Recruiting notes: Oilers' Biegel made strong comeback from injury

For many football recruits, the junior season remains a critical time to gain exposure with colleges. For Nolan Biegel, it was mostly a trying time.

The Huntington Beach linebacker suffered a serious arm injury that kept him from playing his final four games.

But after a successful rehabilitation, Biegel (6-2, 220) returned to Oilers this past season and emerged as a senior recruit to watch.

And over the weekend, his recruitment reached another milestone. Biegel was offered a scholarship by San Diego State.

As things stood Sunday, Biegel said his college decision would come down to the Aztecs and Penn.

“I really just think you’re in control of your own destiny, so if you want something bad enough you just have to strive for it,” he said in a text message. “That’s what I did."

Early in his junior season, Biegel suffered a blow to his right bicep. He continued to play and in Oilers’ Sunset League-opener against Newport Harbor, his bicep was hit again.

Biegel said blood flooded his bicep, requiring emergency surgery.

“The (doctors) told me, ‘There’s a 50 percent chance that you’re going to wake up without your bicep,’ “ he said. “I was going into that surgery more scared than I had ever been.”

Biegel said it took him about six months to rebuild the strength in his arm.

SAN CLEMENTE'S MURPHY SET TO ANNOUNCE

San Clemente All-County offensive lineman Kyle Murphy – the county’s No. 1 recruit – is expected to announce his college pick Wednesday at 1:15 p.m. at a signing day event at the school. He made visits to USC, Stanford, Florida and Oregon.

TRITONS' TOBER DECIDES TO WALK ON

San Clemente All-County defensive back Christian Tober (5-9, 175) has accepted a preferred walk-on to USC, his father, Mark, said.

COSTA MESA'S SMITH GENERATES LATE INTEREST

New Mexico State is showing late-interest in Costa Mesa running back Mario Smith, Mustangs coach Wally Grant said.

MISSION VIEJO'S HANSON PICKS FCS CONTENDER

Mission Viejo right tackle Doug Hanson (6-4, 280) committed to Montana State on Saturday after a visit to Fresno State.

JSERRA'S WILLIAMS MAKES THIRD TRIP

JSerra wide receiver/cornerback Jonavaughn Williams (6-0, 192) visited UNLV over the weekend.