Lineman of the Year Stuart Says He Will Attend UCLA

Three high school football standouts from the region on Monday committed to play next season at NCAA Division I schools.

Shawn Stuart, an offensive lineman from Saugus High, said he will attend UCLA. Thousand Oaks offensive lineman Eric Benson will play at Fresno State, and Crespi kicker Bach Stabile will play at Hawaii.

Players may sign letters of intent Feb. 3, the first day of the NCAA’s weeklong signing period.

Stuart, a 6-foot-4, 280-pound center, was a Cal-Hi Sports all-state selection. Stuart also was named the The Times’ Valley Lineman of the Year on Sunday. He also took recruiting trips to Washington and Cal.

“I felt comfortable at UCLA,” Stuart said. “UCLA is a very good school academically and I really like Coach (Terry) Donahue.”

Benson was voted the Marmonte League offensive lineman of the year.

Benson (6-2 1/2, 266) said he reached a decision after making a visit to Fresno over the weekend. He also was being recruited by Utah and had made a recruiting visit to Kentucky.

“They have a winning tradition and I liked the coaching staff,” Benson said. “I don’t know, I just liked the people up there. It’s kind of quiet, so I can get my studies in order.”

Benson played guard for three varsity seasons for Thousand Oaks, which last won the league title in 1990. The Lancers (4-5-1 overall) finished fifth last season with a 4-3 mark and missed qualifying for the Southern Section playoffs.

Crespi’s Stabile (6-1, 160) accepted a scholarship offer from Hawaii. Stabile, an All-Southern Section Division I selection, made six of 12 field-goal attempts and 22 of 24 point-after attempts.

Stabile’s kickoffs reached the end zone 35 times in 42 attempts. He also was being recruited by Washington State.