National Letter of Intent day has come and gone. How your Webfoots fared depends on who you ask. National publications list Oregon’s class in the 22-26 range. Those posting on Oregon message boards rank the class anywhere from “The bestest class in the history of classes, sure Hall of Famers every one,” to a class on par with the likes of ITT Tech. I don’t want to say that Oregon fans are divided, but this was a composite portrait taken not long ago.
I’m a Duck fan and so am I.
But the first Wednesday in February, NLI Day, shines a bright light on colleges across the country. From perennial power Alabama, whose Head Coach went to church on Wednesday morning . . .
Welcome, Nick! What can I do for you this year?
. . . to Tosh Lupoi’s next employer taking a more direct approach . . .
Where would you like your delivery, Mr. 5-Star?
. . . each school has it’s own recruitment personality.
I don’t want to say that Chris Peterson took advantage of his former employer when he filled out the Huskies’ 2014 recruiting class, but he did change the logo on Washington’s helmets to . . .
Probably just a coincidence.
And I don’t want to say that Colorado struggled during this recruiting cycle, but the Recruiting Special for GoBuffs Magazine had this on it’s cover . . .
It pains me to say that USC might be recognizing that they made a questionable hire with their new guy. But when you tour the Hall of Legends on campus and see the portraits of Head Coaches such as Jeff Cravath, John McKay and John Robinson, you don’t expect this to be the picture appearing right after Lane Kiffin.
But at least he’s a lush retread.
Finally there’s Oregon State. There’s a lot that I don’t want to say about Oregon State. In fact, it would be best if none of us had to say anything ever again about OSU. If the Pac-12 was the Daytona 500, Oregon State would be the Prius Pace Car. Two laps and out of the way. But I have to give the little Cletuses credit this year. Their class, usually just rank, was actually ranked 11th in the conference this year. It must have been the new recruitment ad campaign.
The Beavers are nothing if not current.
It would be nice if recruiting was honest, forthright and a process that takes somewhat less time than a Presidential campaign. High school seniors would tour facilities in an atmosphere free of pressure, and make a choice based on which school could best meet their needs. But I guess that wouldn’t be fair. Everyone would end up at the same place.
We will guard thee on and on.
Win Ducks Win!
Top photo by www.awfulannouncing.com
Related Articles:
Kim Hastings is a 1984 graduate of Northwest Christian College. He cut his journalistic teeth as sports editor of a paper in his home town of Fortuna, CA, and, later as a columnist for the Longview Daily News in Longview, WA.
He saw his first Oregon game in 1977 and never missed a home game from 1981 until a bout with pneumonia cut his streak short in 1997. He was one of the proud 3200 on a bitterly cold night in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1989 for the Independence Bowl, and continues to be big supporter of Oregon sports. He is an active participant on the various Oregon Ducks messageboards as “TacomaDuck.”