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Area prep football stars sign with colleges By DON HUNT Mail Tribune With a 4.0 grade-point average and a score of 1,420 on his Scholastic Aptitude Test, North Medford High's Alan Borelli would be a welcome addition to virtually any college in the country. As an undersized outside linebacker, the 6-foot-1, 208-pound Borelli isn't looked upon with the same respect. But Borelli found the perfect fit for academics and football on Wednesday when he committed to Princeton University. The Ivy League school plays at the NCAA, Division I-AA level. "The coaches and players seemed pretty intense about getting to the top (of the Ivy League) and I'd like to be a part of that," Borelli said. "And obviously I'm going to a school that emphasizes academics." Other local high school players who signed with college teams Wednesday on national letter of intent day included Eagle Point offensive lineman Mike Brabbin and Grants Pass running back Tom Martin, who both signed with Western Oregon. Two players who appeared headed for Division I scholarships - North Medford lineman Dan Johnson and defensive back Travis Poulton - were left hanging. Johnson said he plans to walk on at Oregon while Poulton is expected to walk on at Oregon or Oregon State. Borelli was being heavily recruited by both Princeton and Brown - another Ivy League school and the defending league champion in football. He toured the Princeton campus in New Jersey in mid-January and visited Brown (Providence, R.I.) a couple weeks later. "I was very impressed by both places and I think I would have been happy at either one," Borelli said. "But Princeton just felt like the best fit. They've already lined me up with a roommate there - a defensive end from Tennessee." Princeton also recruited Borelli the hardest, sending linebackers coach Don Dobes to his Medford home twice in January. Although Princeton doesn't give athletic scholarships, Borelli is expected to receive more than $30,000 per year in grant money, which is based on need. "I'm going to be paying very little or nothing at all," he predicted. Borelli helped his cause by making a highlight video from last season, when he helped North Medford to a 7-3 record and a berth in the state playoffs and led the Black Tornado in solo tackles (36), assisted tackles (21) and sacks (seven). He also had two fumble recoveries and an interception. Borelli sent the video to all of the Ivy League schools as well as a host of other Division I-AA schools such as Montana, Montana State and Portland State. Many of the schools were scared off by Borelli's lack of size - he tipped the scales at just 195 last season but has since put on 13 pounds. "There's no doubt in my mind that I'm going to make it at this level - I've worked too hard not to," Borelli said. Borelli has been working out five days a week at Superior Athletic Club under the watchful eye of fitness trainer and nutritionist Jason Tonkin. Borelli has been lifting weights three days a week and doing plyometrics the other two, and has dramatically changed his eating habits over the past two months. Asked what a typical meal is these days, Borelli said a can of tuna, a cup of Grapenuts, a glass of milk and a banana. He's putting down six meals a day at approximately 600 calories and eight grams of fat per meal. "It was difficult at first but now I'm used to it and I can already see the results," Borelli said. "I've gotten a little bigger and stronger and I definitely feel better." Borelli's greatest asset as a football player, however, is probably his intensity. That unbridled enthusiasm showed up on the video he sent out. "I've never coached a player whose motor runs as strong as his does," said North Medford coach John Beck, who last fall completed his 18th season in coaching. "I've never seen Alan take a play off. "That's one of those intangibles that's going to bode him well no matter where he plays." Borelli, who is ranked first in his class at North Medford, is undecided on a major. He's leaning toward business or economics. Johnson, meanwhile, was considered one of the top high school offensive linemen on the West Coast following his junior year. Also a standout student - Johnson scored 1,520 on his SAT test - he was being recruited by California and Northwestern. But two knee injuries, an otherwise subpar senior season and a lack of height - Johnson is 6-2, 275 - dropped him off major college recruiting lists. "I've played against guys who have gotten Division I scholarships and I think I can play at that level," Johnson said. "I'm going to walk on at Oregon and see what I can do." Brabbin is part of a trifecta of 300-pounders landed by Western Oregon coach Duke Iverson. The 6-4, 305-pound center joins Roseburg's Willie Kingry (6-4, 320) and Crook County's Brandon Jasmin (6-5, 310) as the heart of the Wolves' recruiting class. Iverson's pro-style offense is a reputed passing attack, he said, but he wants a more physical front to beef up the ground game. "We won't necessarily have the chance every year to get these kind of people," said Iverson. "We have three 300-pounders from the get-go, and they all have height and athleticism." Brabbin, who received honorable mention in SOC all-star voting, proved to be a hot commodity for his smarts as well as his size. The son of Eagle Point Principal Mari Brabbin, his GPA of 3.8 impressed. "Word gets around, I guess," said Brabbin, who didn't pursue any of the colleges but still got "letter after letter after letter. They look down a sheet and say, 'Oh, this kid is big,' then send a questionnaire." He returned many queries, then sent game film to those who requested a more thorough look. He visited Western Oregon, Washington State, Portland State and Linfield before deciding on the former. The allure of playing for a Pac-10 Conference team such as Washington State wasn't enough to sway him from what he considers a perfect fit. "I'm a small-town boy, and it's a small-town community," he said. "And I'll get a lot of playing time there, considering at Washington State I'd have to wait two years. I can come in and play right off the bat." Brabbin, who also excels at long snapping, is a strong run blocker who will need to hone his pass blocking. Joe Meerten, the Eagles' offensive line coach who played at Oregon in the late 1980s after a stellar Eagle Point career, said Brabbin is "big and he moves people." As for pass blocking, it's something they've worked on over the years, and Meerten has little doubt Brabbin will develop in that area. "He exudes a great attitude and work ethic," said Meerten, "and I think he'll be very successful there." Martin (6-0, 185) ran for nearly 1,000 regular-season yards last year for the Cavemen, including 266 in the finale against Eagle Point. Though not a burner, his versatility - he's a fine receiver out of the backfield - and toughness are assets. Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.