Football recruiting: Saenz bound for Montana

Barry Faulkner and Steve Virgen

NEWPORT BEACH - Newport Harbor High senior Alan Saenz, the two-time

Newport-Mesa District Defensive Player of the Year as a middle

linebacker, has verbally committed to continue his football career at

Montana, Sailors Coach Jeff Brinkley said Tuesday.

Saenz, a 6-foot-1, 260-pounder, committed before returning Sunday from

his recruiting visit to Missoula.

Saenz, an All-CIF Southern Section Division VI choice as a junior, led

the Sailors in tackles the last two seasons. He will be shifted to

defensive tackle for the Grizzlies, the NCAA Division I-AA runner-up last

season.

Brinkley said the prospect of playing before overflow crowds at

Montana’s 18,848-seat Washington Griz Stadium was a strong selling point

for Saenz, who was not seriously recruited by other schools.

With Saenz in the middle of the defense, Harbor made back-to-back

appearances in the CIF Division VI title game, including a 13-0-1

championship run in 1999. The 24 wins the Tars accumulated during his

time as a varsity stater, are a school record for consecutive seasons.

In other recruiting news: Orange Coast College defensive back Johnnie

Peeples, an All-Mission Conference selection, has also committed to

Montana.

Also, backup quarterback and wide receiver Justin Simons signed with

Texas A&M; at Commerce, Texas, a Division II school in the Lone Star South

Conference.

Defensive tackle Tony Wagner has committed to Cal Lutheran and wide

receiver Anthony Valanos agreed to continue his career at the University

of San Diego.

OCC football Coach Mike Taylor said West Virginia has shown interest

in linebacker Dustin Davis and strong safety Manny Adams. They may sign

at West Virginia by the end of next week, Taylor said.

Davis is also considering UC Davis.