Oregon Ducks Receivers: Checking the Box for New Maehl

Jeff Maehl is tied for the most receiving TD's all time at Oregon. Not bad for a guy recruited to play safety.

For many years, the Oregon Ducks football program was known mostly for their play on offense, perhaps most commonly for superb quarterback and receiver play. Often times, the fate of the offensive success for the Ducks rested heavily on the effectiveness of the playmakers at those two positions to get the job done in a tight contest coming down to the wire. Oregon was an explosive downfield passing team, armed with a full arsenal of screen passes and deep routes designed to provide big plays at key moments.

While the Ducks had their fair share of dominant running backs and linemen, the old pro-style offense simply did not allow for the huge running lanes evident in Oregon’s current spread system. Usually to have a big game rushing, a running back had to shoulder 25-30 carries on off-tackle or dive plays, having to break tackles to reach the second level of an opposing defense. Even when there were holes, the Ducks used the run game just to loosen up the defense to strike through the air.

Not anymore. Oregon today shatters rushing records with each passing season, ballooning the stats to numbers never before thought possible. Before the spread Oregon ran to setup the pass, now Oregon runs to set up more runs.

Ever since then-head coach Mike Bellotti decided to pull the plug on the reliable but very familiar pro-set before the 2005 season, the look of Oregon’s offense has changed drastically. With the shift to the spread-option now under the direction of head coach Chip Kelly, Oregon has morphed from a pass-oriented team to one dominating the conference, and 95% of the nation, in total rushing yards each year.

With this change, the wide receivers’ responsibilities in the offense have evolved as well. Now, instead of running slants and streaks all game, the group’s primary role is that of perimeter blockers, and receivers of generally shorter screen, stick, curl, and option routes. Although they still at times will go deep, gone are the days of Oregon airing it out deep often.

Since 2007 when Chip Kelly took over calling the plays, Oregon has been especially effective in the run game, with players like Jonathan Stewart, Jeremiah Johnson, LeGarrette Blount, LaMichael James, Kenjon Barner, and De’Anthony Thomas carrying the load. Over the same time period, the Oregon quarterbacks have contributed some big yards rushing, and a record amount of touchdowns, as well.

Dennis Dixon was a true dual threat in 2007

It is now the era of the dual-threat quarterback, ones that can gouge a defense with their arm or their legs. Even those not immediately recognized as able runners have found lanes to run in this scheme effectively.

Kellen Clemens, Dennis Dixon, Justin Roper, Jeremiah Masoli, and Darron Thomas all were adept at picking up yards on the ground, while completing a high percentage of passes when they took to the air. They all had slightly different styles as players like Clemens and Masoli were surprisingly physical as runners, while Darron Thomas and Dennis Dixon ran with more elusiveness and straight-line speed. With the debatable exception of Masoli, all of them were capable of winning games consistently with their arms if tasked to do so.

Big receiving numbers haven’t been prevalent of late, Demetrius Williams’ senior campaign in 2005 and Jeff Maehl’s 2010 season the only two years that stand out in the stat lines for dominant performances since the switch to the spread. Jeff Maehl graduated following the 2010 campaign, taking with him his 77 catches and nearly 1,100 yards and 12 tds with him.

Last year, DeAnthony Thomas and Lavasier Tuinei were tops on the team in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. Following another Oregon tradition, David Paulson turned in a strong season at tight end. Other than that, the individual receiving stats during the Rose Bowl winning run last year were mostly pedestrian by comparison to prior years. Odd, in that simultaneously Darron Thomas broke nearly every passing record at the school. But, do the Ducks actually need a 900-1,000 yard receiver?

The upcoming season will provide opportunity for new faces to step in and produce. Will it be the veteran players like Josh Huff, Rahsaan Vaughn, Daryle Hawkins, or Blake Stanton? What about the redshirt freshmen from last year–BJ Kelley, Tacoi Sumler, or Devon Blackmon? How about an under the radar player like Eric Dungy, Will Murphy, or Chad Delaney? Lastly, can the Ducks count on the newest players Chance Allen, Bralon Addison, or Dwayne Stanford for any production in their first year?

One thing is certain; the Ducks will have some serious depth at receiver, and a new presumably effective quarterback throwing the passes. But, can any of these players have a Maehl-like season?

Here are the receiving stats from the last two seasons:

So of the current roster of receivers, which of these will emerge in 2012?

In addition, can any of these highly touted true freshmen find a way to contribute, making an impact next season?

Chance Allen WR/6-3/191/Missouri City, TX

Bralon Addison ATH/5-10/185/Missouri City, TX

Dwayne Stanford WR/6-5/185/Cincinnati, OH

Demetrius Williams, statistically the best Oregon receiver ever?

Here is a look at some of the greatest receiving performances in Oregon history.

Top 10 receiving yards (individual season)

Top 15 career receiving stats

Josh White

Josh White has been a dedicated Duck fan since the Bill Musgrave days. He has attended (and lost his voice at) virtually every home game and many away games since the late 1980’s, including 96 of the current 97 game sellout streak at Autzen Stadium. A Eugene native, Josh works full time in Eugene area real estate, helping people buy and sell residential and commercial properties, and also volunteers with Habitat For Humanity, Kidsports and Food For Lane County. He welcomes your feedback.

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