Elite quarterbacks don’t grow on trees. Look across the college football landscape and ask yourself, “What QB would I die to have?” For me, there aren’t many. My utterly and completely unbiased opinion wants Marcus Mariota first without a doubt. Second, I would choose Teddy Bridgewater from Louisville. Outside of that, I could really only move a muscle for Braxton …
2013 Oregon Football ‘All-Dark Alley Team’
Recently, I’ve been reading up on Duck foes for the upcoming football season. Oregon has what looks like a challenging and intriguing schedule laid out for their 2013 season. They face Tennessee at Autzen stadium, and go on the road to Virginia, Washington and Stanford. There is also a schedule-capping 117th Civil War game, where the Ducks will look to extend their …
Recent History Shows Oregon is the New “Running Back U”
Nine 1,000-yard rushers, seven NFL backs, and a finish among the nation’s top-six in rushing over each of the past six seasons. That pretty much summarizes Oregon football’s ground attack since 1999, making it arguably the most prestigious factory of running backs over the past 15 seasons or so. Over the years, numerous schools have made a case to be …
Recruiting Update: Smooth Sailing on the Horizon
Football Recruiting Update News Vaunted tailback Royce Freeman (4-Star/Imperial, CA) recently indicated that the Ducks have garnered his increased attention. “Oregon is a well-established program with a high powered offense,” said Freeman. “I really like coach (Gary) Campbell. I feel like he gives you every opportunity to earn playing time.” Currently holding an Oregon offer, Freeman will journey to Eugene …
Oregon Defense, Time to Worry?
After attending Oregon’s annual spring game last weekend, there are many who were not overly impressed by our defense. Many of my friends, and almost every media publication that I followed after the game were busy praising the offense and questioning the defense. To all of these defensive worry warts, and any of you reading this article I say…DON’T WORRY. While …
Oregon Recruiting Blueprint: Logistics
Under the new regime, one can only hope that the logistical challenges of recruiting are met head on with an efficient and effective strategy. What follows is a look into the logistics involved with my “ideal recruiting blueprint.” It’s easy to forget that recruiting takes time and that the best recruiters are tireless workers. Scheduling a time to talk, organizing …
‘Spicy’ Championship For Auburn in 2011
In the dog days of the off-season, where recruiting and spring ball have passed, it can hard to find content to write about. Sometimes it’s necessary to fish for stories (no pun intended); however, today is not one of those days. You have the classy folks at Auburn to thank for that. Sitting in our living room today, I stumbled …
Meet Your New Ducks: 4-Star from Texas…Enough Said
There’s always tons of hype surrounding football recruits out of Texas. It’s the mecca of high school football and has consistently produced an elite level of talent. As Oregon has emerged as a national title contender year in and year out, they’re finding themselves on the hot-lists of these kinds of highly touted recruits. Some of these players have turned …
Recruiting Update: Spring Game Weekend Leaves Recruits Awestruck
Football Recruiting Visits While the Class of 2012 made their mark on the field, members of the 2014 recruiting pool looked on with amazement at the latest edition of the military-themed Oregon spring game. Tabbed athlete Devante Downs (4-Star/Lynnwood, WA/Rivals250), quarterback Morgan Mahalak (3-Star/Kentfield, CA), linebacker Zach Brown (3-Star/San Deigo, CA), and lineman Sam Jones (3-Star/Highlands Ranch, CO) all visited and …
Spring Game Coaching Surprises
Coaching surprises in the Spring Game? Besides the obvious of Mark Helfrich in charge, and more passes than usual – what is new that was unexpected? This unforeseen development is one I anticipated observing in the fall during our games, and did not expect to see it so soon. While it does not come directly from head coach Helfrich, we can …
Tribute to Outstanding Former Duck/Native Oregonian Linebacker
Oregon has seen many renowned linebackers. Particularly in the past 20 years, many greats behind the D-line have led the team in tackles and stood out among defenders; anywhere from the “Gang Green era” to the Harrington era, all the way to the more recent Kelly era. One particular native Oregonian linebacker spent four years at Oregon before finishing his …
What Spring Football Reminded Us About the Relevance of Recruiting Rankings
This week, we take a break from the Oregon Recruiting Manifesto to take a look at some of the emerging talent on the Duck roster. It didn’t take Jake Rodrigues long to lock down the back-up QB job. Halfway through Saturday’s 2013 Spring Game, it became clear that it’s Rodrigues who the coaches will turn to in the event …