Cliff Kirkpatrick

Oregon State RB Jacquizz Rodgers said he had a great time at the 43rd annual Walter Camp Awards ceremony at Yale last weekend.

“I had a fantastic time,” Rodgers said in a press release. “Everything was first class.”

Rodgers left Thursday morning for New Haven, Conn. There was a dinner reception Friday and a black tie awards ceremony Saturday.

He visited the ESPN campus with Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska. Quizz met with several ESPN personalities including Chris Berman, Keyshawn Johnson, Cris Carter, John Anderson and more. He was a guest of Mel Kiper Jr., on ESPN Radio on Saturday.

During the awards ceremony Rodgers was recognized as a 2009 Camp second-team All-American. 

“It was special to meet so many people who I watch on television during the year, and some of my past NFL heroes,” Rodgers said. “I hope I have the opportunity to attend again in the future.”

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Oregon State RB Jacquizz Rodgers will be part of the 43rd annual Walter Camp Foundation Awards ceremony on Jan. 14-16 at Yale.

Rodgers was a second-team Walter Camp All-American. He rushed for 1,440 yards and a school-record 21 TDs, and accounted for 1,962 total yards and 22 TDs.

The Camp Foundation Awards ceremony also includes John Elway, Tony Dorsett, and Lincoln Kennedy. Elway will receive the organization’s Man of the Year Award and ABC News’ Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts will receive the Distinguished American Award. The 2009 All-America teams will also be formally introduced.

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Check out the above video of Oregon State football coach Mike Riley talking about the Las Vegas Bowl and BYU. The below video is of CB James Dockery.

Here are the main notes to come out of his Tuesday press conference. More may follow later as I get more info.

DT Stephen Paea won the defensive portion of the Morris Trophy. It goes to the best offensive and defensive lineman in the Pacific-10 Conference.

Riley clarified his greyshirt situation that he mentioned yesterday. He expects four to arrive in January and possibly one in April. The one who is being pushed back until next season due to grades is DE Josh Kaiwi.

There’s another player he wouldn’t name who has some work to do, but hopes he’s ready for April. That would be LB Michael Doctor or WR Reggie Dunn.

So, OL Michael Beaton, WR Kevin Cummings and WR Obum Gwacham are confirmed for January.

Riley says his staff is intact for next season – at the moment. That’s the big part. He said a headhunter for UNLV contacted defensive coordinator Mark Banker, but Banker said it’s only a rumor.

Riley said he’ll pitch his graduate assistants and undergrad assistants for full-time jobs to new Portland State coach and former OSU assistant Nigel Burton. Candidates would be Ryan Gunderson, Daniel Drayton and Alan Darlin.

Word is spreading about the TCU game add and Eastern Washington drop for next season. Here’s Riley’s thoughts on the game.

“I rather play a game like this,” Riley said. “For the kids, it’s a lifetime memory. I hope it works out. If it doesn’t we’ll be happy with what it is. But it sounds more real than ever. I’m excited about the opportunity if it does workout. It’s a tremendous venue and team.”

On a side note, OG Gregg Peat wanted to clarify something he told me yesterday. He’s not invited to the Shrine Game, yet. He’s looking into it still.

True freshman S Jordan Poyer is being worked in as an emergency CB now that Tim Clark (leg) is out. Dockery, Brandon Hardin are the starters for the game. Patrick Henderson is the No. 3 CB, then Hardin.

UPDATE: WR James Rodgers was named second-team AP All-American as an all-purose players. RB Jacquizz Rodgers was named third-team.

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