OSU football: Fresno running back commits to the Beavers

The Oregon State football team picked up a verbal commitment from running back Chris Brown out of San Joaquin Memorial High in Fresno, Calif., on Monday.

He's a 5-foot-11, 200-pound, three-star athlete, according to Rivals.com. There were 15 scholarship offers with seven from the Pacific-12 Conference, including Oregon.

Rivals ranks him the No. 21 back in the country and 45th player out of California.

Brown rushed for 1,884 yards and 21 touchdowns during the last regular season, according to Maxpreps.com.

"Oregon State is getting a complete person," San Joaquin Memorial coach Anthony Goston said. "He does well in the classroom and is humble. On the field he's wonderful. He's broken every rushing record we have."

Brown gained more than 1,000 yards the last three years and has more than 5,000 career yards and 68 touchdowns, Goston said.

"I think he can excel at the next level," Goston said. "Ever since he stepped on the varsity for us as a sophomore it was one excellent season after another."

This is a curious commitment for the Beavers. Coach Mike Riley said he's looking for linebackers and some defensive backs between now and signing day on Feb. 1, but left it open to take any top athlete at any position.

Brown fits the top athlete category, but he comes at a crowded position. There are two freshmen and one junior who just completed a season with various - but not outstanding - success.

Riley said it's an open competition in the spring for a starter or to be in the committee of ball carriers, and he is looking forward to see redshirt freshman Storm Woods enter the competition.

Can Brown step in to play as a true freshman? He's also a kickoff returner.

"Many teams didn't kick to him, but he got some big returns when they did," Goston said. "He's just another weapon there."

Brown is the 16th verbal commitment of the 2012 class and first running back. The Beavers ! are targ eting about 20 players.