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Football Recruiting
Visits
With Oregon playing host for its first and second round NIT Tournament matchups, visiting mid-west running back, Dontre Wilson (4-Star/De Soto, TX/Rivals250), made a quiet excursion to Eugene. Widely regarded as one of Oregon’s top recruiting targets, Wilson had nothing but good things to say about his time on campus.
RB Dontre Wilson (4-Star/De Soto, TX/Rivals250)
“The trip was everything I expected it to be,” said Wilson, “Me and my dad had a great time.” In town for Oregon’s Pro Day, former tailback LaMichael James conveyed wisdom to Wilson on adjusting to life in the collegiate ranks. “I spent some time talking to (him) about that, (being away from home), and how he managed to get through it,” Wilson said of his chat with the Ducks’ all-time leading rusher. Much to the jubilation of we, the Duck Faithful, Wilson’s latest offer coming by way of Head Coach Chip Kelly may be enough to land him in Eugene.
Wilson wasn’t the only prospect in Duckville over the last week. Offensive lineman Sean Harlow (3-Star/San Clemente, CA), versatile in the trenches and towering to boot, took a tour of Oregon and chatted with coaches, saying, “Everyone knows the facilities are insane and they live up to the hype.” Harlow also emphasized that he wants “To get back up to Oregon…and see the coaches in action and how they work with (their) players.” Continuing the line of athletic yet sizable (6’5, 240 lbs.) lineman that Oregon prides itself upon, Harlow’s work ethic and skill set could set him up as a key component of future Duck blocking units.
Prospects
Oregon continues to trend with the nation’s elite prep running backs. Scat-runner Justin Davis (4-Star/Stockton, CA/Rivals100) blends a rare duo of brawn (6’1, 195 lbs.) and mobility, traits that have caught the eye of Oregon Running Backs Coach Gary Campbell. “He just let me know about their process and how they are very particular about who they offer,” commented Davis. Along with his coveted running ability, early communication from Eugene is making a Davis visit to Oregon a likely possibility.
Fellow Californian tailback, D.J. Myart (NR/Sacramento, CA) is another prep rusher on Campbell’s shortlist. “I spoke to the running back coach (Campbell) from Oregon, and he told me he really likes my film and he’s very interested,” said Myart. Possessing the ability to play both sides of the ball with a 6’1, 180 lb. frame, Myart may garner an Oregon offer in the coming months.
Offensive weapon Brandon Monroe (NR/Loomis, CA) finds daylight in a productive prep rushing attack. However, once he finds himself on the college gridiron, Monroe may occupy a different role. The 6’0, 190 lb. athlete can line up as a wide receiver, safety and corner; giving him several ways to add to a team effort. “Coaches love that I’m a tough player on both sides of the ball,” indicated Monroe. “I love Oregon… It’s a great program and I’ve always been a fan… They win a lot of games, and it helps that their jerseys look great too.” While needing to improve his 40-time (4.64), Monroe could make an impact in a variety of ways if he ends up dawning Lightning Yellow and Thunder Green.
Local offensive lineman Andrew Kirkland (NR/Portland, OR) is the latest revelation of in-state talent at Oregon’s doorstep. The 6’5, 280 lb. jack-of-the-line participated in Duck Junior Day and raved about “An awesome experience.” Kirkland, a to-be senior, has made a name for himself in Class 6A football, lining up as a Jesuit Crusader in OSAA’s Metro Conference. Currently not commanding a Ducks’ offer, Kirkland’s stock will rise with his final prep campaign on the horizon.
Across the Pacific, Hawaii is quickly becoming an Oregon pipeline. Defensive lineman Kamalei Correa (NR/Honolulu, HI) is entering his final year at the prep level and may follow his elder, former teammate and current Duck quarterback Marcus Mariota, to Eugene. “Oregon is the main school I like now,” noted Correa. “I’ve always liked Oregon, and it helps having some teammates there already.” A lanky and imposing force at 6’3, 245 lbs., Correa will most likely transition to linebacker if he trades Hawaiian sun for Oregon Reign. (Yes, Reign.)
Basketball Recruiting
Despite Oregon’s season coming to a close in the NIT semi-finals, our Beloved Ducks have come a great distance. Throughout the 2011-12 campaign, Head Coach Dana Altman crafted a patchwork roster into a gritty and relentless Flying-V bent on steady improvement. Altman’s recruiting targets haven taken notice as Oregon advanced its season into latter half of March. Power forward Anthony Bennett (5-Star/Henderson, NV/Rivals150) tweeted that he intends to visit the Ducks in the near future. Bennett holds solid position in several National Top 10 lists and could be the type of recruit that leads the Oregon Program into the future as serious contenders.
PF Anthony Bennett (5-Star/Henderson, NV/Rivals150) tweeted to fans about his intention to visit Oregon.
The Ducks are becoming no stranger to recruiting behemoths who roam the low post. Center Chis Obekpa (4-Star/Centereach, NY/Rivals150) is an imposing, athletic presence and, at 6’9, 215 lbs., could potentially create a twin-towers pairing with current Oregon center Tony Woods. Altman and assistant coach Tony Stubblefield visited and subsequently offered the east coast shot-blocking big man on March 9th. Oregon is believed to be one of Obekpa’s favorites heading into his final considerations for collegiate ball.
Somewhat under the radar, forwards Jordan Bell (4-Star/Long Beach, CA/Rivals150) and Semi Ojeleye (4-Star/Ottawa, KS/Rivals150) would make ideal candidates to play amongst the glow of Matthew Knight Arena. Bell, a 6-7, 200 lb. interior defender is the type of aggressive board-crasher the Ducks will hope to sign with the departure of senior Olu Asholou (See video below for “Shot-Block heard round the Gym”).
Fellow forward, Ojeleye, is one recruiting step ahead of Bell as the 6’6, 205 lb. scorer made a recent unofficial visit to Oregon. Ojeleye can shoot from distance but finds no trouble exerting his athleticism in the post. The mid-west native noted that Oregon’s facilities are a big motivator for recruits to play their college careers as Ducks.
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 next Wednesday, WTD!!!
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Mark Flores, a Salem, OR resident, is a Firefighter/Paramedic and an avid Oregon Ducks fan. Prior to the fire service, Flores, a graduate of nearby Corban University, spent over seven years in professional journalism including a stint at the Statesman Journal in Salem and held the position of Sports Editor for the Hilltop News (Corban). A career transition however never dampened his love of writing and FishDuck is now his source to share his love of Mighty Oregon. Flores brings detailed knowledge of Oregon recruiting to the FishDuck team and welcomes your feedback.