Football Recruiting
News/Visits/Offers
DL Eddie Vanderdoes (4-Star/Placer, CA/Rivals100).
To say phenom Eddie Vanderdoes’ (4-Star/Placer, CA/Rivals100) D-Line MVP performance at Sunday’s Nike Football Training Camp was anything short of dominant would be an understatement. The 6’4, now 309 lb. Vanderdoes put opposing lineman on roller skates, blowing through, past, (insert many adjectives here), opposing linemen in a series a drills held inside Autzen Stadium.
Though claiming not to have a favorites list, Vanderdoes will make an official visit to Oregon sometime during the 2012 season and plans to be on campus after participating in Nike’s “The Opening” in July.
The Ducks will do battle with 40+ schools who’ve offered Vanderdoes. We should note that Oregon is the only program that Vanderdoes will visit in an official capacity after previously being on-site–Vanderdoes attended Oregon’s Spring Game, Nike’s NFTC. Simply put, Vanderdoes’ interest in the Ducks appears to be holding steady if not increasing as time passes.
Last Friday, Oregon opened future running lanes with an offer extension to offensive lineman Alex Redmond (3-Star/Los Alamitos, CA). “That’s a huge one,” said Redmond. “It’d be cool to go (up to Oregon) and see it. I was kind of waiting on that one… It’s humbling.” Redmond, who stands 6’5 and tips the scales at 290 lbs. is the prototypical athletic yet mobile lineman the Ducks put a premium on. A visit may be in the works if communication between Offensive Line Coach Steve Greatwood and Redmond remains constant.
On the hotly contested West Coast recruiting trail, Oregon may make a late push for shifty runner D.J. Martin (4-Star/Bakersfield, CA). Although verbally tied elsewhere, Martin refers to himself as a “soft commit” and is actively “trying to get up to Oregon for a visit.” Martin’s record off the field is not the most encouraging. However, if he keeps his slate clean during the coming months, look for Running Backs Coach Gary Campbell to seriously evaluate the 5’10, 205 lb. prep.
Jack-of-all trades Danny Mattingly (3-Star/Spokane, WA) was another participant at the Eugene NFTC this past weekend. “It blew my mind,” Mattingly said of his first in-depth exposure to Oregon’s campus. “The coaches and the facilities are unreal. I love all the things that are set up for (Duck) athletes to reach their maximum potential. Oregon gets every inch of talent out of their players possible. It was definitely impressive.”
The 6’4, 225 lb. athlete already commands an Oregon offer, and given the relatively short distance from his home, don’t be surprised if Mattingly opts to don Lightning Yellow and Thunder Green.
Almost a duplicate of the aforementioned Mattingly, 6’5, 235 lb. John Mundt (3-Star/Modesto, CA) could be the next big name to occupy the Ducks’ tight end role. “Oregon came and watched me practice a few weeks ago,” said Mundt. “The coach also let me know…he’s really impressed with my character. So they have an idea of what I am capable of.” The Ducks will almost surely offer Mundt, as he intends to travel north sometime during the next two weeks for a visit.
Prospects
Combo tight end/linebacker Jeff Camili (NR/Shingle Springs, CA) joins a multitude of preps seeking a Ducks offer. “I’m going to Oregon in a few weeks, and I’m really hoping they offer,” said Camili. “That’s always been a school I love to watch, and I love their defense.” The 6’3, 250 lb. Camili will wind up in Eugene and optimistically could be sent on his way with an Oregon offer in tow.
Safeties Dashon Hunt (4-Star/Westlake Village, CA/Rivals250) and Brandon Arnold (3-Star/Encino, CA) may have interest in multiple programs, but are nonetheless being pursued by Oregon.
Hunt, a 5’9, 175 lb. ball hawk indicated that the Ducks are showing significant interest after he de-committed from “neuheisel no more.” Arnold, a larger 6’0, 183 lbs. noted, “I’m going to (Oregon’s) camp this month to try to earn a scholarship.” Hunt and Arnold possess solid athleticism and would most likely move around on the field before settling on a slated position. Given the Ducks impeccable utilization of raw talent, keep a close watch on both preps as their recruitment moves into the summer season.
Basketball Recruiting
News/Prospects
A link of potential interest has emerged between Oregon and super-prep Tony Trocha (4-Star/Houston, TX/Rivals150). The 6’10, 210 lb. center from the Midwest has the Ducks on his shortlist of potential destinations and may visit Oregon in the near future. Originally from Columbia, Trocha would make a late but solid addition to Coach Dana Altman’s 2012 recruiting class.
West Coast forward Dakarai Allen (3-Star/Sacramento, CA/Rivals150) is the latest prep to build a relationship with Ducks’ Assistant Coach Tony Stubblefield. “I like the Nike aspect and the coaching staff likes to play up and down,” said Allen. “I haven’t been to their new arena but I’ve seen it online, and I think that is another big plus.” If all goes as planned, Allen will get a first-hand glimpse of Matthew Knight Arena as the lanky 6’5, 172 lb. scorer intends to visit Oregon.
Not to be outdone, Stubblefield’s fellow assistant, Brian Fish, is making strides to bring forward Semi Ojeleye (4-Star/Ottawa, KN/Rivals150) to Duckville. “I speak a lot with Coach Fish,” said Ojeleye. “We’ve talked about how I fit in and everything.”
As reported previously, Ojeleye noted that his unofficial visit to Oregon was “great,” saying, “It was a cool environment to play in and (Eugene) was (a) really nice size, and I actually liked the weather as well.” The Ducks will square-off with Ojeleye’s home state programs for the 6’6, 215 lb. slasher and could emerge victorious with the right blend of steady recruitment and on-court success.
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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.