Local grid stars backpedal on Oregon State, sign elsewhere

Spencer Patterson

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2001 | 11:43 a.m.

After a wave of verbal commitments in recent weeks, Oregon State thought it had secured three of Southern Nevada's top prep football prospects.

Turns out, the Beavers will have to settle for just one.

As college football's national letter of intent period opened today, Bishop Gorman's Dyante Perkins signed with UNLV and Western's Tim Day signed with Oregon, leaving Eldorado's Steven Jackson as the only local player to sign with Oregon State.

"I was kind of disappointed to hear that," Jackson admitted. "I thought I would have some Vegas buddies going with me. But they should do what's best for them."

Jackson, a 6-1, 210-pound running back, was the first to commit to the Beavers, in December. He said he never wavered from his initial choice.

"I feel good, very solid with it," said Jackson, the Sun's 2000 State Offensive Player of the Year with 2,764 rushing yards and 34 rushing touchdowns. "I felt my verbal commitment was a gentleman's agreement, and if you're not all the way sure, you should let them know."

Perkins, a 6-1, 220-pounder, committed to Oregon State last month, but changed his mind as signing day approached. He said he ultimately chose the Rebels because they offered him a chance to play running back, while the Beavers projected him as an outside linebacker.

"It was a decision based on position," Perkins said. "I've talked to a few people and they think I'm a better offensive player. That's where I've played most of my time (at Gorman)."

And though the thought of playing for a Beavers squad that won this year's Fiesta Bowl and finished No. 4 in the AP Top 20 was tempting, Perkins said he was more excicted about helping build an up-and-coming Rebels program.

"I want to play for (UNLV coach) John Robinson. I want to help put Vegas on the map. We've got places to go," Perkins said. "(Oregon State) were the first people to recruit me, and that was an honor. But it's a choice I made and I'm happy with it."

Day, a 6-5, 250-pound defensive lineman who was right behind Perkins in committing to Oregon State, also reevaluated his decision as signing day approached. He said he selected the Ducks -- the Beavers' in-state rivals -- after carefully reevaluating Oregon's two Pac-10 schools.

"Last time I made my decision, I felt rushed. Oregon State was running out of scholarships and they told me they couldn't wait anymore," Day said. "This time, I'm real comfortable with my decision.

"I've thought long and hard and talked to my parents over and over about it to make sure I made the right decision," Day continued. "I felt Oregon had more to offer me academically and on the football field."

As expected, Valley defensive back James Sims (6-2, 180) made good on his verbal commitment to play football and triple-jump at Washington. Also signing today was Viking quarterback Demetrius Ford (5-9, 175), who selected Southern Utah.

Cimarron-Memorial defensive back Kyler Rushton (6-1, 190) signed with Utah, following in the footsteps of former Spartan teammates Taylor Miller ('00) and Arnold Parker ('99). Like Miller, Rushton will spend two years on a Mormon Mission before joining the Utes in 2003.

"(Utah's coaches) like Cimarron kids. They're impressed with what (former Soartans) coach (Greg) Spencer puts out," said Rushton, who also considered Utah State. "It was a tough choice, but I'm very happy to have the opportunity to go there."

Along with Perkins, UNLV received letters of intent from two other area players -- Rancho defensive end Leon Moore (6-4, 250) and Bishop Gorman's Jason Rogers (5-10, 190), who is expected to play receiver for the Rebels.

Chaparral's Dallas Dobbs (6-2, 205) will join Ford at Southern Utah, where Dobbs will likely play defensive back for the Thunderbirds.

Also today, two of Las Vegas' top girls soccer players signed letters of intent. Cimarron-Memorial's Vanesha Bailey -- the area's leading scorer with 36 goals -- selected Arizona. And Rancho's Kamilah Bywaters -- who has starred at both striker and sweeper during her prep career -- chose Howard.