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77 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, September 16, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend August 20, 2004 Faaeteete yearns to make UO traveling squad By DON HUNT Mail Tribune EUGENE — The jury is still out as to whether David Faaeteete will redshirt his freshman year at Oregon. Faaeteete, who helped lead North Medford to a state runner-up finish in the Class 4A football playoffs last season, has spent most of the last month in Eugene getting ready for fall practice, which began Wednesday. The Ducks open their season Sept. 11 against Indiana at Autzen Stadium. "It’s going to depend how fast I learn the system and how I produce at practice the first few weeks," Faaeteete said during Oregon’s media day on Wednesday. "I can’t wait to get out there and put the pads on." Faaeteete, a defensive tackle, will battle fellow freshmen Cole Linehan of Banks and Ra’Shan Harris of Pittsburg, Calif., for a roster spot this season. Faaeteete said Ducks defensive line coach Steve Gratewood told him it’s likely one of the three will earn a spot with the other two redshirting. Advertisement "I know there are advantages to redshirting in terms of learning the system and getting used to the college atmosphere, but I want to play now," said Faaeteete, the state’s 4A defensive player of the year in 2003. "I think I’m physically and mentally ready, but we’ll see what happens at practice." Faaeteete checked in at 299 pounds last week but expects to trim down to 290 within the next month. The Ducks’ defensive line, anchored by 6-foot-5, 345-pound sophomore tackle Haloti Ngata and junior end Devan Long, is rated 10th-best in the nation by Lindy’s magazine. But it lacks proven depth. J.D. Nelson is regarded as an emerging star in Oregon’s defensive backfield. The son of former Stanford standout Darrin Nelson played mostly special teams last season as a freshman, but will take over at free safety for the departed Keith Lewis. "He has all the qualities to be a great player," said Oregon cornerback Justin Phinisee. "He’s quick and athletic, but his best quality is probably his intelligence. He knows what’s going on out there." Not surprisingly, Nelson was recruited by Stanford — along with Arizona, Wisconsin and the Ducks. His father was a standout running back with the Cardinal and spent 11 seasons in the NFL. Darrin Nelson is now an associate athletic director at the school. "I’m sure I would have been happy going to Stanford but we lived 15 minutes from campus and I wanted a new experience," Nelson said. "Dad didn’t pressure me into going to Stanford or anywhere else. He left the decision up to me." At 5-11 and 205 pounds, J.D. Nelson is considerably bigger than his father, who played at 5-8 and 160. Nonetheless, Darrin Nelson racked up 4,033 yards rushing, 6,885 all-purpose yards and 40 touchdowns — all three totals remain school records — while earning All-America status with the Cardinal. He was the seventh overall pick (by the Minnesota Vikings) in the 1982 NFL draft. Senior place-kicker Jared Siegel has two things most of his teammates lack — a college degree and a wife. Siegel earned a degree in marketing last spring and got married on June 12. He’s now pursuing a masters degree in business. The Sacramento, Calif., product is just eight points shy of becoming Oregon’s all-time leading scorer. He holds school records with 91 straight extra-point kicks and 15 straight field goals. Siegel’s numbers slipped slightly last year from a sensational sophomore season in which he drilled 8 of 11 field goals from beyond 40 yards, including a 3-for-3 effort from beyond 50. "I’ve worked harder than I ever have in the off-season," Siegel said. "I’ve gotten stronger on all of my lifts (in the weight room) and I was out there kicking twice a day throughout the spring and summer. "This is my last year, and I want it to be my best one yet." Oregon’s latest recruiting class is considered to be its best ever, and head coach Mike Bellotti says as many as a dozen players could join the traveling squad this season as true freshmen. The crown jewel is considered to be Cameron Colvin, a five-star wide receiver from De La Salle High in Compton, Calif. Colvin planned to sign with USC or Michigan but chose Oregon at the last minute in order to join high school teammates Jackie Bates, Willie Glasper and Terrance Kelly at Oregon. Tragically, Kelly was shot and killed in his hometown of Richmond, Calif., last week. Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. 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