Ex-Ducks RB Lache Seastrunk to Baylor

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WACO, Texas -- Former Oregon running back Lache Seastrunk is transferring to Baylor.

Baylor announced Tuesday that Seastrunk signed a financial aid contract, will enroll in the university and will join the football team. Classes begin Monday.

It was unclear when the 5-foot-9, 190-pound Seastrunk -- who redshirted as a freshman last season -- would be eligible to play for the Bears, whose season opener is Sept. 2 at home against No. 14 TCU.

Seastrunk, was a high school standout in Temple, Texas, which is about 35 miles south of the Baylor campus in Waco. The third-ranked Ducks granted his unconditional release last weekend and Oregon coach Chip Kelly said Saturday that Seastrunk missed his grandmother back home.

"I think Lache is back where he needs to be," Baylor coach Art Briles said in a statement. "On Texas soil at Baylor University where he will have the opportunity to get a quality education and play football at the highest level. We're looking forward to him being a great teammate."

Seastrunk was one of the nation's top recruits after becoming Temple's career leader in rushing yards (4,217) and touchdowns (52) in 32 games. He had three consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons at Temple, where he was a teammate of Baylor receiver Tevin Reese.

He arrives back in Texas amid some controversy.

The NCAA is investigating services provided to Oregon by so-called street agent Willie Lyles of Complete Scouting Services in Houston. At issue is whether Lyles helped steer Seastrunk to the Ducks.

The possibility of recruiting violations first surfaced in February, when Yahoo! Sports and ESPN.com reported that Oregon had paid $28,000 to two recruiting services, which are commonly used and typically provide biographical information and video about high school and junior college players.

The amount the school paid to Lyles raised eyebrows, given his apparent mentoring relationship with Seastrunk. Oregon issued a $25,000 check to Lyles' agency in March 2010, shortly after Seastrunk signed a letter of intent to play for the Ducks.

It would be an NCAA violation if Oregon paid Lyles to use his influence to steer a recruit to Oregon.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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