recruit by Scout and three-star by Rivals ... A first-team all-Moore League selection on both the defensive and offensive lines ... Finished senior season with 69 tackles, four sacks and one interception ... Had 81 tackles and five sacks as a junior from the defensive tackle position ... Named to the Rivals.com California Preseason Top 100 for the class of 2009 as the Golden State’s No. 45 overall prospect.


• Burrell, Jamaal OL
6-4, 276 - Compton, Calif. (Dominguez HS)
A 2008 All-L.A. Wave Newspapers First-Team Offense selection ... Played offensive and defensive tackle for head coach Willie Donerson at Dominquez HS of the San Gabriel Valley League ... Named a two star recruit by Scout.com and a three star player by Rivals.com ... Played in a running offense as the Dons posted 2,039 yards on the ground in 2008 as opposed to just 393 yards passing ... Started high school career at Summit HS (Fontana, Calif.) ... Played HS football for two years.

• Clay, Michael LB
5-11, 220 - San Jose, Calif. (Bellarmine College Prep)
A two-time All-Mercury News first-team selection ... A Tacoma News Tribune Northwest 100 selection ... Played fullback and linebacker for head coach Mike Janda at Bellarmine Prep of the West Catholic League ... Named the No. 4 linebacker in California by Superprep Magazine ... Was named the West Catholic League Linebacker of the Year in 2008 with 81 tackles, seven sacks and four picks and again in 2007 after tallying 110 tackles in his junior season ... 2008 GoldenStatePreps All-Northern California First-Team Defense ... Named a four-star recruit and the nation’s No. 14 weakside linebacker by Scout.com and a three-star recruit and the country’s No. 3 outside linebacker by Rivals.com ... High School team went 12-1 in his senior season, with a 21-0 shutout victory against Valley Christian in the Central Coast Section Championship game ... Bellarmine limited opponents to just 111 points on the season.

• Cole, Nick WR/S
6-3, 185 - Concord, Calif. (Clayton Valley HS)
ESPN Rise California All-State Selection (Defense - DB) ... Played wide receiver and safety for head coach Herc Pardi at Clayton Valley High School of the Diablo Valley League ... Caught 46 passes for 990 yards (21.5 avg) and 12 touchdowns as a senior ... Two best games came in playoffs as he tallied 170 yards (season-high) and one touchdown on six catches in the first round against Casa Grande and seven catches for 128 yards and three touchdowns (season-high) in the second round against Las Lomas HS ... Had one interception and one fumble recovery on defense in CVHS’ 17-7 loss to Cardinal Newman in the NCS Division II Championship on Dec. 13 ... 2008 GoldenStatePreps All-Northern California Second-Team Defense (DB).

• Fox, Trevor OL
6-5, 287 - Temecula, Calif. (Chaparral HS)
Played offensive guard and tackle for head coach Tom Leach at Chaparral of the Southwestern League ... All-SWL First-Team Offense ... All-CIF ... All-Riverside County ... Second-Team All-California ... Named the No. 79 player in the Far West Region (Calif., Nev., Hawaii) by Superprep Magazine ... Ranked as the No. 73 guard in the nation by Rivals.com and the No. 35 OG by Scout.com ... Named a three star recruit by both major recruiting services ... Team advanced to the Inland title game in his senior season but fell to Centennial (Corona, Calif.) ... Will join former teammate, Talmadge Jackson III on the Ducks’ roster ... Chaparral rushed for 3,081 yards (220.1 yds/g) and passed for 1,917 yards in 2008, averaging 34.9 points per game.

• Harris, Cliff CB/S
5-11, 168 - Fresno, Calif. (Edison HS) *U.S. Army All-American
2009 U.S. Army All-American ... Named the No. 7 recruit in the state of California by The Contra Costa Times ... A 2009 ‘Best in the West’ selection (No. 10 overall, No. 2 DB) by the Long Beach Press-Telegram ... A Tacoma News Tribune Northwest 100 selection ... An all-state third-team selection ... ESPN Rise California All-State Selection (Defense - DB) ... Played cornerback and wide receiver for head coach and former 49er, Tim McDonald at Edison HS of the County/Metro League ... Ranked the No. 7 and No. 6 cornerback in the nation by Rivals.com and Scout.com, respectively ... Both services rated Harris a four-star recruit ... Named the No. 10 defensive back prospect in the nation by Superprep Magazine ... Had six interceptions his senior season to go with one kickoff and one punt return for touchdown ... Had nine interceptions to go with a kick and a punt return for touchdown as a junior ... Scout.com analyst Brandon Huffman said Harris is “the best cover corner in the country” ... Edison HS finished second in the County/Metro League and advanced to the second round of the state playoffs.

• Hart, Taylor DL
6-6, 256 - Tualatin, Ore. (Tualatin HS)
A first-team all-state selection on both offense (tackle) and defense (end) ... Hart played for head coach Craig Hastin at Tualatin, of the 6A Pacific League ... A Tacoma News Tribune Northwest 100 selection ... A Tacoma News Tribune ‘Northwest Nuggets’ Honorable Mention ... Ranked as the No. 26 defensive end in that nation according Rivals.com and ranked the No. 45 DE and No. 27 overall player in the Northwest Hot 100 by Scout.com ... Named a three star recruit by both recruiting services ... The No. 1 player in the state of Oregon according to Superprep Magazine ... Lost to Beaverton in the second round of the state playoffs this season after defeating Beaverton in the regular season ... Father is a UO graduate ... Attended first Oregon game (against USC) when he was eight years old.


• Hawkins, Daryle ATH
6-4, 190 - Omaha, Neb. (Omaha Central HS)
Played for head coach Jay Ball at Omaha Central High School of the A District 3 League ... Lined up at wide receiver for the Eagles in his junior season as the team took home the Nebraska Class A state championship ... Named the starting quarterback to begin his senior season but injured his collarbone in the second game ... Returned to the line-up for final two games ... Had 540 yards of total offense in the 3+ games he played in 2008 ... Team went 2-1 with him in the line-up, 0-6 without ... A prolific track competitor in high school ... Took home a state title in the triple jump, second in the state in long jump ... Had the fastest prelim time in the 110m hurdles but rolled ankle before the finals and still took third ... Metro-Conference 110m and 110m hurdles champion ... One star recruit by Scout.com, two stars from Rivals.com ... Played football, track and basketball in each of his four years in high school ... Basketball team has won the Nebraska state title in three of his four years ... Went to same HS as Ahman Green and Gayle Sayers.

• Jackson, Brian CB/S
5-10, 193 - Hoover, Ala. (Hoover HS)
Played for head coach Josh Niblett at Hoover High School of the 6A Region Six League ... Jackson had 161 tackles and three interceptions in his senior season and was named Alabama Sports Writers Association First-Team All-State as a defensive back and All-Metro First-Team as a safety ... Ranked the No. 85 safety in nation by Rivals.com and the No. 71 cornerback by Scout.com ... Named a three-star recruit by both services ... Team advanced to the state championship game but lost to Prattville 16-13 to finish with a 13-2 record on the season.

• Jackson, Diante WR
6-2, 200 - Walnut Creek, Calif. (Las Lomas HS)
Named one of the top-20 players in the Bay Area (No. 1) in The Contra Costa Times ‘Cream of the Crop’ ... A Tacoma News Tribune Northwest 100 selection ... Played both wide receiver and safety for head coach Doug Longero at Las Lomas High School of the Diablo Foothill League ... Grabbed 61 passes for 1,021 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior ... Had 65 catches for 1,283 yards and 19 TDs as a junior ... The No. 32 player in the Far West Region (Calif., Nev., Hawaii) according to Superprep Magazine ... 2008 GoldenStatePreps All-Northern California First-Team Offense ... Ranked the No. 47 wide receiver in the nation according to Rivals.com, the No. 37 wideout by Scout.com ... A four-star recruit by both recruiting services ... Team advanced to the third round of the North Coast Section state playoffs.

• Keliikipi, Wade DL
6-3, 285 - Wai’anae, Hawaii (Wai’anae HS)
Named Hawaii’s top DT prospect in 2009 by Superprep Magazine and the No. 59 recruit overall in the West Region ... Played for head coach Danny Matsumoto at Wai’anae High School of the Oahu Red-West League ... Two star recruit by scout.com ... Ranked the No. 70 defensive tackle and the No. 20 player overall in the Northwest Hot 100 by Scout.com ... Two star recruit by Rivals.com ... Team posted a 5-6 overall record in 2008 and 9-4 in 2007 ... Team nicknamed the Seariders.

• Lane, Braxton WR
5-11, 192 - Tyrone, Ga. (Sandy Creek HS)
Member of both the Atlanta-Journal Constitution’s Super Southern 100 and The Georgia 150 ... Grabbed 55 receptions for 1,072 yards and 11 touchdowns in junior season ... Did not play football as a senior ... Named the Fayette County Offensive Player of the Year and was an All-State honorable mention ... Father, Carl Lane, played football at Oregon State while uncle, MacArthur Lane, played running back for the Green Bay Packers ... A highly-rated baseball prospect, hit .416 batting average with one home run and 29 stolen bases in 2007 ... A switch-hitting outfielder, named to the 2008 Aflac All-American High School Baseball roster ... A 2009 Under Armour Baseball All-American ... Would like to play both football and baseball in college.

• Lokombo, Boseko LB
6-3, 226 - Abbotsford, British Columbia (W.J. Mouat Secondary)
Received votes in the 2009 ‘Best in the West’ by the Long Beach Press-Telegram ... A Tacoma News Tribune ‘Northwest Nuggets’ Honorable Mention ... A Tacoma News Tribune Northwest 100 selection ... Made 47 tackles with four interceptions as a senior at W.J. Mouat Secondary ... Named a four-star recruit and the No. 10 middle linebacker prospect in the nation and the No. 5 player overall in the Northwest Hot 100 by Scout.com and a three-star recruit and No. 27 outside linebacker by Rivals.com ... The top Canadian recruit according to Superprep Magazine ... Also played wide receiver and running back in high school ... Ran for 1556 yards on 107 carries (14.54 avg/c) and 22 touchdowns and caught 37 passes for 728 yards in senior season ... Named Provincial AAA Eastern Conference All-Star Offensive MVP ... Also returned punts and kickoffs ... Has some local connections, as he played his junior season at South Eugene HS, where he tallied more than 50 tackles ... Born in the Congo but moved to Montreal in 1996.


• Patterson, Avery CB/S
5-10, 171 - Pittsburg, Calif. (Pittsburg Senior HS)
Named one of the top-20 players in the Bay Area (No. 2) in The Contra Costa Times ‘Cream of the Crop’ ... ESPN Rise California All-State Selection (Defense - DB) ... Played running back and cornerback for head coach Victor Galli at Pittsburg High School of the Bay Valley League ... Had 50 tackles, three interceptions, 10 PBU, 20 passes defensed and recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown on defense and rushed for two touchdowns on 20 carries with 205 yards and had three receptions for 30 yards on offense ... Named First Team All-BVAL, First Team All-East Bay and First Team All-NorCal following his senior season ... 2008 GoldenStatePreps All-Northern California First-Team Defense ... The No. 80 recruit in the Far West Region (Calif., Nev., Hawaii) by Superprep Magazine ... Graduate of same high school as former Duck Ra'Shon Harris.

• Rice, Jackson P
6-3, 225 - Moraga, Calif. (Campolindo HS) *U.S. Army All-American
2009 U.S. Army All-American ... A Tacoma News Tribune Northwest 100 selection (both as an athlete and punter) ... 2008-09 HS Maxwell Award Winner for best punter in 2009 class ... Rated the No. 1 punter in the nation by Scout.com, No. 2 punter by Rivals.com and ESPN.com ... Played for head coach Kevin Macy at Campolindo HS of the Diablo Foothill League ... Averaged 47.6 yards per punt in his senior season ... A first-team All-Contra Costa County selection ... Named one of the top-20 players in the Bay Area (No. 7) in The Contra Costa Times ‘Cream of the Crop’, first selection from Campolindo since 1999 ... Rated as the No. 17 kicker overall by Rivals.com ... A three-star recruit by Scout.com and a two-star according to Rivals.com ... A Chris Sailer Top-12 Selection ... Team lost in the second round of the California North Coast Section playoffs ... Father, Mike Rice, was an NFL punter with the New York Jets.

Junior College Recruits (Alphabetical)

• Clark, Zac DL
6-2, 256 - Wichita, Kan. (Wichita North HS/Butler County C.C. (Kan.))
Ranked the No. 72 JC player in the nation by Rivals.com ... The No. 82 overall JC player nationally by Scout.com ... A three-star recruit by both Rivals and Scout ... Played in 11 games in 2008, with 78 tackles, 19 TFL, 11 sacks, 14 QB hits, one interception and a pair of forced fumbles ... Team won the NJCAA National Championship in 2008 ... 90 tackles and 15 sacks as a high school senior ... Also played tight end as a prep and was an all-state basketball player ... Enrolled at Oregon in January.

• Iupati, Andrew DL
6-1, 299 - Anaheim, Calif. (Western HS/Golden West C.C. (Calif.))
Scout.com gave him three-star standing ... Played in six games his sophomore season, tallying 19 tackles, 3 for loss, with 2.5 sacks, 1 qb hurry, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery ... Coming out of high school he was ranked No. 6 in California in the 285-lbs. wrestling weight class according to Tech-Fall.com.

• Littlejohn, Bryson LB
6-1, 227 - Elk Grove, Calif. (Laguna Creek HS/Sierra C.C. (Calif.))
California Community Colleges Coaches Association 2008 All-America First Team Defense ... California Community Colleges Coaches Association 2008 All-California Region II First Team Defense ... Named a four-star recruit and the No. 12 overall JC player in the nation by Scout.com ... Had an outstanding season for Sierra in 2008, posting 72 tackles, nine sacks, three forced fumbles, three interceptions and 14.5 tackles for loss while earning First-Team JC Grid-wire All-American honors ... Played running back and linebacker while at Laguna Creek HS ... In high school, had 149 tackles his senior season with 2 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries, and a blocked field goal.

• Montgomery, Terrance DL
6-2, 291 - Pittsburgh, Pa. (East Allegheny HS/Reedley C.C. (Calif.))
Served in the Army after high school, will be 24 before the start of the 2009 season ... Two-year starter at Reedley ... Named a three-star recruit by both Scout.com and Rivals.com ... Had 20 tackles and two sacks while seeing limited playing time as a freshman ... Lettered two years in football and three years in track at East Allegheny High ... Married with a young daughter and family is with him in Eugene ... Enrolled at Oregon in January.