Oregon Football Recruiting: Interest Growing in WR N’Keal Harry

Jordan Ingram FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

While the Oregon football team has shown a growing interest in junior N’Keal Harry from Chandler, Ariz., the Ducks have yet to make an offer, according to azcentral.com. “They’re reaching out to me but they haven’t offered yet,” Harry told Richard Obert of azcentral.com 2-sport star & #Rivals250 member N’Keal Harry feels right at home at #USC http://t.co/8rAqe1iNss pic.twitter.com/DuIyIE0zRR — Rivals.com …

“He might be the next…” Seriously?

Dave Kensler FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Now that National Signing Day is over, the voices will gradually increase in both volume and number throughout every college football program with one of the most overused phrases: “He might be the next (insert name of former great player at the respective school).” Ugh! One of my favorite quotes, which has been attributed to Oscar Wilde, is: ”Be yourself; everyone …

Oregon Recruiting, or How to Win Recruits and Influence Players

Graham Berry FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

As some of you may or may not know, the title refers to a formerly (currently?) popular book by Dale Carnegie that apparently taught more than 15 million people how to make friends. Unfortunately, Mr. Carnegie died before writing what would surely be his second most popular book: How to Win Recruits and Influence Players. As Duck fans know, winning recruiting battles, particularly …

Ducks Face Unique Recruiting Challenge

Aaron Lewis FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

As Duck fans, we have become spoiled. After decades of deprivation, during which 6-5 was almost a historic year, we have had a couple of decades of unprecedented success that now make a 7-5 or 6-6 season an unthinkable disaster. Our Ducks don’t rebuild, they reload. Every year we expect to and have seen our Ducks be national title contenders. Even the …

Hawaii and The Oregon Ducks

Nik Brownlee FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Recruiting is the life-blood of college football. Coaches work almost year round to convince players to buy into their program and get the kids to believe that their school is the best fit for them. Many elite programs have the luxury of recruiting top-notch in-state athletes, but Oregon has no such luxury. To begin, Oregon is an elite program. The …

Another Mariota Headed to Eugene

Nik Brownlee FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Late last night, Marcus Mariota’s younger brother, Matthew Mariota, announced his intention to sign with the Ducks on National Signing Day on February 4. Matthew earned All-State honors this past season playing defensive end for St. Louis High School, the same school Marcus attended. The younger Mariota checks in at 6’3, 230 lbs, which is small for a defensive end at …

It Is Not About Recruiting!?

Dave Kensler FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

It has become a statement acknowledged as fact: Recruiting is paramount to an effective team. As such, you might not like what I have to say. But when I look at the college level of the sport as a whole, I see the hype of recruiting, National Signing Day and related hoopla overblown in terms of significance. We are talking …

How Does the Heisman Affect Oregon Ducks Football Recruiting?

Jason Fowler FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Along with a berth in the first college football playoff, the Heisman — with this year’s recipient being Oregon’s own Marcus Mariota — has cast the spotlight on the “team that could” from the upper left hand corner of the country. So how will this affect Oregon football’s 2015 recruiting class? Mariota bringing the statue back to Eugene should make …

Top Duck Recruit Josh Sweat Expected To Announce Tomorrow

Jason Selby FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Announcement Follows Eugene Visit While living in the moment is everyone’s favorite thing to do, success on a national level is based around how well a school can recruit talent for the years to come. Long-term success is always on the forefront of a coach’s mind, and by having Josh Sweat for an official visit this past weekend, Mark Helfrich …

What We Learned: 11 Newbs Critical to the Ducks’ Championship Run

Josh Hall FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Through three glorious weeks of college football, teams across the country have had their depth tested. Look to the east and observe a USC defensive line run over by a mediocre Boston College team in a below-average ACC conference. Look to the south and see a backup quarterback carried off the field heroically on teammates’ shoulders after managing a shaky …

While Duck Fans Cheer, Haters Pray for Oregon’s (Imminent) Collapse

Don Gilman FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

No Mark Twain quotes here. No rehashing of the great author’s famous statement about his death being overstated. Yet, as Duck fans, many of us can relate to that phrase. Every year Oregon’s detractors predict that the end is nigh, that surely this year the Ducks will face some sort of collapse and fall flat on their feathered faces. This year, the …

Oregon Football Recruiting Analysis: I Need a Hero

Jason Fowler FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

With nine months left until the football players of the class of 2015 sign with their designated programs throughout the nation, Oregon is poised to step up their recruiting game another notch.  This is the year that the Ducks must sign the most highly touted talent in the history of the program.  With the recent verbal commitment from the top …