*We continue our look at Oregon’s top junior athletes returning this season with the LB’s & DB’s .. Its a phenomenal class from top to bottom, as we will bring you updates on all of the top underclassmen throughout the year.
Linebackers
LaMar Winston 6-3 205 Central Catholic– One of the top athletes in the West. LaMar accounted for 43 total tackles and 9 tackles for loss last season earning 2nd team all league honors, and helping the Rams to the state title. Look for him to be one of the top WR’s in the region offensively. He will be a double digit D1 offer kid
Ronnie Rust 6-1 200 Central Catholic– Rust earned All American honors last season as one of the top sophomore LB’s in the country. He will project as a safety at the D1 level, already holding an offer from Oregon St on the Diamond as maybe the top baseball player in the state.
Kiahve Dennis-Lee 6-2 190 Oregon City– Kiahve is just a baller, earning 1st team all league honors as a sophomore and going for over 100+ tackles last season. He has legit size and could be a high profile recruit with continued progression.
Marcus Dufour 6-3 220 Newberg– Get used to this name as Marcus can play. He has D1 size and had a phenomenal sophomore season earning 2nd team all league honors. He looks very similar to All American Junior LB Joel Dublanko of Aberdeen, WA.
Parker Bull 5-11 195 Aloha– Bull be a 4 year varsity kid, earning 2nd team all league accolades on both sides of the football. He is one of the most exciting players in the state and will be a Metro League Player of the Year candidate over the next two seasons.
Jakob Eisenbeiss 6-3 200 Sherwood– Just a big, fast, physical kid that happened to score 4 TD’s in week 1. He was injured as a sophomore, but projects defensively with his 4.0 GPA and nose for the football. D1 and Ivy League schools will be in touch.
Easton Bents 6-2 215 Grants Pass– Easton is one of the top overall players in the state on the football and baseball field. He can play multiple spots on offense and defense, showing off his overall athleticism from his LB/S and WR/QB position.
Mike Petroff 6-1 225 Jesuit – The Crusaders have produced some outstanding D1 LB’s over the years and Petroff could be next in line. He started in last years state title game and looked outstanding.
Devin Thompson 6-0 200 Liberty– Thompson earned 1st team all NWOC honors as a sophomore, something very tough to do at such a young age. He will be the Falcons leader defensively over the next two seasons.
Max Mattern 5-11 195 Lake Oswego– Mattern is a two way threat and will be the go to guy for Lake O in the coming seasons. He earned 2nd team all league honors at backer in the brutally tough TRL as a sophomore
Nate Heaukulani 6-1 205 Jesuit– Nate had a phenomenal sophomore season, looking like one of the top young defenders in the state. He started in the title game and could project as a strong safety at the next level.
Sam Chitty 6-0 200 West Linn– I really like Chitty and think he will be one of the state’s best. He is part of a very talented up and coming Lions squad that could make some noise in the playoffs this year.
Grant Nielsen 6-0 210 Tualatin– Nielsen has really come into his own and will be a featured athlete for the T Wolves in the next two years. Look for him to be one of the top defensive players in the TRL.
Blake Fletcher 6-1 210 West Linn– Projects as an outside backer. Will be one of the top defensive players in the TRL. Comes fast and physical off the ball and will be a kid to watch moving forward.
Will Vermilyea 6-2 195 South Albany– Vermilyea earned all league honors as a sophomore and has legit size. He will be one of the top players in the MWC
Bryan Oh 5-9 215 Crescent Valley– Not the biggest kid but he will track you down. He went off last year, leading the state in tackles among sophomores with 123. Look for him to be a Defensive Player of the Year candidate in the conference over the next two seasons.
Defensive Backs
Brady Breeze 6-1 200 Central Catholic– The Oregon commit is one of the top safeties in the nation for the 2016 class and an even better kid. As most know Breeze is the nephew of 8 year NFL vet Chad Cota, and potentially one of the top overall athletes to come through the state in some time
Trevon Bradford 5-11 180 Oregon City– The do it all kid is more known for his offense, but earned 1st team all league honors on defense last season. He is one of the most dangerous return men in the region and could be a D1 corner
Cody Coppedge 6-4 175 West Linn- One of the top dual threat kids in the west. Coppedge tied Happle and Bumgardner with (4) INT’s among sophomores last season. He will be ranked one of the state’s top 2 receivers for the 2016 class, and projects as a multi offer D1 kid
Zach Houlemard 6-1 195 Jesuit– Houle is a player and will be one of the top defenders in the state this season. He can play a multitude of positions and has legit size at the corner spot. Look for him to take on a roll very similar to Trent Werner
Trae Gould 5-10 165 Marist– Gould is the real deal, earning 1st team all league honors as a sophomore. He is the son of D1 head coach Ron Gould (UC Davis) and will be a threat to go to the house any time he has the ball in his hands.
Jordan Happle 6-1 195 Jesuit– One of the fastest rising players in Oregon. He led the Crusaders in picks last season (4), as one of seven sophomore starters that played in last years state title game. Jordan now looks like a primary offensive weapon as well, scoring 2 TD’s in week 1.
Caden Carter 6-0 180 Sunset– Carter earned 2nd team all league honors as a sophomore in the brutally tough Metro League. He will be a primary back for the Apollos and one of the top players in the Metro.
Andy Armstrong 5-9 160 West Salem– Armstrong is just an outstanding athlete. He earned 1st team all league accolades as a sophomore and should be considered one of the top cover corners in the state.
Donovan Baldocchi 5-10 185 Jesuit– The last name goes a long way as he comes from a football family. He is a dual threat kid and one of the top junior DB/ ATH’s in the state.
Bryce Bumgardner 6-1 175 St. Helens– Bryce tied for the state lead in INT’s (4) among sophomores with Jordan Happle. He may be an even better receiver, but is one of Oregon’s top DB’s.
Alex Stickel 6-2 190 Sunset– One of the fastest rising dual threat athletes in the Metro. Stickel will get an opportunity to lead what should be a good Apollo football team.
Chris Wilson 5-11 170 Parkrose– Wilson earned all conference honors as a sophomore at DB, and will be called upon on both sides of the football once this exceptional 2015 class graduates.
JJ Wells 5-8 160 Central Catholic– One of CC’s outstanding junior athletes. Wells is shifty and will be utilized on D and out of the slot over the next two years.
Will Spence 5-10 175 North Medford– Spence is a very talented overall athlete much like 1st team all league two way threat Nick Janakes. He went for over 400 yards and 2 TD’s offensively and will be one of the top defenders in the SWC.
KT Seth 5-8 150 West Linn– Not the biggest kid but he is legit and will lock you up in the secondary. He is one of the many talented underclassmen on the Lions roster.
Bryce Dickey 5-10 185 Clackamas– Dickey had an outstanding sophomore season on both sides of the football. He accumulated 68 total tackles and 4 tackles for loss from his safety spot
Elijah Benedick 6-2 190 Wilsonville– One of the top overall athletes in the NWOC. He didn’t play much D as a sophomore but is football smart and will be valuable in the secondary
