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Yes, Dennis Erickson is certainly working some magic in Corvallis, last season leading the Beavers to their first winning record (7-5) since 1970 ... and now he's backing it up by flexing his recruiting muscles.

Oregon State recently landed one of the nation's top quarterback prospects in Derek Anderson from Scappoose, Ore. Anderson spurned offers from Florida State, UCLA, Oregon, Washington and Washington State.

Last season, Anderson (6-feet-6, 225 pounds) threw for 2,450 yards and 25 touchdowns, with only seven interceptions, leading a four-wide receiver offense that is similar in style to the one Erickson uses at Oregon State.

Erickson didn't stop there. Oregon State hauled in a player who many consider to be the best defensive lineman in the Beaver State -- Bill Swanncutt from Sprague High School in Salem. The Beavers also picked up a commitment from Jason Fyda, a defensive lineman/offensive lineman from Norco, Calif. Fyda's stock was on the rise after strong summer camp performances.

Erickson has always been a player's coach and has won wherever he has been on the collegiate level, including a couple of national championships with Miami. Kids want to be part of that kind of success. At Oregon State, Erickson has continued the good work that San Diego Chargers head coach Mike Riley started when he took over the Beaver program.

There was a time when Oregon State and its neighbor Oregon would have to wait until Pac-10 powerhouses USC, UCLA and Washington selected the best West Coast football talent ... and then the Ducks and Beavers (and everyone else) would scramble for the scraps.

But both of those schools were able to win key recruiting battles from the Big Three during last season's recruiting battles, and that trend is continuing in the wide-open Pac-10.

Oregon has been a consistent winner, and will continue to be if is keeps landing prospects such as quarterback Kellen Clemens from Burns, Ore. Clemens recently picked the Ducks over Washington and UCLA. Arizona State, Kansas, Washington State and Kentucky were also recruiting Clemens hard.

Both quarterbacks are among SportsLine.com/PrepStar's preseason list of the top 15 quarterbacks in the nation.

While the Oregon schools have already locked up a star quarterback, there is a third prep QB from the state that is on almost everyone's wish list (although he's listed at only 5-foot-11). That would be Nic Costa of Aloha High in Beaverton.

Costa said that the commitment of Clemens to Oregon and Anderson to Oregon State has probably eliminated those schools from his consideration.

"A number of Pac-10 schools are still interested," Costa said. "I am not opposed to leaving the Pacific Coast, either. All I want is a chance to play quarterback."

Costa is probably the fastest quarterback in the country, running the 40-yard dash in less than 4.3 seconds. Even though Costa has been timed at 10.3 seconds in the 100-meter dash, his coach, Rob Castile said, "Nick is an even better passer than a runner."

Washington State, Arizona, UCLA and Washington are the Pac-10 schools still the hunt, with more schools across the country sure to join the chase for the talented Mr. Costa.

CBS Sportsline Top Recruits - 7/7/00
Bobby Burton's Rivals100.com - 7/17/00