Basketball Recruiting News With Oregon set to begin its tournament run this coming Thursday, west-coast big man and prized Duck target Aaron Gordon (5-Star/San Jose, CA/Rivals150) quietly set his announcement date for April 3rd at the McDonald’s All-American Game. The 6’8″, 205 lb. low post behemoth re-added the Ducks late in the recruiting cycle and is now thought to be …
Oregon Recruiting Manifesto Part 2: What Went Wrong
This multi-week series will attempt to take a reasonable, logical and unbiased look at Oregon’s recent recruiting successes and failures while analyzing the program’s recruiting philosophy under Chip Kelly. The series will then look at how that philosophy already has and may continue to evolve under Mark Helfrich before ending with a detailed breakdown of the author’s ideal recruiting blueprint. …
RUDY. RUUDY. RUUUDY! RUUUUDY!!: Overachieving Ducks of the Chip Kelly Era
National Signing Day is, by now, a distant memory. We silently fist-pumped (probably at work) as preps across the nation used something called a “facks machine” for the first (and probably last) time to send their NLIs to Eugene. We looked over the tremendous haul of new Ducks recruits, nodded in approval, and said things like, “THAT KID IS A …
Recruiting Update: Helfrich to Paint Saban’s Backyard Green & Yellow!
Football Recruiting Offers/News New headman Mark Helfrich is starting his tenure with a bang. Oregon’s normally reserved practice of extending offers late in the recruiting cycle appears to be all but gone. The newly termed “The Magnificent Seven” are hot on the recruiting trail and offers are a-plenty for aspiring preps who fit the Oregon mold. Tight ends Zack Bornstein …
Oregon Football Recruiting Manifesto: What Happened in 2012-2013?
This multi-week series will attempt to take a reasonable, logical and unbiased look at Oregon’s recent recruiting successes and failures while analyzing the program’s recruiting philosophy under Chip Kelly. The series will then look at how that philosophy already has and may continue to evolve under Mark Helfrich before ending with a detailed breakdown of the author’s ideal recruiting blueprint. …
Meet Your New Ducks: Stretch Armstrong Wins The Day!
The Oregon offense has become famous for its blazingly quick receivers and backs. A vast majority of these athletes have been under 6’1″ or so, with a jaw-dropping ability to cut up and down the field; but what about that red zone possession receiver who Mariota can toss the ball up to in the corner of the end zone? Look …
Recruiting Update: Magnificent Seven pull an “Andrew Jackson” in New Orleans
Football Recruiting News Much like the general of yesteryear, Helfrich’s magnificent seven are running roughshod through the deep south. Highly touted safety Mattrell McGraw (NR/River Ridge, LA) received an Oregon offer and will be visiting Eugene later in the spring season. “This offer definitely puts (the Ducks) high on my list,” said McGraw. “If the visit goes well then I …
Recruiting Update: Oregon Shadowing Speed in New Jersey Backwoods?
Football Recruiting News Oregon’s backfield draw continues to illuminate marquee preps. One such senior-to-be, tailback Jonathan Hilliman (NR/Jersey City, NJ) claims an Oregon offer this past season and enters 2014 as one of the nation’s elite runners. “I have to get out there see what Oregon has to offer,” said Hilliman. “I’m pretty interested in them… seeing the success they’ve had bringing out …
Recruiting Update: Altman Going Tropical In Florida Raid?
Football Recruiting Head Coach Mark Helfrich is making short work of an Oregon stigma. His recent offers (very early in the recruiting cycle, I might add) place Lighting Yellow and Thunder Green in a favorable position. Relative unknowns, tight end/athlete Ian Bunting (NR/Hinsdale, Ill) and lineman Sam Jones (NR/Highlands Ranch, CO), both received Oregon nods and could be early pieces …
Recruiting Update: Helfrich’s NSD Success Already Carrying Over
Football Recruiting News It’s been exactly one week since Oregon inked 19 preps. You know what that means?! Just under a year until the hysteria of National Signing Day comes around again. (For a quick analysis of all 19 Oregon signees by Head Coach Mark Helfrich, please click here.) Looking ahead, the 2014 class — especially the corps coming out of …
All-Hands Team Member — Darren Carrington Jr.
When a team expects an onside kick they send out what is known as the hands-team, a group player most likely to be able to grab and hang onto a short kick before the kicking team can arrive. If there were a hands-team for receivers Darren Carrington Jr. would be on the first team. The 6’3″ 180 lb. receiver from …
Attacking is Winning, Which Oregon Plans To Continue
Attacking is winning. That is a note scribbled in the margins of what became Bill Walsh’s book Finding the Winning Edge. ESPN the Magazine recently examined the impact of that book on current football coaches. The most interesting quote from the Mark Helfrich introductory press conference was this: “We will attack in all phases. We will embrace innovation. And we …