What a difference a year makes. At this time in 2018, Oregon football was in flux. The Ducks were introducing their third head coach in as many years, the program was still wiping egg off its face from the Willie Taggart debacle, and the team was coming off of a decidedly average 7-6 season. Just a year later, there are …
There’s no better weapon in college football than a deep and talented defensive line. Other positions such as quarterback and offensive line are also important, but a dominant defensive line is paramount. Even the most explosive offenses become ordinary when facing an elite front four. Look at last season’s National Championship Game, in which arguably the best offense in college …
At first, Oregon’s much-hyped “Saturday Night Live” recruiting camp appeared to be a bust. Attendance was low, and only a single prospect committed directly following the event. But good things come to those who wait. A few days after Saturday’s festivities, the Ducks added several more commits, including perhaps their top overall target. They also generated some momentum with a …
None of Oregon’s position groups has been criticized as much as the wide receivers. Players like Jaylon Redd and Johnny Johnson looked to be in for breakout seasons in 2018, with a healthy Justin Herbert throwing the ball. But those aspirations went out the window, as the unit — outside of Dillon Mitchell — dropped passes, struggled to beat one-on-one …
Oh, how times have changed! Under former head coach Willie Taggart and current leading man Mario Cristobal, Oregon has undergone a complete recruiting transformation. Seemingly overnight, the Ducks have gone from good-but-not-great recruiting classes to king of the Pac-12 recruiting hill. In late July, still a month away from football season, the Ducks are already close to having a full …
Oregon is stacked at quarterback for the foreseeable future. Even though current starter and likely first-round NFL draft pick Justin Herbert will be gone after this season, the Ducks have former four-star prospect Tyler Shough and intriguing true freshman Cale Millen on deck. Furthermore, the Ducks recently secured a commitment from top-100 prospect Jay Butterfield, one of the best high …
The term “freak athlete” is becoming a cliché in football circles. It seems like every other top-flight NFL draft prospect or high-ranking recruit is given the moniker. The reality is, with athletes today being bigger, stronger and faster than ever before, these “freak athletes” are just the new normal. But once in a while, even among this new caliber of …
Depth-building, culture-setting three-stars are the lifeblood of every college football program. Even Alabama signs its share of these prospects. But let’s be honest, it’s the five-stars that really get the blood pumping. Luckily for Oregon fans, the Ducks are closing in on a couple of five-star prospects, one of whom would be their second best wide receiver commit in program …
Fair or not, Chip Kelly and Mario Cristobal will be compared to one another for years to come. The former was largely responsible for the most successful period of Oregon football, while the latter is trying to get the program back to where Kelly had it. Although Kelly is long gone and attempting to rebuild a different program, his shadow …
Recruits have been flocking to Oregon, with four prospects committing in the past couple of weeks. With all of the momentum they’re building, many assume that the Ducks are right on track to at least match their recruiting success from the 2019 cycle, in which they finished with a top-10 class. But don’t be fooled. A flurry of three-star commits …
Elite offensive line play will always be the foundation of Oregon football under Mario Cristobal. The former lineman is one of the best in the business at coaching and developing pro-ready players at the position. That showed in 2018 when three of the Ducks’ five starting linemen made Pro Football Focus’ All-Pac-12 Team, with perhaps their best tackle Penei Sewell …
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on … the Ducks? Calling Chris Steele’s recruitment a roller coaster ride would be the understatement of the year. The talented defensive back has given new meaning to the term “media circus,” as his indecision has everyone following the saga completely dumbfounded. By now, you know the story. A one-time …