Duck Feed: Touted Recruit is Oregon's Gaines - GoDucks.com - The University of Oregon Official Athletics Web Site

Touted Recruit is Oregon's Gaines
Monday, March 16, 3:30 p.m. PT

It's been nearly six weeks since football Signing Day, but the University of Oregon's already stout recruiting class for 2009 just got deeper and more impressive with the formal addition of junior college second team All-America Tyrece Gaines, who signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Ducks.

One of the most sought after JC recruits in the nation, the 6-2.5, 204-pound wide receiver spent the past two seasons with reigning JUCO national champion Butler County Community College (Kan.). A four-star recruit according to both Rivals.com and Scout.com, he was rated as the No. 8 overall prospect in the Rivals junior college top 100.

The signing of Gaines had long been rumored, but in the current landscape of college football recruiting, things can change in a hurry.

"We're extremely excited regarding the addition of Tyrece to our program and it signifies the culmination of a lot of hard work on a number of fronts," said current head coach and future athletic director Mike Bellotti. "The delay in the receipt of his letter can be attributed to our due diligence regarding the determination of his transfer status."

The addition of Gaines brings the total number of UO's incoming class to 26 student-athletes - 14 expected on defense, 10 on offense and two on special teams.

"He will be a fine addition to our receiving corps and eases our concerns regarding our depth at that position with the loss of two senior starters," Bellotti said.

• Gaines, Tyrece WR
6-2.5, 204 - Lawrenceville, Ga. (Norcross HS/Butler County C.C. (Kan.))
One of the most sought after junior college receivers in the nation, earned second team All-America acclaim this past season for JUCO national champion Butler County Community College (Kan.) ... Rated as the No. 8 overall prospect in the Rivals.com junior college top 100 ... A four-star recruit according to both Rivals and Scout.com ... Made 28 receptions for 490 yards (17.5 avg.), including a team-high nine touchdowns in 2008 ... Caught 23 balls for 424 yards (18.4 avg.) and four scores as a freshman in 2007 ... Teammate of fellow incoming 2009 signee Zac Clark at Butler County C.C.

OREGON 2009 RECRUITING CLASS (as of March 16, 2009)

JUNIOR COLLEGE
1. Clark, Zac DL: 6-2, 256 - Wichita, Kan. (Wichita North HS/Butler County C.C. (Kan.))
2. Iupati, Andrew DL: 6-1, 299 - Anaheim, Calif. (Western HS/Golden West C.C. (Calif.))
3. Gaines, Tyrece WR: 6-2.5, 204 - Lawrenceville, Ga. (Norcross HS/Butler County C.C. (Kan.))
4. Littlejohn, Bryson LB: 6-1, 227 - Elk Grove, Calif. (Laguna Creek HS/Sierra C.C. (Calif.))
5. Montgomery, Terrance DL: 6-2, 291 - Pittsburgh, Pa. (East Allegheny HS/Reedley C.C. (Calif.))
6. Tuinei, Lavasier – 6-5, 200, Arcadia, Ind. (Hamilton Heights HS/Golden West C.C. (Calif.))

HIGH SCHOOL
1. Anderson, Anthony DL: 6-4, 222 - La Mesa, Calif. (Helix HS)
2. Arden, Keaton DL: 6-5, 225 - Piedmont, Calif. (Piedmont HS)
3. Armstrong, Karrington OL: 6-2, 296 - Reno, Nev. (McQueen HS)
4. Benyard III, Everett OL: 6-7, 315 - San Diego, Calif. (Cathedral Catholic HS)
5. Bowlin, Mike K: 6-3, 192 - Aliso Viejo, Calif. (Aliso Niguel HS)
6. Brown, Justin DL: 6-2, 268 - Compton, Calif. (Compton HS)
7. Burrell, Jamaal OL: 6-4, 276 - Compton, Calif. (Dominguez HS)
8. Clay, Michael LB: 5-11, 220 - San Jose, Calif. (Bellarmine College Prep)
9. Cole, Nick WR/S: 6-3, 185 - Concord, Calif. (Clayton Valley HS)
10. Fox, Trevor OL: 6-5, 287 - Temecula, Calif. (Chaparral HS)
11. Harris, Cliff CB/S: 5-11, 168 - Fresno, Calif. (Edison HS)
12. Hart, Taylor DL: 6-6, 256 - Tualatin, Ore. (Tualatin HS)
13. Hawkins, Daryle ATH: 6-4, 190 - Omaha, Neb. (Omaha Central HS)
14. Jackson, Brian CB/S: 5-10, 193 - Hoover, Ala. (Hoover HS)
15. Jackson, Diante WR: 6-2, 200 - Walnut Creek, Calif. (Las Lomas HS)
16. Keliikipi, Wade DL: 6-3, 285 - Wai’anae, Hawaii (Wai’anae HS)
17. Lane, Braxton WR: 5-11, 192 - Tyrone, Ga. (Sandy Creek HS)
18. Lokombo, Boseko LB: 6-3, 226 - Abbotsford, British Columbia (W.J. Mouat Secondary)
19. Patterson, Avery CB/S: 5-10, 171 - Pittsburg, Calif. (Pittsburg Senior HS)
20. Rice, Jackson P: 6-3, 225 - Moraga, Calif. (Campolindo HS)