Eight members of the Linfield football team's incoming class of freshmen hail from northern Oregon. All have been accepted to the university and paid their matriculation fee.
 
Twin brothers Carter and Connor Darby come from Gresham, Jack Franzen and Will French are from Portland, Nathan Lulay comes from Beaverton, Nick Olsen arrives to Linfield from Rhododendron, Connor Stevens is also from Portland, and Tau Tofaeono is from Hillsboro.
 
"We have many players who come to Linfield from the northern part of Oregon and this year it is no different," said Wildcats coach Joseph Smith. "I expect this group to really add some depth and physicality to our team as they all did in high school. From Gresham to Hillsboro, this group is very physical."
 
CARTER DARBY
OL • 6-1 • 290
Gresham, Oregon • Centennial High School

• Three-year letter winner.
• Member of the Eagles' 2018 state playoff team.

WHY LINFIELD? "I chose Linfield because of the winning culture and family atmosphere that you can feel when you walk on campus. I am proud to call Linfield my home for the next few years."
 
Coach Smith's thoughts: "Carter joins his twin brother here as a future Cat. Carter is very solid in stature and has great strength and power. He will be productive on the interior of the offensive line, and has the chance to be very good as he progresses. I look forward to watching him block his brother in practice, as those two will strike."
 
CONNOR DARBY
DT • 6-1 • 295
Gresham, Oregon • Centennial High School

• Two-year letter winner.
• Graduated with an honors diploma.

WHY LINFIELD? "I chose Linfield because it is the right fit for me in both academics and football. Linfield was the only school recruiting me that had my preferred major, and of course, the football program here is top-notch."
 
Coach Smith's thoughts: "Connor comes to us from Centennial High School, a program that has sent so many young men to the CatDome. Connor is physical and solidly built as he loves to lift.  Due to injury, his senior year was less than ideal, but Connor has the talent and potential to be a fine defensive tackle."
 
JACK FRANZEN
RB • 5-11 • 185
Portland, Oregon • Lincoln High School

• Five-time letter winner in football, basketball and track & field.

WHY LINFIELD? "I became attached to the campus atmosphere and all of the people that I met on my visits were super friendly and made me feel right at home."
 
Coach Smith's thoughts: Jack is a hard-working, two-way player from Lincoln High School. As a running back, he is strong in his cuts and finishes his runs. We are excited to have him."
 
WILL FRENCH
TE • 6-3 • 220
Portland, Oregon • Valley Catholic High School

• First-team all-Cowapa League tight end and linebacker.
• Honorable mention all-state tight end.
• Named honorable mention all-Cowapa League in basketball.
• Received the Male Athlete of the Year award and the Coaches' award.
• Two-time recipient of the Leadership Award.

WHY LINFIELD? "I am beyond excited to be a part of a small-school environment with many great opportunities to grow as a student, an athlete and a person!"
 
Coach Smith's thoughts: "Will has a great deal of potential at tight end. He has a great frame to build upon, and his multiple athletic experiences will help him so much at tight end. He has done it all in high school and at tight end, you are asked to do it all. Will is a strong man of character and we are excited to have him with us as he will excel under coach Aaron Boehme."
 
NATHAN LULAY
DT • 6-3 • 240
Beaverton, Oregon • Valley Catholic High School

• Two-time first-team all-Cowapa League. 

WHY LINFIELD? "I chose Linfield because it is a small community and because excellence is expected at Linfield."
 
Coach Smith's thoughts: "Nathan is a solidly build defensive lineman from Valley Catholic High School. He has good quickness and the necessary relentless effort needed at defensive line."
 
NICK OLSEN
OL • 6-0 • 280
Rhododendron, Oregon • Sandy High School

• Participated in football, basketball and track & field.
• All-league honoree.
• Graduated with an honors diploma.

WHY LINFIELD? I chose Linfield because it is the best fit for me. It feels like home.
 
Coach Smith's thoughts: "It is great to have Nick join the CatDome where his high school coach Josh Dill also played offensive line. We see Nick being an interior lineman and we like his quickness and overall ability."
 
CONNOR STEVENS
LB • 6-3 • 220
Portland, Oregon • Sunset High School

• Team captain.
• Named first-team all-league linebacker.
• Second-team all-league tight end.
• First-team all-state.
• Graduated with honors diploma.
• Named 2018 MAF Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

WHY LINFIELD? "I chose Linfield because I want to continue my athletic career while getting a great education."
 
Coach Smith's thoughts: "Connor is big and fast. Coming from Sunset High School, he knows the price necessary for success. He has great potential at linebacker and I look forward to seeing what he can do in the LBC for Coach Phil Rombach."
 
TAU TOFAEONO
LB • 6-0 • 230
Hillsboro, Oregon • Century High School

• Five-time letter winner in football and wrestling.
• Honor roll student.
• Named all-state in football and wrestling.

Coach Smith's thoughts: "Tau was a wrecking ball for Century High School on defense. He has great hip pop and is light on his feet. A great wrestler as well, he is someone who we are very excited to get on campus and start working with because he can do so many things well."
 
Rounding out the eight-person group, Smith said, "We know what lies before us this season, and how we will be tested each and every week. I believe this group will help us have the depth to train, prepare and compete to the degree necessary to meet that weekly challenge."   
 
"Gentlemen, Welcome to the CatDome."