MONMOUTH, Ore. - The Western Oregon football program signed 19 players today to National Letters of Intent. The announcement was made by head coach Arne Ferguson on the first day that recruits can sign, per NCAA rules.
The Wolves received commitments from a multitude of wide receivers and defensive backs during the first hours of the signing period, along with two quarterbacks, four linemen and a linebacker. They have also signed native Oregonians to 15 of the 19 National Letters of Intent.
"Our goal is to recruit the best athletes in Oregon, especially in the valley," said Ferguson. "We want to bring in the best Division II student-athletes who will compete and fit into our system."
After focusing on linemen during last season's recruiting process, coach Ferguson and his staff turned their attention towards signing more players at the outside 'skill' positions.
"I feel good about the size and speed we are brining in at receiver and at defensive back," explained Ferguson. "Many of the players be signed are very versatile and can play both sides of the ball."
Although not the point of emphasis this recruiting period, the Wolves did receive commitments from one of their most talented linemen recruiting classes. Leading the way is 6-2, 330 lbs., lineman Mike Bishop (Crater). Bishop was named the Southern Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year and first team all-state (5A). Wolves will also be bringing in three linemen on the other side of the ball with Bill Ellington (Gilchrist), Trent Gallegos (West Salem) and Matt Gillette (Sprague).
"I expect great things from our four linemen early," Ferguson noted. "These linemen move much better than our previous recruiting classes."
Western Oregon also inked two out of state quarterbacks, Trey Shimabukuro (Kauai) and Ryan Bergman (Issaquah).
"We got two really good athletes at quarterback," said Ferguson. "Both have good arm strength and the ability to make plays which will expand our offense in the future."
All 19 of the Wolves' signees were freshman, and all but one received some form of all-league or all-state recognition.
"I feel the quality of this recruiting class is the best we have ever had," noted Ferguson. "We got bigger and faster student-athletes which all have the ability to change directions.
"With the depth of our existing team I expect these players to come in and an impact because of the skill sets of these student-athletes," Ferguson added.
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 will be more signings in the next week or so.
Ferguson, who is heading into his sixth season at WOU, has a career mark of 32-21. The Wolves were 5-5 last season and finished 7-4 in 2008. They competed in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference for the second consecutive season and posted a 3-3 league record. Ferguson has also led WOU to four consecutive seasons with a .500 or better record, a feat which had not been accomplished since Bill McArthur's squad did it from 1975-81.
“As the only Division II university in Oregon, we have a unique niche," Ferguson added. “With the support of WOU President Dr. John Minahan and Associate Provost for Academic Affairs David McDonald, we continue to build this program. They have both been very instrumental in helping us in any way that they can.”
WOU National Letter of Intent signees to date
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Ryan Bergman, Issaquah HS, QB, 6-2, 170. Second team All-KingCo Crest selection.
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Mike Bishop, Crater HS, DL, 6-2, 330. Southern Sky Conference Defensive POY, first team all-state selection (5A).
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Nevin Blem, Woodburn HS, DB, 5-11, 185. Second team all-conference defensive back.
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Bill Ellington, Gilchrist HS, OL, 6-5, 270. First team All-Skyline Conference as a guard.
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Trent Gallegos, West Salem HS, OL, 6-4, 300. Unanimous first team All-Central Valley Conference and second team all-state selection as an offensive tackle.
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Nick Gammie, Marist HS, LB, 5-11, 210. First team All-Sky-Em Conference as a linebacker.
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Matt Gillette, Sprague HS, OL, 6-3, 270. Central Valley Conference honorable mention.
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Zach Lagier, Radford HS, WR, 6-3, 195. Played in the Hawaii Goodwill Senior Bowl.
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Kyle Lane, Reynolds HS, WR, 5-10, 175. All-Mt. Hood Conference first team selection as a defensive back and second team honoree as a wide receiver.
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Coulter Mastenbroek, Scio HS, DB, 6-0, 180. Tri-River Conference co-back of the year and unanimous first team selection as a running back and defensive back.
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Nathaniel Penaranda, Union HS, RB, 5-11, 185. Named the Great St. Helens League Offensive POY. Scored 24 touchdowns as a senior.
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Javontae Perry, Roosevelt HS, WR/DB, 5-9, 160. First team All-Portland Interscholastic Federation as a wide receiver and second team honoree as a defensive back.
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Trey Shimabukuro, Kauai HS, QB, 6-2, 185. Kaua'i Interscholastic Federation Offensive Player of the Year.
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Ryan Sonday, Crater HS, 5-9, 180. First team all-state selection as a defensive back.
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Roman Thompson, Roosevelt HS, DB, 5-9, 160. Second team All-Portland Interscholastic League selection as a wide receiver and defensive back.
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Jeff Weisenhaus, Sprague HS, WR, 6-3, 205. Unanimous first team All-Central Valley Conference selection.
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Booker Wells, Grant HS, WR/DB, 6-2, 180. Honorable mention all-state selection as a wide receiver.
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Tyrell Williams, Cascade HS, WR, 6-4, 180. All-Capital Conference first team selection as a wide receiver and defensive back. Second team all-conference kick returner.
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Jacob Ziegler, Crater HS, WR/DB, 5-11, 170. Southern Sky Conference first team selection as a wide receiver and second team honoree as a defensive back.
Signing list for newspaper agate.
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown (High School)
Ryan Bergman QB 6-2 170 Issaquah, Wash. (Issaquah)
Mike Bishop DL 6-2 330 Eagle Point, Ore. (Crater)
Nevin Blem DB 5-11 185 Woodburn, Ore. (Woodburn)
Bill Ellington OL 6-5 270 Gilchrist, Ore. (Gilchrist)
Trent Gallegos OL 6-4 300 Salem, Ore. (West Salem)
Nick Gammie LB 5-11 210 Eugene, Ore. (Marist)
Matt Gillette OL 6-3 270 Salem, Ore. (Sprague)
Zach Lagier WR 6-3 195 Honolulu, Hawaii (Radford)
Kyle Lane WR 5-10 175 Gresham, Ore. (Reynolds)
Coulter Mastenbroek DB 6-0 180 Scio, Ore. (Scio)
Nathaniel Penaranda RB 5-11 185 Vancouver, Wash. (Union)
Javontae Perry WR/DB 5-9 160 Protland, Ore. (Roosevelt)
Trey Shimabukuro QB 6-2 185 Lihue, Hawaii (Kauai)
Ryan Sonday DB 5-9 180 Medford, Ore. (Crater)
Roman Thompson DB 5-9 160 Portland, Ore. (Roosevelt)
Jeff Weisenhaus WR 6-3 205 Salem, Ore. (Sprague)
Booker Wells WR/DB 6-2 180 Portland, Ore. (Grant)
Tyrell Williams WR 6-4 180 Turner, Ore. (Cascade)
Jacob Ziegler WR/DB 5-11 170 Eagle Point, Ore. (Crater)
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