Football Recruiting
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It’s here. National Signing Day. The stakes couldn’t be any higher for Oregon as it enters one of the most pivotal phases in program history. Chip Kelly is now fully in the rear-view mirror in the minds of recruits. How will head man Mark Helfrich fare on the final day of his first full recruiting cycle?
Oregon received a pledge from defensive lineman Austin Maloata (3-Star/Corona, CA) in the middle of last week and now bears fifteen hard commits heading into the early morning hours of Wednesday. However, there are two names that We, The Oregon Faithful, need to pay close attention to.
Wide receiver John ‘JuJu’ Smith (5-Star/Long Beach, CA/Rivals100) and defensive lineman Trey Lealaimatafao (3-Star/San Antonio, TX) are preps still at large as of this morning (7AMPST). Oregon seems to have gained an undeniable head of steam in Smith’s recruitment as a contingent of Duck coaches met with nation’s top receiver last week.
The meeting produced several messages from inside sources that see Smith heading north to Oregon after a very impressive showing by Helfrich. Will this be Oregon’s next “DAT in the night” moment as Helfrich attempts his best Kelly impression of a late-in-the-game recruiting caper?
Lealaimatafao is even more of a mystery as the 300-plus trench behemoth has played things close to the chest since openly expressing a heavy interest in dawning Lightning Yellow and Thunder Green late last year. Until the toner is dry on the fax machine paper, little can be known of his final destination.
Stay tuned to FISHDUCK throughout the day for updates! Breaking news will be posted in a rolling thread directly below this paragraph, WTD!!!
As of 8:53AM PST… SIGNED…
QB Morgan Mahalak
DB Arrion Springs
LB Jimmie Swain
DE Justin Hollins
ATH Charles Nelson
RB Tony James
DL Henry Mondeaux
OT Braden Eggert
DL Jalen Jelks
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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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.