Brave New World of NIL, College Athletes and Kool-Aid

Jordan Ingram Editorials

Did you know that Alabama freshman cornerback Ga’Quincy “Kool-Aid” McKinstry signed an endorsement deal with, wait for it,  Kool-Aid? Yup. It’s a new era of college football. For the first time ever, collegiate athletes are able to receive financial compensation for their name, image and likeness, or NIL, opening up a flood gate of cash for advertising and endorsement deals. Let’s be …

The 2021 Ducks are Hard to Predict

Darren Perkins Editorials

It’s amazing how a team that is 4-1 feels more like 1-4. Oregon has played horribly against lesser competition and superbly against one high-quality opponent. The 1-4 feeling comes from knowing how good this team could be, yet the Ducks are not playing up to their potential. Before the season began, I wrote how the Ducks should go 11-1 this …

More Talent Means More Ducks Drafted

Darren Perkins Editorials

During daily web surfing of my must-see sports sites, I stumbled across a post at oregonlive.com (full youtube video) that hosted a video documenting the tension and excitement of the Detroit Lions’ front office in the minutes leading up to their selection of Oregon offensive lineman Penei Sewell with the seventh overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. It was …

Can Oregon Find Superman a Sidekick?

Joshua Whitted Editorials

There’s not much that Oregon’s pass-rushing extraordinaire Kayvon Thibodeaux can’t do. The uber-talented defender still has somehow exceeded expectations, instantly establishing himself as one of the most feared edge rushers in the country. He’ll likely be a top-five NFL Draft pick in 2022, and is even a darkhorse Heisman Trophy candidate this season. But even the great Kayvon Thibodeaux can …

Kayvon Thibodeaux Is On the Move

David Marsh Editorials

Spring football is finally here, and Oregon’s new Defensive Coordinator, Tim DeRuyter, is wasting no time adapting the roles of his players to fit his defense. Kayvon Thibodeaux is one of those players on the move within the defense, and he shared the news during Tuesday’s post-practice press conference. This spring, Thibodeaux is moving to more of an outside linebacker …

A New Defensive Era Has Arrived at Oregon

David Marsh Editorials

This year was marked by an underachieving defense from the outset. However, it is worth reiterating that a great deal of the defense’s underachievement came as the result of Jevon Holland, Brady Breeze and Thomas Graham opting out. At the end of the season, though, we can say that this is the start of a new era for Oregon’s defense. Mario …

Which Former Duck Would Save the Fiesta Bowl?

Alex Heining Editorials

It’s a common phrase at the NFL level to say your team is a “quarterback away” from being a playoff contender. The same could be said about many college football programs, and although the Ducks may not be particularly needy at the quarterback spot, they may be one all-time great player away from being a College Football Playoff contender even …

Oregon’s Defense Is a Cascading Failure

David Marsh Editorials

After four ugly games, it’s safe to say Oregon’s defense has failed on every level. Oregon has the most talented roster in the Pac-12 on paper, and when you assess each player individually, this is true. However, football is a team sport, and instead of putting a cohesive defense on the field, Oregon has eleven players just running around. A …

Analysis: The SACK Strategies of All-American Kayvon Thibodeaux

Joshua Whitted Analysis

Kayvon Thibodeaux wasted no time justifying his five-star recruiting rating. As a true freshman in 2019, he established himself as one of the premier pass rushers in the Pac-12, and he saved his best effort for last, as the underdog Ducks took on the College-Football-Playoff-contending Utah Utes in the Pac-12 Championship Game. Thibodeaux wrecked the Utes, finishing with 2.5 sacks …

Is There a TRUE No.1 Pick on the 2020 Ducks’ Roster?

Alex Heining Editorials

The Oregon Ducks’ football program has accrued a wealth of ‘blue chip’ talents over the past several recruiting seasons. With at least three potential first round picks set to be drafted in the next two years (depending on whether or not this postponed spring season has a significant impact on the draft), there’s a great deal of speculation on not …

Kayvon Thibodeaux Is Heating Up at the Right Time

Joshua Whitted Analysis

It’s a beautiful thing when elite talent meets proper technique. That’s what’s happening with Oregon’s all-world freshman pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux as the season nears its end. After a relatively quiet start to the season, Thibodeaux has emerged as Oregon’s best pass rusher, leading the team in tackles for loss and sacks. Thibodeaux’s physical attributes (size, length, athleticism, etc.) have …

Oregon’s First Three Games: Who are YOUR Favorite Freshmen?

Cameron Johansson Editorials

The Ducks have officially wrapped up their non-conference schedule with a 2-1 record. The first three weeks have been a bit of a roller coaster, with a disappointing loss to Auburn week one and a strong rebound in the following weeks in front of the Autzen faithful. With conference play set to begin next week at Stanford, there is a …