Lake City’s York picks Oregon

After seven Pacific-10 Conference schools made visits to Coeur d’Alene in the last two weeks, Lake City junior offensive lineman Carson York picked Eugene, Ore., as his future college home.

The 6-foot-5, 280-pound York gave an oral commitment Saturday to the University of Oregon. He announced his decision Tuesday. He will sign a letter of intent during the early football signing period in November.

York, who has a 3.95 grade-point average, visited four other Pac-10 schools – Washington State, Oregon State, Washington and Stanford – and Idaho. He received offers from seven Pac-10 schools, including California and Arizona State, and Northwestern and Idaho.

He narrowed his choices to Oregon, Stanford and California.

“It’s always where I wanted to be,” York said of Oregon. “I wanted to stay close to home and play at a good school where I could get a good education. Oregon is a place I would have gone to school even if I didn’t play football. It’s tough to turn down places like Stanford and Cal, where the education is world-class. But I just couldn’t see myself at anywhere else other than Oregon.”

York started at right tackle last fall for the State 5A semifinalist Timberwolves. He was second team on The Spokesman-Review’s All-North Idaho team and the All-Inland Empire League team.

He ended the season at 260 pounds and has added 20 pounds the past five months, mostly by increasing his strength in the weight room.

LC coach Van Troxel said York’s size was what attracted the Pac-10 schools.

“The No. 1 thing is he fits the profile,” Troxel said. “You’ve either got to have a size profile or a speed profile to be recruited by those people. The size profile is you’ve got to be 6-5 and 260 plus. Carson’s 6-5 and 280. On top of that he’s a 3.95 student.”

York isn’t done growing, Troxel said.

“He doesn’t turn 17 until August. He’s just a baby,” Troxel said. “He’s going to get bigger and stronger and better. Most of the guys who are recruited aren’t (physically) mature until they’re 20. In three years, Carson’s going to be a horse. I’m excited for him. He’s got a great upside.”