SEATTLE -- Jonathan Stewart, regarded by many as the top high school running back in the country, announced during a live telecast Friday at KING television studios that he will sign with the University of Oregon.
And his expectations are anything but modest.
"I'm going to try to go in there and strap it up and have an Adrian Peterson year," Stewart said.
Peterson, the consensus top-rated high school running back in his senior season, became a Heisman Trophy candidate as a freshman at Oklahoma. The 5-foot-10, 220-pound Stewart said he knows he faces tough competition for playing time at Oregon, but he has high expectations: "I expect to play next year."
Stewart plans to sign Feb. 2, the first day high school players can sign letters of intent with colleges.
Stewart, a four-year varsity player at Timberline High School in Lacey, set a Washington high school record with 7,755 career rushing yards, breaking the former record by 1,600 yards. He scored 95 touchdowns in his career, and last season he rushed for 2,301 yards and 32 touchdowns.
Providing Stewart doesn't change his mind, his signing will mark the fourth consecutive year Oregon will have landed a player regarded by Rivals.com as one of the top two in the nation at his position.
In 2002, the Ducks signed Haloti Ngata of Salt Lake City, who was ranked as the top defensive tackle and the No. 2 prospect overall.
In 2003, Oregon landed four-star quarterback Dennis Dixon from San Leandro, Calif., rated as the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in the nation and No. 57 overall.
Last year, Oregon signed Cameron Colvin of Pittsburg, Calif., regarded as the No. 2 wide receiver in the country and No. 17 overall. Terrell Jackson of Moreno Valley, Calif., the No. 2 all-purpose running back in 2004, also signed with UO.
Recruiters began taking notice of Stewart his freshman season, when he rushed for 1,270 yards. One such recruiter was Oregon running backs coach Gary Campbell, whom Stewart said he met at an Oregon football camp. Stewart said his three-year relationship with Campbell was instrumental in his final decision.
Stewart narrowed his choices last week to Oregon and Washington State.
On Thursday, Campbell and a Washington State recruiter were at Timberline to make final pitches.
A major factor in Stewart's decision was to stay close to his mother, Lora Faison.
At her son's announcement, Faison said she was glad the recruiting process was over.
"It's been a little crazy," she said.
Oregon already has Terrence Whitehead, coming off his junior season, and redshirt freshman Jackson in its backfield. Sophomore Chris Vincent also is expected to return.
Top recruit announces his choice: the Ducks
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