Fien to Sign With UCLA Despite Efforts of Texas

As the ink dries today on Royal High quarterback Ryan Fien’s letter of intent to attend UCLA, the hopes of the Texas Longhorns will dry up like the Rio Grande in summer.

Fien, who gave Texas an oral commitment Jan. 19, recanted Monday and said that he would sign a letter of intent with UCLA today, the first day of the signing period. But the Longhorns refused to accept Fien’s decision, although Fien already had informed several media outlets.

“Texas just wouldn’t take no for an answer,” Fien said.

After a last-ditch effort Monday night to dissuade Fien, Texas turned its attention to Shea Morenz, a highly regarded quarterback from San Angelo, Tex., who gave the Longhorns an oral commitment late Monday.

In all likelihood, it ended the bizarre events surrounding the recruitment of Fien, the Southern Section Division II player of the year who is considered the No. 2 high school quarterback in the nation by at least one scouting bureau.

After trips to Michigan State, Washington and UCLA, Fien visited Texas on Jan. 18-20 and was arrested as a minor in possession of alcohol in an Austin bar when he briefly held a drink offered by a Longhorn fan.

Fien, 17, an All-American-type, spent nine hours in an Austin jail with a fellow quarterback recruit and a Texas freshman.

The Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission was vilified for the arrests by Longhorn fans, and Fien has been told by Texas court officials that the charges probably will be dropped.

“The whole thing was a joke,” Fien said.

Although Fien, who has exceeded the NCAA-required 700 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test, gave Texas an oral commitment Jan. 19, he said that several schools escalated the recruiting competition.

“I thought everything would calm down, but it got even more hectic,” Fien said. “(Recruiters) weren’t so friendly anymore. They were more forceful.”

When UCLA quarterback Tommy Maddox announced Friday that he would make himself eligible for this year’s NFL draft, the Bruins were left with two inexperienced quarterbacks and an incoming freshman quarterback. Within hours, UCLA Coach Terry Donahue was at Fien’s home for a two-hour meeting.

Fien appeared weary and confused shortly after the meeting but hinted that he was leaning toward committing to UCLA. “I’m so stressed,” he said. “I need to get away from everything.”

After conversations with Maddox and UCLA offensive coordinator Homer Smith, who had written to Fien, Fien gave Donahue an oral commitment late Sunday.

It was not the only change of mind UCLA was to benefit from.

The Bruins also received an oral commitment from Westlake wide receiver Erik Holcomb, who had given Washington an oral commitment Thursday when it appeared that he would not be admitted to UCLA because of a low grade-point average. Holcomb scored 880 on the SAT.

Elsewhere on the recruiting front, Pacific, a member of the Big West Conference, landed four players from the region. Defensive lineman Jason Evans of Royal, quarterback Cody Smith of Crespi, offensive lineman Justin Werth of Ventura and linebacker Vince Bruno of Westlake have committed to play for the Tigers.

UCLA, Nevada, San Diego State, Northwestern and Ohio have each received oral commitments from two area players.

Kennedy High was the big provider in the recruiting derby, sending five players to the college ranks: Offensive lineman Troy Bregel and cornerback Anthony Jones will play at Nevada, cornerback Ronnie Gipson is headed for Oregon, tailback Elijah Raphael will play at Washington State and linebacker Alex Sawatzke committed to Oregon State.

Prep Football Signings

Player/High School Pos Ht Wt College Terry Barnum, Alemany RB 5-10 180 USC Eric Bateman, Camarillo OL 6-7 265 BYU Cory Bowen, Thous. Oaks RB 5-9 190 CPSLO Troy Bregel, Kennedy OL 6-3 240 Nevada Brian Brison, S. Fernando DB 5-9 175 Ohio Tobaise Brookins, Sylmar RB 6-0 180 Wash. Vince Bruno, Westlake LB 6-3 220 Pacific Miguel Cerna, Burbank LB 6-0 205 Northridge Fred Edwards, Ante. Vall. RB 6-1 175 S.D. State Jason Evans, Royal DL 6-1 255 Pacific Ryan Fien, Royal QB 6-4 200 UCLA Ronnie Gipson, Kennedy DB 6-2 170 Oregon S. Graham, Thou. Oaks TE 6-6 230 N’western Steve Hochman, Agoura OL 6-4 235 Miami Erik Holcomb, Westlake WR 6-0 165 UCLA Peter Holt, Antelope Vall. K 5-10 170 S.D. State Anthony Jones, Kennedy DB 6-2 185 Nevada Mi. Lincavage, Mont. Prep QB 6-2 190 Iowa State D. Kasubowski, Burbank OL 6-3 235 Northridge Chuck Osborne, Canyon DL 6-3 260 Arizona Chris Peltonen, Moorpark LB 6-2 190 Northridge Elijah Raphael, Kennedy RB 5-10 175 Wash. St. Brian Roberson, Sylmar WR 5-10 165 Fresno St. Kirk Robertson, Simi Vall. OL 6-4 280 Ariz. St. David Romines, Simi Vall. WR 5-8 255 Northridge Alex Sawatzke, Kennedy LB 6-2 230 Oregon St. Cody Smith, Crespi QB 6-3 225 Pacific L. Townsend, S. Fernando RB 5-10 175 Ohio J. Trevathan,Thous. Oaks WR 6-0 170 Montana Manny Vasquez, Sylmar DL 6-2 265 Northridge Dereck Williams, Crespi DB 6-1 175 NAU Jason Wendland, Royal OL 6-5 255 N’western Justin Werth, Ventura OL 6-3 250 Pacific Ja. Woods, S. Fernando DB 6-0 205 Northridge David Zion, Burbank OL 6-5 245 Northridge