Kayvon Thibodeaux: What’s His Ceiling?

Mike Kelly Talent Evaluation

The Oregon Ducks signed one of the top high school football players at any position during the December 2018 early signing period. That would be Kayvon Thibodeaux, a defensive end from Oaks Christian High School in Westlake Village, California. Thibodeaux was named the All-USA Defensive Player-of-the-Year in December, led his “Ballaholics” team to the American Family Insurance Skills Challenge Title, …

Oregon Ducks Football: Linebacker Dru Mathis

Mike Kelly Talent Evaluation

The Oregon Ducks signed the best group of linebackers in school history December 19th, as the National Letter-of-Intent early signing period came to a close. Certainly the headliners are Under Armour All-American Ge’mon Eaford from Florida and Polynesian Bowl selection Mase Funa from Southern California. However, the Ducks inked a Junior College linebacker that is further along in his development …

Oregon Football: Defensive Tackle Sua’ava Poti

Mike Kelly Talent Evaluation

The Oregon Ducks have commitments from two of the best defensive tackles in the country as the early signing period approaches (December 19th). Certainly the headliner is Keyon Ware-Hudson of Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana), who is rated the No. 15 Defensive Tackle in the country. Sua’ava Poti (#30 DT) of St. John Bosco High School from Bellflower, California, …

Oregon Football: Pro-Style QB Cale Millen

Mike Kelly Talent Evaluation

Football teams at any level want to build their roster around a quarterback, the most important position in the game. This is especially true in recruiting at the collegiate level. The Oregon Ducks 2019 early signing period is only a few weeks away, and they have a commitment from a good one in Mount Si High School signal caller Cale …

“Big and Bad” Dawson Jaramillo

Mike Kelly Talent Evaluation

The Oregon Ducks signed a stellar class of offensive linemen in the 2018 recruiting cycle. It is an imposing group of five young men averaging 6-foot-6 and 340 pounds, recruited from several states including Utah, California, and even Pennsylvania. But one of these is an Oregon-native and life-long Duck fan in Dawson Jaramillo. Dawson played at Lake Oswego High School (enrollment of about …

Oregon Football: Cornerback Verone McKinley III

Mike Kelly Talent Evaluation

The Oregon Ducks signed a very good group of defensive backs in the 2018 recruiting cycle, and certainly one of the most heralded was national recruit Verone McKinley III from Hebron High School in Carrolton, Texas. Hebron (Hawks) High School is a medium-sized institution with an enrollment of approximately 2,500 students, playing at the 6A (large school) level in Texas. …

Oregon Ducks Football: Defensive Back – Kalef Hailassie

Mike Kelly Talent Evaluation

Kalef Hailassie, a fine athlete from Elk Grove, California, was a late addition to the Oregon Ducks 2018 recruiting class. He committed to Head Coach Mario Cristobal without ever meeting him, and signed with the Ducks without ever visiting the campus. An unusual scenario to say the least. Hailassie, who was a long-time pledge to the University of Colorado, was …

Ducks Welcome Premier Athlete Addison to Eugene

Mike Kelly Talent Evaluation

Oregon football recently augmented its 2018 recruiting class with the late addition of Bryan Addison from Gardena, California. The versatile defensive back/wide receiver from Junipero Serra High School was rated the No. 1 Athlete (247sports.com composite rankings) in the country in this last recruiting cycle. Serra High School has long been considered a pipeline to USC with notable alumni Robert Woods, …

The Long Road to Eugene: Cornerback Haki Woods Jr.

Mike Kelly Talent Evaluation

New Oregon Ducks cornerback Haki M. Woods Jr.’s long, meandering journey from his hometown of South Bend, Indiana to Eugene, Oregon took over four years of his life. The route included a stop at Indiana State University and Tucson, Arizona, where he was a Junior College All-American at Pima Community College. Haki grew up in a tough part of Indiana’s fourth …

Weather Forecast: Is a “Hurricane” Coming to Eugene in D.J. Johnson?

Mike Kelly Talent Evaluation

The Oregon Ducks were an also ran in the 2017 recruiting cycle sweepstakes for Deonte “D.J.” Johnson, along with 98 other schools. Johnson a hybrid outside linebacker/defensive end, committed to the Miami Hurricanes on July 25, 2017 over other finalists Washington, Utah, and USC. Johnson, from Luther Burbank High School in  Sacramento, California was a Top-100 player according the recruiting website …

“Big Play” Safety Jevon Holland

Mike Kelly Talent Evaluation

In addressing the 2018 Oregon Ducks Football recruiting class, one of the staff’s main goals was to shore up the back end of their defense. And one of the top targets in the west was Jevon Holland from Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland, California. Oregon secured a commitment from him on May 1, 2017, and he stuck all the way through to National Signing …

Oregon Ducks Football: Explosive Wide Out — Isaah Crocker

Mike Kelly Talent Evaluation

One of the most intriguing prospects from the Oregon Ducks 2018 recruiting cycle is Inderkum High School wide receiver Isaah Crocker from Sacramento, California. Crocker also played basketball in addition to starring on the football team for the Tigers. A Top-300 recruit and a consensus 4-star performer, he played primarily wide receiver. However. he also found success returning kicks and …