Football Recruiting

Commitments

Yesterday morning, Oregon received some much needed news after several disappointing months on the quarterback front.  Dual threat Travis Waller (4-Star/Anaheim, CA/Rivals250) committed to Mark Helfrich and Co. amid a long recruiting rapport that saw the Ducks offer Waller on June 21st. A long rumored Oregon lean, the 6-foot-2, 195 lb. do-it-all quarterback announced his decision via Twitter and instantly bolsters Oregon’s future in the post-Marcus Mariota era.

Waller’s pledge to become a Duck has been a long time coming as the west-coast talent finally received his most coveted offer in the “high-noon” of the 2015 recruiting cycle. Much has been made if Waller would continue to keep the Ducks a phone call away after several months of uncertainty. Simply put, Waller will have the opportunity to start day one when he and incoming freshman Morgan Mahalak square-off in what will be one of the most intriguing quarterback battles of 2015.

Waller’s 4.5/40 speed will be on display this fall, as the incoming senior one-upped his passing touchdown total (12) with pay-dirt on the ground (13) during his junior campaign. Already a four-star prospect, a stat-laden year could propel Waller into another echelon and see the one time unknown signal-caller become a household name, stay tuned!

Of equal importance, southwest-based James ‘PJ’ Locke (3-Star/Beamont, TX) made headlines of his own announcing his commitment to defensive backs coach John Neal. A relatively quiet recruitment came to a head Tuesday afternoon as the 5-foot-10, 185 lb. ballhawk made his pledge known amid a group of family members and press. Despite marginal outside hype, Oregon believes they have one of the best-kept secrets in the prep secondary ranks.

Locke bears out a workman’s style of play and is never far from mixing it up in the running game when he comes of his back line. A student of hard hits and sound pass coverage, Locke’s game will undoubtedly maturate during his final prep year and will set the stage for the continuation of merciless Oregon secondaries.

With these commitments, Oregon’s tabbed prep list now sits at eleven heading into mid-summer. While the news regarding Waller is no doubt big news, several dominoes may continue to fall as the crack of pads begins this fall; check back with FISHDUCK early and often!

For up to the minute recruiting news, please visit our friends at DUCK TERRITORY, who graciously provide FISHDUCK with in-depth analysis and player-generated material. Look for my latest recruiting update every Wednesday. WTD!!!

Main photo by Kevin Cline

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