Football Recruiting Offers A slew of offers to the nation’s elite seems to be the tone early in the 2015-16 recruiting cycle. Look no further than Oregon’s recent nod to hard-hitting safety Brandon Jones (4-Star/Nacogdoches, TX/Rivals100). “I’ve been waiting on that one (offer) for a while,” said Jones. “… I already know Oregon will be in my top five when …
Four-Star Cornerback to Visit Eugene in April
The Oregon football team is already making good strides when it comes to the 2016 recruiting class. So far, the Ducks have five verbal commits for next year, and if things go well, possibly a sixth could join them soon. Andrew Nemec, of OregonLive, reports that four-star cornerback Jared Mayden will be taking an unofficial visit to Eugene the first …
Spring Practice One Week Away
The 2014 season, one of the best in Oregon history, is in the rear view mirror and almost out of sight. One week from today, the future begins, as Head Coach Mark Helfrich and staff embark on their journey into the 2015 college football season. Spring Ball is where players come out of the woodworks. Getting the time to practice with the team, fresh off …
A Bright Future for Elgin Cook
The Ducks have wrapped up their 2015 NCAA tournament campaign after a 72-65 loss to Wisconsin, but things are still looking bright after this season. With Joseph Young leaving, the Ducks will be looking for new players to feed the ball to next season. The 6-6 forward Elgin Cook may be one of the answers for the Ducks as they …
Miami Dolphins: Dion Jordan to Linebacker?
Former Oregon defensive end Dion Jordan currently shares the crown as one of the highest NFL draft selections from the Eugene campus. The Miami Dolphins chose Jordan with the third overall pick in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, hoping to bolster their defensive line. But according to multiple media sources, the Dolphins are now considering moving Jordan to …
Future Without Joseph Young Will Hurt, but Duck Basketball Set for the Long Run
During the 2014-15 Oregon Duck men’s basketball, Joseph Young was the acknowledged leader of the team. He was handed a Duck team with three returning contributors, and in the Pac-12 Preseason Poll Oregon was predicted to finish eighth. He knew he’d be double-teamed all season long and that there was no true point guard for the team, he had to change positions on the fly. …
Little Big Man Ifo Ekpre-Olomu
One of the Oregon players who’s gotten lost in the shuffle leading up to the NFL draft is Ifo Ekpre-Olomu. Perhaps it’s just the shadow of Marcus Mariota, or his own knee injury rehab, or maybe the fact that Ekpre-Olomu isn’t the 6’3” + CB that everyone is looking for in the NFL now. The thing is though, while everyone …
Bret Bielema, Oregonlive, DirecTv Present ‘Songs That Never End’
Mike Merrell’s Three-and-Out We’ve all been there — stuck at a party, a ceremony or even on the phone when somebody gets on a rant and just doesn’t know when to shut up — or at least change the subject. Body language, fidgeting, glazed-over eyes, even yawns are to no avail. The perp just keeps on keepin’ on. “Songs That …
Dwayne Benjamin — X Factor for Ducks Hoops
When Hall-of-Famer Bill Walton broadcasts college basketball games with Oregon playing, he constantly faces the common reality that most individuals face. Around the University of Oregon student body and members of the press, especially Walton, forward Dwayne Benjamin is known as “Snoop Dog.” The junior transferred to the UO from Mt. San Jacinto College in Louisiana last year and has been …
Linebackers Development in Spring Key for 2015 Success
The Ducks begin spring practice in less than two weeks. As I wrote previously, most of the attention will be on who replaces the greatest player in Oregon history, but the Ducks should be just fine at the quarterback position next season. The position group that needs to make the biggest strides this spring is the linebackers. Last year’s Oregon defense, under …
Ducks Play Their Game to Outlast Cowboys
I wrote this past Thursday that Oklahoma State would be a tough matchup for the men of Oregon in the NCAA Tournament round of sixty-four. The Ducks would need to play the game at their pace, limit turnovers, and limit Cowboy sharpshooter Phil Forte to ensure victory. After a hard-fought 79-73 victory, it is time to examine whether these predictions …
Dana Altman and His Band of Unsung Heroes
Surrounded by three beefy Cowboys, Casey Benson leaped for the rebound and popped from the scrum with the basketball. Midway through the first half with Oklahoma State, Benson had provided an essential stop in the game. His stat line for the contest wasn’t impressive—two rebounds and a steal, no points, but Benson was an unsung hero in the game. He …