J.R. Hasty.. (son of James )

[Joe Seahawk]

Commits to UW.. I've been watching this kid all year, he's going to be a great one.. Best High school back I've ever seen in person, and I've seen Corey Dillon (Franklin) and Greg Lewis (ingraham) among others.. This kid already looks like an NFL back..

"They were real happy -- Coach Willingham was real excited," Hasty told realdawg.com. "I feel real good about the direction that this program is going. I don't care what anyone says, this program is going to turn around and we're going to get it done."

Hasty's decision apparently was between the UW and Penn State. Nittany Lions coach Joe Paterno visited the Hasty home Thursday night.

The 5-foot-10, 200-pound running back said he is honored he was recruited by the legendary Penn State coach. "It was such a great thing and it was great to get to know him," Hasty said.



Hasty, the P-I's Offensive Player of the Year player and The Associated Press state high school football player of the year, was named offensive player of the year on the PrepNation 101 All-America Team.

He led Bellevue to its fourth consecutive Class 3A state championship. He had 2,519 yards rushing, fifth all-time in state history, and a state-record 50 touchdowns.

He rushed for 271 yards and four touchdowns in a season-opening victory over De La Salle of Concord, Calif., which ended De La Salle's record 151-game winning streak.

Hasty rushed for more than 300 yards in three games, including 318 yards and six touchdowns in a showdown with the state's all-time rushing leader, Jonathan Stewart of Timberline, in the state quarterfinals.