Football | 2/1/2012 7:25:00 PM
MONMOUTH, Ore. - The Wolves' success on the field of playing for a Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship in the final game of each of the past two seasons has transferred to success on the recruiting trail for Western Oregon head coach
Arne Ferguson and his staff.
Today (Feb. 1), on the first day recruits can sign National Letters of Intent, per NCAA rules, coach Ferguson announced the signing of 29 high school student-athletes to his 2012 recruiting class. The Wolves will bring in players from throughout Northwest for next season, including 17 Oregonians.
Amongst the Wolves' signees were a multitude of offensive and defensive linemen, along with a number of defensive backs and wide receivers.
"This is a balanced class with the size and speed to move us forward as we play a complete NCAA Division II schedule for the first time," said Ferguson, who is in his seventh season at the helm of the Wolves' football program. "Last year we learned that we have to have a big physical line on both sides of the ball if we are going to compete against the likes of Grand Valley State, Montana and Abilene Christian."
To make this happen the Wolves were able to add both quality and depth in a variety of positions. WOU signed 10 linemen to control to trenches including Remi Rufai (Lake Oswego HS) and
Jeremy Moore (Tigard HS). At wide receiver they picked up a decorated wide receiver out of Pittsburg High School in Calif., and Garren Robinett out of McNary. On the offensive side of the ball WOU also inked talented running back
JJ Fisher from La Salle High School and quarterback
Deion Wright out of AC Davis High School in Washington. The defensive side of the ball is loaded with all-conference and all-state performers highlighted by AJ Hull (Kenai, Alaska) and Barkley Mekeli Fiso (Kahuku HS).
"We expect some of these guys to come in and contribute because it is just so important to win the line of scrimmage battle on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball."," explained Ferguson. "We are finding guys that can play early, and with our Director of Sports Performance
Cori Metzgar-Deacon and the coaching staff we are getting them ready to play right away."
Coach Ferguson praised the work of that coaching staff including
Josh Manning,
Matt Overlin,
Brian Harris, Solomon Tapasa,
Miguel Gonzalez and others for all the work they did to sign such a talented recruiting class.
"Those coaches have been working hard and expanding our recruiting base into all the WUE (Western Undergraduate Exchange) states," Ferguson explained. "They did great job this year, and it was a great effort on their part."
Ferguson and his staff have more verbal commitments in addition to the names listed below, but the school is not allowed to announce those names until the National Letter of Intent form is returned. In addition, there could be more signings in the next week or so.
The Wolves, who are coming off 6-5 season and a second place finish in the GNAC (6-2), recently revealed their 2012 schedule. They will open the season at home against national power Grand Valley State on Saturday, Sept. 1 before beginning GNAC play the following week at Dixie State.
Check out videos of the recruits by clicking on the links below.
WOU National Letter of Intent signees to date
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Chris Aikens, McMinnville HS, DL/LB, 6-2, 220. Second team All-Pac 8 selection on the DL.
[Video]
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Dominic Akina, Century HS, DB, 6-2, 180. First team all-conference as a DB and second team as a punter (6A).
[Video]
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Jason Alvarado, Ontario HS, OL, 6-3, 280. All-GOL selection as a offensive and defensive lineman.
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Terrance Barnes, Pittsburg HS (Calif.), WR, 5-10, 185. First team All-Eastbay WR pick by ESPN. Two-time first team all-league selection as a WR. Set the school record for single-season receiving yards.
[Video]
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Julian Canda, Silverton HS, WR/DB, 6-1, 190. Second team all-state pick as a DB (5A).
[Video]
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Devin Chappell, Thurston HS, DB/WR, 6-2, 185. First team All-Southwest Conference selection (6A).
[Video]
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Tye Collier, Central Catholic HS, DB, 5-10, 175. First team All-Mt. Hood Conference and second team all-state.
[Video]
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Cameron Cook, Thurston HS, OL, 6-5, 255. All-Southwest Conference honorable mention (6A).
[Video]
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Pete Finnegan, Central HS, OL, 6-2, 250. Second team all-state selection (4A) as a center.
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JJ Fisher, La Salle HS, RB, 6-0, 190. All-State Co-Offensive Player of the Year (4A). First team all-state running back.
[Video]
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Gaisoa Gaisoa, Kailua HS (Hawaii), OL, 6-2, 305. All-state selection as an OL. Played in Hawaii Union All-Star game.
[Video]
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Bryson Gray, West Salem HS, WR, 6-4, 180. First team all-conference receiver.
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Roko Gucake, King's HS (Wash.), DL, 6-3, 235. Team's defensive MVP and played in Tanao All-Star game.
[Video]
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John Hanson, Philomath HS, TE/DL, 6-5, 220. All-conference first team selection on the DL, second team all-league selection as a tight end.
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William Hewitt, Crestby HS (Calif.), OL, 6-6, 300. All-league offensive lineman.
[Video]
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AJ Hull, Kenai HS (Alaska), DB, 5-11, 185. Alaska's Offensive Player of the Year. All-state as a DB and QB.
[Video]
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Barkley Mekeli Fiso, Kahuku HS (Hawaii), DB, 6-3, 180. All-state DB and conference defensive MVP.
[Video]
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Molo Mikaele, Kailua HS (Hawaii), OL, 6-2, 310. All-state selection on the OL and played in the Hawaii Union All-Star game.
[Video]
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Jeremy Moore, Tigard HS, DL/OL, 6-1, 255. First all-state on the DL and second team all-state on the OL (6A).
[Video]
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Tafatolu Naea, Waipahu HS (Hawaii), LB, 6-2, 215. All-state LB and member of OIA championship team.
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Brock Namuo, Kealakehe HS (Hawaii), DB, 6-2, 185. First team All-Big Island Interscholastic Federation pick.
[Video]
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Garren Robinett, McNary HS, WR, 6-1, 180. Two-time first team All-Central Valley Conference WR.
[Video]
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Torrey Rogness, Silverton HS, WR, 6-3, 175. All-state honorable mention at WR (5A).
[Video]
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Remi Rufai, Lake Oswego HS, DL, 6-3, 215. Second team all-state (6A) as a defensive lineman.
[Video]
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AJ Spencer, Sherwood HS, DB, 6-0, 175. Second team all-state (5A) as a defensive back.
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Watson Tautuiaki, Elk Grove HS (Calif.), DL/OL, 6-2, 280. All-Metro League selection as an offensive and defensive lineman.
[Video]
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Taylor Wood, Tumwater HS (Wash.), LB/DB, 6-2, 195. All-Academic and all-conference selection.
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Deion Wright, AC Davis HS (Wash.), QB, 6-1, 185. Washington Sports Network Offensive Player of the Year. Set the Big-9 Conference record for single-season passing yards and touchdown passes.
[Video]
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Tanner Zent, Sheldon HS, LB, 6-2, 240. All-Southwest Conference (6A) honorable mention selection at LB.
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