Reggie Daniels: The Other No. 8

Laura Brehm FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

If you’ve ever watched a Ducks game, witnessed No. 8 tackling and said, “Mariota, what are you doing on the defense!?” this article is for you. Of course, Heisman-winning Mariota is not moonlighting as a safety. The man in the jersey is Reggie Daniels, a redshirt sophomore from Chandler, Arizona. This three-star recruit was a three-year letterman at Hamilton High School. He …

Ian Wheeler: A Punter with Strength in Steadiness

Laura Brehm FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Eight months after earning an open invitation to walk on for the Ducks, this unknown freshman was in line for a starting job on the field: The punter. The player referred to is Ian Wheeler. He grew up in a land far, far away. Demorest, Georgia, to be exact. Wheeler’s punting career began in the backyard of his childhood home. …

Player Profile: Dwayne Stanford, the Comeback Kid

Laura Brehm FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Just before the 2013 spring game, tragedy struck Dwayne Stanford: a knee injury took him out for the entirety of his sophomore season. In order to take advantage of his eligible years, the only option was to redshirt. This was a heavy blow to the true freshman who was one of the lucky few to appear in all 13 games …

Chris Seisay: Unsung Hero

Laura Brehm FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Going into half time of the Michigan State game, things were looking grim. MSU was leading 27-18, and the defense was having a difficult time holding the Spartans back. Connor Cook seemed unstoppable — — Cut to promising RS freshman, Chris Seisay — standing on the sidelines, unable to do anything to help his team. He watched as hopes for a future …

Evan Voeller: Leader by Example

Laura Brehm FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The subject of this profile is another one of Oregon’s very own, and he is as talented as they come. Evan Voeller hails from West Linn, Oregon, where he played four years under the Lions’ head coach, Mike Fanger. He wasn’t a very vocal leader, but actions often speak louder than words. Fanger informed Aaron Fentress from The Oregonian that …

Jake Pisarcik: The “High School Football ‘Rocky'”

Laura Brehm FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

You may recognize this six-foot-four, 278-pound redshirt freshman’s surname if you’re an avid Eagles and/or Giants fan. NFL quarterback Joe Pisarcik’s – most infamously known for “The Miracle at the Meadowland” (if you’re on the Eagles’ side) — youngest son is this relatively unknown recruit. Jake Pisarcik wasn’t a guy on a lot of college radars. Sure, he attended camps and sent in …

Kani Benoit: The Small Division Underdog

Laura Brehm FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Kani Benoit*, a redshirt freshman from Phoenix, Arizona, thought it was over. His dream of playing football for a top-tier program seemed unattainable. Though he received initial offers from 10 schools, he had trouble keeping them. And Oregon was really the only one in the running for the BCS National Championship. Benoit’s head coach from Phoenix Thunderbird High School, Brent …

Juwaan Williams: The All-Around Athlete

Laura Brehm FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Juwaan Williams is a long way from home. Almost 3,000 miles away to be semi-exact. However, the distance hasn’t stopped him from making a big impression — on the Ducks. Williams hails from Tucker, Georgia, an unincorporated community in the northern part of the state. There, he attended the aptly named Tucker High School and became a star athlete. The …

Rejoice for Royce Freeman

Laura Brehm FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Just like fifty percent of Ducks at the University of Oregon, this next Duckling Profile subject did not reside in Oregon prior to arriving at the University. He’s from the golden state of California, adding to the growing abundance of Californians and also adding to the argument that the UO might as well be called “UC Oregon.” But, there are no …

The “Play On Sundays” Guy: Tui Talia

Laura Brehm FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

“The difference between Tui Talia and the others is he’s got that ‘play on Sundays’ size.” That’s the mantra surrounding this solid junior college recruit.  Standing 6’5, Talia weighs 270 lbs.  Well, at least he did before the Ducks delved full force into spring training.  Like many of his fellow teammates, Talia has been very serious about lifting weights and bulking up for the coming …

Welcome To Football, Johnny Loyd

Laura Brehm FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

You may be familiar with the name “Johnathan Loyd” if you’re an avid Oregon basketball fan.  And if you were in attendance for the highly-anticipated spring game, you’ll remember chuckling as the voice of Autzen, Don Essig, introduced the freshly-tackled first-year senior with the quip: “Welcome to football, Johnny Loyd.” It’s been awhile since Loyd stepped onto a football field and …