Under the radar: 2019 Oregon OL Sam Telesa
Following a season in which the top ten players from the state of Oregon all signed with Power Five schools (9 in the Pac-12), the most prolific recruiting class ever for the state, the 2019 class is somewhat lesser known.
There are the top two elite prospects with Patrick Herbert and Michael Johnson, Jr., and after that there are a lot of questions.
Despite treading the depths of some unknowns, the Duck staff is not giving up on anyone outside of those top two – and are in contact with several other potential targets within the state. One of those, offensive lineman Sam Telesa.
Though he has just one offer at the moment, the 6-3, 295-pound offensive lineman has seen interest start to pick up following the first signing date. WE caught up with Telesa this weekend to get this exclusive update on his recruiting.
While no offer has been made to Telesa, he has had plenty of contact with graduate assistant Cody Woodiel and some with Mario Cristobal. “Oregon is recruiting me at this point, coach Woodiel and I have sat and talked about the recruiting process and they are hoping to see me in green and yellow one day,” Telesa began.
“Coach Cristobal and Woodiel started recruiting me back in September,” Telesa said. “Coach Woodiel explained that Oregon is looking for the right center since they haven't offered any in my class,” he continued. “It seems promising to stay the course and keep working to earn an offer.”
“But coach Rolovich at Hawaii has also contacted me and I have sat down with coach Banker at Hawaii to discuss the recruiting process as well,” Telesa told Duck Sports Authority. “Coach Rolovich is a really cool guy. I met him when I was younger watching my cousins at the JPS exposure camps when I was in middle school back home,” Telesa said.
Where does the Oregon staff see Telesa’s future? “I have also spoken with coach Cristobal multiple times before he was the head coach, and was the OL coach,” Telesa said. “He explained that their center [Jake Hanson] once the 2019 class has entered will have the option to graduate or play since he will be a redshirt senior,” Telesa continued.
Two things which will not be an issue for Telesa are character and academics. He has an impressive list of accolades to his name including being named second team all-state center in consecutive years, three time academic all-league and multiple nominations for student athlete of the month. His transcript is even more impressive with a current GPA of 4.0 and a core GPA of 3.8 cumulative.
DSA Reaction: After taking five offensive linemen in the 2018 class – and four more the prior year, this will be a year in which the numbers don’t likely include five more OL. There is a lot of talent along the offensive line group, but Mario Cristobal also wants to continue to add players to both the offensive and defensive line.
Telesa is starting to see an increase in interest from other schools, but will really need to impress the staff during the spring and summer camp circuit if they are going to offer the in-state prospect. He has some potential, but also needs to refine his technique and improve his strength. If, however, the Ducks are looking for a player designated as a center, Telesa will be one of the higher rated center prospects in the nation and could be theirs for the taking.