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Trio of prep stars sign with college programs

Badolato-Birdsell, Blair and Meek make choices official

By Tim Martinez, Columbian Assistant Sports Editor
Published: December 16, 2020, 6:57pm
2 Photos
Camas' Jacques Badolato-Birdsell (2) runs in a 48-yard touchdown during SaturdayÕs Class 4A state championship game against Bothell at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma on Dec. 7, 2019.
Camas' Jacques Badolato-Birdsell (2) runs in a 48-yard touchdown during SaturdayÕs Class 4A state championship game against Bothell at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma on Dec. 7, 2019. (Alisha Jucevic/The Columbian) Photo Gallery

Three Clark County high school football players made their college choices official Wednesday, signing letters of intent on the first day of the early signing period.

Two of the players play in the same backfield at Camas High School — running back Jacques Badolato-Birdsell and quarterback Jake Blair.

Badolato-Birdsell, a 5-foot-11, 200-pounder, signed with the University of Nevada. He was one of two running backs signed by the Wolfpack, along with Ty Collins for North Forney, Texas.

“Both are really athletic,” Nevada coach Jay Norvell said. “Both are really explosive. They’re downhill runners. We’re excited they’re in the mold of a Nevada back. That’s what we’re looking for. … It’s really important that we get some good young backs in our program that can play the style that we want to play.”

Badolato-Birdsell was a 4A all-state player last season for Camas, rushing for 1,559 yards and 29 touchdowns in helping the Papermakers win the 4A state championships.

Blair was other Papermaker to sign, accepting an offer as a preferred walk-on from Oregon State.

Blair passed for 1,136 yards and 15 touchdowns in eight games in 2019 before suffering a season-ending knee injury.

Now fully healed, Blair will be following a familiar path from Camas to Corvallis. Jack Colletto, a former standout quarterback for Camas, is a linebacker on the Oregon State defense. And Camas alum Caleb Lightbourn was the Beavers’ primary punter this fall.

“We’ve had success with players from Camas,” Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith said. “(Blair) knows the Colletto family well, and I feel like Jake will be a nice addition here throwing the ball for us.”

Also, Ridgefield’s Bailey Meek tweeted out that he signed with Army.

Meek is a 6-5, 255-pound defensive lineman was the Trico League defensive player of the year in 2019 playing for King’s Way Christian. He also was a first-team pick on the Associated Press all-state team for Class 1A. He transferred to Ridgefield for his senior year.

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