Singler opts for preferred walk-on spot at OSU

PREP FOOTBALL

Singler opts for preferred walk-on spot at OSU

South Medford senior receiver Mitch Singler will likely redshirt his freshman season

By Tim Trower

Mail Tribune
April 19, 2009

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Mitch Singler wanted to follow in his dad's footsteps, and now he'll get the chance.

The South Medford senior has elected to attend Oregon State as a preferred walk-on to its football program. Singler, a wide receiver, took his recruiting visit last Friday and soon after chose the Beavers over Oregon and Linfield.

Singler's dad, Bill, the Panthers' head coach, was a wide receiver in the Pac-10 Conference at Stanford and later coached for a couple years at Oregon State.

"My dad did it, and I always wanted to become like my dad and even become better," Mitch Singler said between races at the Crater Rotary Track and Field Classic Saturday.

"Oregon State just felt right," he added. "I used to live there and my dad coached there. We know the coaching staff really well, and they welcomed me with open arms. What it came down to is, where do I want to spend the next four or five years of my life, and Oregon State is the place to do that."

As a preferred walk-on, Singler will attend summer school in Corvallis and work out with the team. The program reserves the "preferred" status for four players.

Singler was a first-team all-state selection last fall after helping South Medford to the Class 6A state quarterfinals.

He had 42 catches for 983 yards — a whopping 23.4 yards per reception — and 10 touchdowns.

For his career, Singler had 137 receptions for 2,785 yards and 31 touchdowns.

Singler plans to redshirt his freshman season.

"I'll be a scout-team guy," he said. "That'll be my first role. My sophomore year, I'll be in focus with the team and hopefully be the second- or third-team receiver. Then I'll work my way up from there.

"I like to work hard, and I want to get better. I want to bring that to Oregon State and show them I'm ready for the Division I level."

Singler's uncle, Ed, played quarterback for the Beavers from 1979-1982.

Reach sports editor Tim Trower at 776-4479, or e-mail ttrower@mailtribune.com

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