Oregon Defensive Tackle Signs w/ TJC - hopes to come to SMU

[MrMustang1965]

By Dani Birky

Student Intern

East Linn Christian Academy student and Sweet Home High School (Sweet Home, Oregon) football player Kyle Jensen has signed a letter of intent to play football at Tyler Community College in Texas, with the hopes of moving on to Southern Methodist University.

Jensen, 18, a 6-5, 315-pound defensive tackle, was named an all-Capital Conference and All-State first teamer last fall after the Huskies' run to the 3A semifinals.

"Kyle is an outstanding young man, with great character and strong morals," said Sweet Home football coach Rob Younger. "[He is] one of the most improved players on last year's team."

"[He] has a good work ethic, and is a great team player."

Jensen said it was family ties that drew him to Texas.

"I have an uncle in Texas and he wanted to send my tape to Southern Methodist University, because my cousin plays there," he said. SMU sent the tape to Tyler, which acts as a feeder program for SMU. Kansas was also interested in recruiting Jensen, but he said he had his eyes set on Texas.

Jensen said he is aiming for a business degree in college.

Though he attends East Linn in Lebanon, Jensen was able to play for Sweet Home because East Linn does not have a football team. Younger said the arrangement involved some complications and required some extra effort on Jensen's part.

"Kyle made the commitment to our football program and this made the sacrifices necessary," he said. "[Kyle was] present at all the team meetings and practices."

Younger said Jensen's football career can only go up from here.

"Kyle's best football is in front of him," he said.l "He will continue to develop into a major college football player."

Jensen said he was welcomed by his Sweet Home teammates, even though he attended another school.

"The guys in Sweet Home were really (accepting) and fun to be around," he said.

http://www.sweethomenews.com/news/story ... ry_no=4627

[Buddha]

I wonder who his cousin is?
Somewhere BUS is pouring himself a cold drink.

[BUS]

Heck yes. I do not think at 315 this guy is fat or Bennett would not want him.

Well now, let me think.... even ifhe is fat-ish but still is quick and strong, I bet Bennett would want him.

I can't be ALL about size - you have to know what your doing.

[Corso]

Do we even know if Coach Bennett wants him? Maybe it's a case where the player wants the school, but the school's interest remains unclear.

I admit, you have to like the dimensions, though.

[huntnfish]

TJC feeder to SMU? that's funny

if he was that great he would not be headed to TJC but would have signed w/ Div IA

we don't need any out of state players from Oregon, there are plenty of good footbal players in Texas

[Dooby]

Unless he didn't qualify.

[jtstang]

we don't need any out of state players from Oregon, there are plenty of good footbal players in Texas

True--why can't we land any of them?

[ponyboy]

Really, jt, how many times can you beat that drum of yours? You've done little but denigrate this team since you came onto this "sunshine" board. Be a fan or go the hell away.

[jtstang]

Really, jt, how many times can you beat that drum of yours? You've done little but denigrate this team since you came onto this "sunshine" board. Be a fan or go the hell away.

I am a fan, so shut the hell up. The team's accomplishments speak for themselves. If you disagree with what I said, name the top tier Texas players we've landed and describe how they've contributed to our recent successes.

[Dooby]

Really, jt, how many times can you beat that drum of yours? You've done little but denigrate this team since you came onto this "sunshine" board. Be a fan or go the hell away.

If this place is retaken by the sunshiners, I am out of here, too. The contrast between the two boards was at times startling.

[RGV Pony]

nm

[RGV Pony]

nm

[RGV Pony]

Two points. One, if the kid's going to TJC and SMU wants him, we need to get Eckert to work on him. Two, no sunshiner here, but not a negative ned either. I promise you'll hear more [deleted] once fall runs around, though.

[Stallion]

As usual Ponyboy and his troup of sunshiners will likely be a pain in the [deleted] until October when they crawl into hibernation and beg for patience. The farther from each losing season we get the cockier these genuises will be until about October 1 when a big dose of reality slaps them in their face. It happens every damn year. They are never accountable for what they say and are likely to change nicknames every other year.

[No Quarter]

Stallion.

This is about the first time I've seen a prospect named and you, or another, did not quote the Rivals line. Does that mean he's not listed at all?

And I have a lot more questions. Did he get any encouragement from the SMU coaches? How does Oregon 3A compare enrollment wise with Texas 3A? WHO is that cousin? Did he have another sport besides football? Even, is someone mixing SMU with Mississippi Southern again? Are there top 100 lists published by newspapers of Oregon players and where did he rank?

I hope this kid is some kind of a sleeper although there is no reak reason to expect much at ths point. The quoted report has lots of clues that the writer knows very little about football in the southwest or SMU. I certainly agree that with nothing except a weight and height, no forty times or lift information, that we know nothing except he is apparently a big kid. Still, I'm curious and would like to know more and hope someone will take the time to find out.

In a very small way, I am reminded of that UT quarterback some years back now, who transferred from Fort Davis to Fort Stockton (or vice versa) to play in a larger, more visible program. What was his name?

Altogether, I also wish this kid well. It sounds like he'll need every bit of the determination he has shown so far to find a way to play ball if he is to get through Tyler and matriculate at SMU. I would like to see a lot of volunteer players come to SMU, although I know the expense is a big factor and that few walk-ons make it. I don't cae if they come from Texas or Polynesia. Whether or not he contributes to the football program I see no reason to attack him or people who, when all is said and done, encourage him.