UO Adds JC Receiver to ’09 Recruiting Class

EUGENE, Ore. -- Oregon's 2009 signing class grew by one Monday with the addition of junior college wide receiver Lavasier Tuinei.

The 6-6 product from Arcadia, Ind., by way of Golden West College (Calif.), signed a Grant-In-Aid (GIA) letter to attend UO starting next quarter and is scheduled to join the Ducks in time for spring practice.

Tuinei, like quarterback Jeremiah Masoli was in 2008, was a full qualifier out of high school and heads to Eugene after only one season in the JUCO ranks, giving him four years to play three.

UO's recruiting class now stands at 25: 20 prep and five junior college student-athletes.

Tuinei, Lavasier – 6-5, 200, Arcadia, Ind. (Hamilton Heights HS/Golden West C.C. (Calif.))

Tallied 41 catches for 680 yards and three touchdowns in his first and only season at Golden West … Garnered three stars from Rivals.com and was ranked as the No. 8 JC receiver in the nation by JCGridiron … Teammate of fellow Oregon recruit Andrew Iupati at Golden West … Lined up at WR and FS for head coach Kurt Trout in a running offense for Hamilton Heights HS of the Mid-Indiana League … His first action of the season at Hamilton Heights (enrollment 745) came in the 3A semifinal against Rushville where Tuinei caught seven passes for 100 yards in a 20-19 win … Caught one ball for 21 yards in a 13-10 loss in the sectional championship game … Wore No. 85 in HS, No. 7 at Golden West … Also played basketball in high school … Transferred from Noblesville (Ind.) HS after his junior season.