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Grizzlies' Aleman to play for UO By DAVID PRESZLER MailTribune.com By DAVID PRESZLER Posted Oct. 18, 1997 at 2:00 AM Updated Jan 12, 2011 at 1:22 PM By DAVID PRESZLER Posted Oct. 18, 1997 at 2:00 AM Updated Jan 12, 2011 at 1:22 PM » Social News of the Mail Tribune Motivated by dual desires to play Pacific-10 football and stay closeto home, Ashland High star Cy Aleman has verbally committed to attend theUniversity of Oregon. Aleman said Friday that he accepted the Ducks' offer of a full-ride footballscholarship earlier this week but had virtually decided to attend the schoolseveral months ago. I was pretty confident with my decision, said Aleman, whowas attracted to the school after attending Oregon's football camp lastsummer. The 6-foot-4, 185-pound senior wide receiver drew attention from severalschools but didn't really consider offers from outside the Pac-10. I really wanted to play Pac-10 football, he said. Somethingabout it was really appealing. In addition to Oregon and Oregon State, Ashland coach Jim Nagel saidArizona State, Stanford, Washington, Washington State, Portland State andBoise State all expressed interest in Aleman. Aleman said the combination of a coaching staff he felt comfortable withand an improving program in the region led him to pick Oregon. They have a building program that has a lot of promise, Alemansaid. And it was close to home and that was a pretty big part of it. Aleman, who carries a 3.5 grade point average but has yet to decidedon a major, said the chance to get a quality education was also important. In five games with the unbeaten Grizzlies this season, Aleman has 22catches for 587 yards and six touchdowns. He's also scored on a 19-yardrun. As a junior, he earned second-team all-state honors after catching55 passes for 1,188 yards with 14 touchdowns. While it may take time, Nagel said he's confident that Aleman can findsuccess at the Division I college level. There's a lot of natural talent and ability there, the veteranhigh school coach said. He's got very good speed and you couple thatwith hard work and dedication and that combines for a lot of success andpotential. He's got the potential to be a big-time college player. There haven'tbeen too many guys who've gone through here that have his kind of ability.He 's the whole package as a receiver. After more than a decade of success at Ashland, Nagel will take overthe Southern Oregon University football coaching duties next fall but saidthere wasn't much of a chance that Aleman would follow him to the NAIA school. I think he wanted the Division I opportunity, Nagel said.I don't really think Southern Oregon was in the picture. Aleman's verbal commitment to Oregon isn't binding. He won't officiallyaccept the scholarship offer until he signs a letter of intent early nextyear. The signing period for high school football players is Feb. 4 to April1. Until he is signed, Oregon officials can't confirm the offer or commenton his intention to attend the school. Aleman said he has talked with head coach Mike Bellotti several timesas well as wide receivers coach Chris Peterson. He met both for the firsttime at last summer's camp. He said he was impressed not only with the coaching staff but with theteam's potential over the next few years. They are very young right now, Aleman said of the Ducks,who are 1-3 in the Pac-10 and 3-3 overall. They'll be up there ina couple of years. One reason for Aleman's optimism was the signing last year of CentralCatholic High quarterback Joey Harrington, who is red-shirting this season.Harrington earned first-team all-state honors his senior year of high schoolafter throwing for 2,151 yards and 28 touchdowns. Aleman and the top-ranked Grizzlies (6-0) had a bye this week. Ashlandreturns to action Friday against South Medford at Spiegelberg Stadium. Today'sSports Index, By DAVID PRESZLER MailTribune.com By DAVID PRESZLER Posted Oct. 18, 1997 at 2:00 AM Updated Jan 12, 2011 at 1:22 PM » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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