Bates sets some official visits!

The fine true athlete from De La Salle High School in California - Jackie Bates has had a temporary setback for this season - his senior year, but it won’t affect what the schools to offer him a full-ride scholarship have done. “I have actually been hurt,” the premier two-way player said. "It is not serious.“ It is obvious the injury is a non-issue with the teams he is setting up official visits.

“No, not all,” the 5-foot-10, 185-pound speedster said. “They (teams to offer him) don’t care if I play a down this year.” His injury is to one of his feet and he might have to have a pin inserted during the healing process, which could take until after the season. “I might miss the whole year.” Total recovery is a 100 percent certainty. There is no ligament damage at all.

The teams are “just about all the Pac-10” and Colorado to offer him. Actually, the Pac-10 Conference teams to offer him are Oregon, California, Oregon State, Arizona, Arizona State and Washington - plus Big 12 Conference school - Colorado.

“Oregon and California are my top two”, but he is also planning to visit Oregon State, Arizona, Arizona State and Washington before making his final decision. The California visit will be unofficial, as it is very close to his home….and he has been there many times previously. Cal-Berkeley might have a “slight” lead over Oregon, but “I have not been to Oregon (ever).”

The visit to Eugene is high on his mind for many reasons.

“Actually, I am excited to see Oregon,” he said. “I want to see things there. I have a friend there. Demetrius Williams (current wide receiver at UO and former teammate at De La Salle) will probably be my tour guide there.”

Williams has told him how he feels about Oregon.

“He loves it,” he said. “He talks about it all the time. He just loves it up there.”

Back to the official visits: “I’m supposed to visit Oregon on Jan. 9. I’m going to try to visit Oregon State on Jan. 24. I don’t remember Arizona State - I am supposed to visit there too.”

His mother “likes Cal…she is from Berkeley, but she is going to support my decision.”

He had a chance to view some of the loss by Oregon to Washington State and made the following brief comments about the game.

“Oregon offered me early. I think they came off a big week the week before.” That game has no bearing on how he feels about Oregon.

So what will be his deciding factor?

“I really don’t know….I’m going to have to like the area. Playing time will be important. People have told me that you will get that feeling - you will know.”

He should know sometime in January.

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