Beavers land good one
The Oregon State picked up an outstanding football player who will be able to help the Beavers in a variety of ways in quarterback/safety Nate Johns (6-1, 180, 4.5) from Redlands (Calif.) East Valley. The Beavers as a staff are very good talent evaluators and have picked a good one in Johns.
“Nate plays quarterback and safety for us,” East Valley head coach Kirk Bruich said. “He can do just about anything on the field.”
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Quarterback and safety isn’t the position that Johns excels at. He’s also an outstanding kick returner and has already a 99-yard kickoff return on his resume for the season of 2003.
Johns is your old-fashioned double threat as a quarterback. So far in 2003 Johns has led East Valley to a 2-0 record while throwing for 222 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 255 yards and five rushing touchdowns.
Johns was an all-league and all-county selection as a junior after passing for 1,565 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also added 1,228 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground in 2002.
If Johns continues his torrid pace he will again pass and run for over 1,000 yards.
Johns has a great bench for his size of 280 pounds, he also cleans 300 and has recorded a 32-inch vertical.
Oregon State wins the services of Johns over other interest from Colorado State, Utah, and San Diego State.
“Nate is an impact player who can change a game,” Bruich said. “Oregon State will be pleased.”