Oregon St. Adds Another Recruit, And A Couple Of Grey Shirts Have Shown Up

Oregon St. has received a verbal commitment from Zach Thompson for their 2012 recruiting class, bringing their total to 22 players.

Thompson, who is from Sequoyah High in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, stands 6'2", and weighs 195 lbs. He played WR and DB in high school, and other schools, including Missouri, Wyoming, and Memphis, have talked to him in the context of other positions. However, Oregon St. is interested in his possibly switching to outside linebacker, if he can add 15-20 lbs. to his frame without losing speed.

If he makes the move, he would become the third LB in this recruiting group.

Here's his highlight video:

Neither Scout.com nor Rivals.com have evaluated Thompson at this time.

Oregon St.'s commit total is going to put them well over the 85 scholarship limit, probably more than normal attrition over winter, spring, and summer quarters usually produces, so expect several of them to wind up grey-shirting.

Two current Greyshirts have also enrolled this week, now that Winter term has started. Elisinoa Aluesi from Portland's Jefferson High, who was recruited as a part of the 2011 class, and walk on kicker Andrew Mikkelsen from Canby High, are now on the Beaver's team.

Aluesi's primary claim to fame at Jeff came at DE, but he was enough of an overall athlete that he was used in several roles. Oregon St. head coach Mike Riley anticipates using the 6'6", 243 lb. Aluesi at TE.

Here's a look at some of his highlights:

Aluesi is rated a 2 star recruit by both Rivals and Scout. He also has plans to go on a Mormon mission at some point.

Mikkelsen, nicknamed "Pug" graduated in 2011, and was selected second team All League in the Three Rivers League kicking for the Cougars in 2010. He has hit a 60 yard field goal in practice.

Here's his highlight video:

Kickoffs are 5 yards shorter in high school, but the ones out the back of the end zone are still, out the back of the end zone. The video includes some after penalties pushed the kickoff back to the 25 yard line, which gives a good idea about the length he has.

Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com