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Romines Wins Rare Praise for Freshman : CSUN football: Wide receiver from Simi Valley earns roster spot and has a chance to be a starter.

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TIMES STAFF WRITER

It takes a lot to impress Bob Burt, and it is nearly impossible for a freshman football player to draw even grudging praise from the Cal State Northridge coach.

Burt rarely uses first-year players and seldom raves about any player, regardless of experience.

But wide receiver David Romines, a freshman from Simi Valley High, would appear to be the exception.

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“He’s got some magic,” Burt said. “He really does.”

Through one week of two-a-day practices, Romines is contending for a berth in the four-man wide-receiver rotation and has earned the opportunity to return punts. Romines even has a legitimate chance to start.

“In any program that has decent quality . . . for a freshman to come in and play is almost impossible,” Burt said. “The exception is the skill positions. Romines has a lot of ability.”

The sure-handed Romines is particularly effective after he catches the ball.

“He has speed and quickness,” Burt said. “He has the physical tools equal to the people he’s competing with.”

While Romines works to blend in on the field, his youthful appearance and diminutive stature (5-foot-8, 155 pounds) make him stand out at mealtime when he squeezes onto a cafeteria bench beside hulking offensive linemen and 25-year-old defensive tackles.

Romines, who celebrates his 18th birthday today, said he already fits in.

“I feel like I’m part of this team,” he said. “Like I won’t be left out.”

Romines was passed over by NCAA Division I recruiters despite catching 48 passes for 1,070 yards and 11 touchdowns in his senior season at Simi Valley. He also intercepted 10 passes.

Major-college recruiters liked his speed (4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash), but his size scared them off. And until Burt stepped in with an offer, Romines was headed for junior college.

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“I am pleased,” Romines said. “I wanted to make an impact. I feel I am a quick learner and I have the ability to make things happen.”

Burt also has been impressed with freshman James Woods, a cornerback from San Fernando High. Woods, a Times All-Valley selection last fall, is trying to follow in the footsteps of cornerback Vincent Johnson, a 1991 graduate from Cleveland High who became the only freshman starter on the 1991 CSUN team.

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