Fien Considers Spurning Texas for UCLA

Royal High quarterback Ryan Fien met with UCLA Coach Terry Donahue for two hours Friday and said that he might recant the oral commitment he gave to Texas on Jan. 20 and sign a letter of intent with the Bruins.

Donahue met with Fien after UCLA quarterback Tommy Maddox announced Friday that he would make himself available for this year’s NFL draft, giving up his final two years of college eligibility.

“I’m still a Longhorn as far as I’m concerned,” Fien said. “But UCLA provides such a good opportunity, and playing close to home is hard to pass up.”

Fien, the Southern Section Division II player of the year last season, said that he will give Donahue his decision Sunday evening. Although Fien gave Texas an oral commitment, he is not bound to a school until he signs a letter of intent. The first day of the signing period is Feb. 5.

“The meeting definitely opened my eyes,” said Fien, who visited UCLA on Jan. 10. “UCLA has great players, great recruits, and a great quarterback coach.”

Fien, 17, told Texas that he would accept a scholarship offer after he visited the campus in Austin, Tex., Jan. 18-20. Fien was arrested as a minor in possession of alcohol in an Austin bar during his visit but said that the incident will not play a role in his decision.

“(Court officials) have pretty much told me the charges are going to be dropped, so it doesn’t really matter,” he said.

Fien said that several schools have remained in contact with him since he gave Texas an oral commitment, including Michigan State, Washington State and UCLA. Fien said Donahue told him that he would have an opportunity to play as a freshman.

“I’m so stressed,” Fien said. “I just need to get myself away from coaches and parents and see what’s best for me. I’ll call Coach Donahue on Sunday to tell him that I’ll either attend UCLA, Texas, or that I need more time to think about it.”

Two quarterbacks remain in UCLA’s program. Wayne Cook, a sophomore from Newbury Park, took fewer than a dozen snaps last season and did not throw a pass. Rob Walker, a freshman from Austin, was a redshirt last season. The Bruins have received an oral commitment from Scott Fitterer of Kennedy High in Seattle.

Donahue was unavailable for comment. NCAA rules prohibit coaches from talking about a recruit until a letter of intent has been received.

Fien, The Times’ Ventura County back of the year last season, passed for 1,720 yards and 23 touchdowns in leading the Highlanders to a 10-1 record.