Football Recruiting
Head Coach Mark Helfrich is making short work of an Oregon stigma. His recent offers (very early in the recruiting cycle, I might add) place Lighting Yellow and Thunder Green in a favorable position. Relative unknowns, tight end/athlete Ian Bunting (NR/Hinsdale, Ill) and lineman Sam Jones (NR/Highlands Ranch, CO), both received Oregon nods and could be early pieces in the Eugene-bound 2014 recruiting class. “(Oregon) was a huge offer,” said the 6’6″, 210 lb. Bunting. “They’re consistently a top-10 team in the country, a very high-profile school, great team, great offense.”
His sentiments were echoed by Jones, no stranger to size in his own right at 6’5″, 275 lbs. “Oregon is definitely an offer that grabs my attention. (Oregon) will probably be one that is hard to beat… I will probably be out there for an unofficial visit during my Spring break. Oregon will probably be my number one after that trip.”
The emergence of Coach John Neal’s secondary has a seen elevated interest from second level-prep defenders. Reputable defensive back Naijiel Hale (NR/Bellflower, CA) burst onto the national scene as a junior and figures to be one of the top ball-hawks in the 2014 class. “I’m still waiting on that Oregon offer,” said the sturdy 5’11”, 170 lb. Hale. “It will definitely make a big impact on my recruitment if Oregon offers. I grew up loving the school and I really want them to offer. The defensive back coach (John Neal) e-mails me pretty often so we have been keeping in touch there.”
Basketball Recruiting
(Left) F Elgin Cook (4-Star/Milwaukee, WI)
Head Coach Dana Altman is at it again. High-flying junior college forward Elgin Cook (4-Star/Milwakee, WI/NW Florida State) is expected to visit Oregon this coming Thursday and could be a integral piece heading into 2014. “He’s tough, he’s a really tough kid,” said coach Steve Forbes . “He has a really high skill level. He can play the wing, he can play the four. Depends on how you want to play. His athleticism is off the charts.” At 6’6″, Cook couples excellent around-the-rim play with the ability to terrorize defenders in transition. Look for Altman to keep Cook as a viable option due to his success at the JC level.
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!!!
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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.