Barnett, Debowski, Assily sign on with programs

Orange Coast College wide receiver Nathan Barnett has committed to play for West Texas A&M.; He, along with quarterback Chris Debowski and defensive back Chris Assily join linebacker Shaun Mohler (Colorado), defensive back Chris Holmesly (Idaho State) and linebacker Matt Harris (Montana State) as those who have made commitments to continue their football career, OCC Coach Mike Taylor recently announced.

Mohler, a former Corona del Mar High standout, as well as Holmesly and Harris, made their announcements earlier in the year.

Barnett, a 5-foot-9, 180-pounder from Dana Hills High, led the Pirates with 34 receptions for 394 yards and two touchdowns last year. He earned first-team All-Mission Conference honors as a kick returner after he led the conference with 601 return yards and averaged 27.3 yards per attempt. As a freshman, Barnett had 14 receptions for 179 yards and two touchdowns and again earned first-team, All-Mission Conference honors with 14 kickoff returns for 459 yards and two touchdowns.

Assily played for the Pirates in 2005 and 2006 and amassed 95 tackles and eight interceptions over his two-year career. Originally slated to play for San Jose State, the 2006-07 OCC Male Athlete of the Year decided to make the change to attend University of Alabama-Birmingham. Assily earned all-conference, All-Southern California Region IV and All-American honors following his sophomore season. He was also the Bill Jenkins Memorial Award winner as well as the Hitter of the Year in 2006 for the Pirates.

Debowski, a 6-foot, 200-pounder from Fountain Valley High, will play for Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. He returned to the starting lineup early in the season last year and racked up 746 passing yards and five touchdowns on 66-of-136 passing. As a freshman, he started for the Pirates in the U.S. Bank Beach Bowl against Mt. San Antonio and threw for 185 yards and two touchdowns. Debowski and teammate Shad Baichtal were named the Mike Musso Jr. Most Inspirational players for the Pirates in 2007.

OCC running back Andrew Banks (310 carries, 1,172 yards, 10 TDs) will walk on next year at the University of Oregon and offensive lineman Junior Taormina will walk on at Oklahoma State next year, according to Taylor.

— From staff reports