24 Comments
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Steven S's avatar

I really like the idea of recruiting HS players and keeping them around for a few years. I understand that the transfer portal is here to stay. But it's a shame that we're not going to get to know guys like Dilion Gabriel because he's here for just one season. We don't learn the back stories of these athletes. I think it's killed interest in college basketball and the same could be happening with football. I don't just cheer for the uniform - I root for the athletes that I get to know.

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Andrew Manchester's avatar

I think college athletics is on the precipice right now; one of the major attractions was the diff. between the pro level and college level. Since there is no diff. now, decline is mandatory. At work there is a noticeable decline in talk around college sports the last 2 years .....

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David Gulickson's avatar

Deagan Rose appears to be a brilliant combination of exceptional athletic skills and a levelheaded ability to see what really matters at his young age. It’ll be fun to see how things go for him

Regarding Coach Wilkins - “He arrived three years ago and preaches character, academics, and accountability.” Coaches in all sports should take that mantra to heart

Gotta give a shout out to our Henley Lady Hornets - off to Eugene to take on Pendleton tomorrow for the state 4A softball championship

GO HORNETS 🐝

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Kent Crawford's avatar

Go Lady Hornets!

Bring home the hardware!!!

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Joe Majors's avatar

Very tough competition, too say the least!!

But, there is still two years of H S football left before he is in College. You never know what might happen at that time and who the lucky school might be, could OSU by then be a noticeable factor at that time?

Would be nice !!!

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Hoxie's avatar

Got him, GO BEAVS!

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Hank Friedman's avatar

I have a more general question about these ranking. How predictive are they? Does anyone track how successful these high school athletes end up being in college? Thanks.

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jon joseph's avatar

Thanks, JC.

Daryle 'The Mad Bomber' Lamonica - RIP. - 5 Pro Bowls, 1 with the Bills and 4 with the Oakland Raiders. His favorite target was Fred Biletnikoff. Yes, younger readers, the guy the award is named after. DL also had great success throwing to WR Warren Wells and TE Billy Cannon.

From Clovis High School (CA.) to Notre Dame and on to a distinguished pro career.

Muhammad Ali's 'buddy' Howard Cossell hung the 'Mad Bomber' label on Daryle; it annoyed DL at first but he came to accept the moniker and embrace it.

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John Benson's avatar

Hey Jon, I’ll put the Raider’s 1970 passing/receiving corps up against the best ever… Lamonica, Snake & Blanda throwing to Wells (arguably best deep threat ever), Biletnikoff (arguably best possession WR ever) and rookie TE Ray Chester - it doesn’t get much better than that!

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jon joseph's avatar

AMEN!

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EA Flash's avatar

Don Maynard, George Sauer Jr. and Pete Lammons were better.

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Andrew Manchester's avatar

My first thought when I saw the stadium was "I wonder if ....?"

Now I don't need to go Google.

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Mark Waldroop's avatar

Thank you, John, for sharing some insight on this young man. While reading, I remembered one of the questions Coach Lanning has about a recruit.

How does he treat his mom?

Since the Ducks have already offered him a scholarship, it's clear that Dan checked that one off already. It will be very interesting to watch Deagen paring down his college options to a choice few over the next two years.

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Hoxie's avatar

Major win for Oregon State, GO BEAVS!!

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Ken Robison's avatar

Hey, Bud. Welcome back to Fresno. If just for a day. Next time, I’ll buy lunch. Peace and grace.

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Timothy E Larson's avatar

John I believe that Joey Harrington was Coached by Jeff Tedford not Andy Ludwig at Oregon. 2001 Jeff Tedford was the OC Andy Ludwig coached at Oregon in 2002-04.

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Jeanie Monterossi's avatar

Really nice to read your story John. Sounds like this young man has a bright future ahead and not in JUST in athletics…gives me hope. I’ll be following him so hope you update us occasionally!

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Dr. James P. McHugh's avatar

I would apologize but I made it legal.

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Dr. James P. McHugh's avatar

Actually, anytime you want to do something, I think the BLAZERS started. I'll check. just come on over. Funny, after your wife had me on TV, or maybe because I''m in a wheelchair, I eat for free at big name restaurants (that mow I can't afford.) There are multiple reasons, we should gather. Hell, we eat for free at the ball games. Although, I think that Charles Barkley could get pissed off for no reason and get me a free meal just by being Barkley?

Funnier, I could act like I an escaped from Dammish inmate ,physiologically possessed by Barkley, and you a great member of the community taking me out! I can play the insane easily.. Anything or a free meal,

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Monte Olsen's avatar

Thanks for a great story about a good kid who has his head on right.

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Bob B's avatar

John, did you offer your services as his publicity director/agent?

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Rick Olson's avatar

My understanding is that NIL also applies to HS sports... My bet is on Lanning if he

want's this kid but the Ducks are loaded for the next few years.

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Scott Smith's avatar

Guess that depends if the kid wants "the bag" or if he wants to be developed into a pro QB. We'll see...

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Dr. James P. McHugh's avatar

Great piece. My Father recently passed, he. and my sister both went to ND. It gets freaking cold there. Its like Minnesota. You know what I need, this sounds pretty bad, I need to buy a bit of pot .

PEACE.

JIM

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