Yeech: Do I Have to say, “THANK YOU” to Willie Taggart?

Charles Fischer, Mr. FishDuck Editorials

Admit it, you’ve been thinking about this too. You even know what I’m about to write, but like me, you have not wanted to address it because you are still annoyed at the despicable way he dumped the Ducks. But this is Lent, a Christian time of sacrifice; of cleansing and making amends. Before we put the Willie Taggart era completely …

Laying the Foundation: How Elite Teams Are Built

Justin Samples Editorials

After signing day I heard a lot of squawking about this recruiting class and couldn’t help but shake my head. For years Oregon fans have bemoaned the lack of elite line talent on our teams. This showed especially during bowl games against physical opponents from the Big 10 or SEC (I can still see OSU running counter trey over and …

FishDuck Philosophy: New Lessons Learned from Recruiting…

Charles Fischer, Mr. FishDuck Editorials

Just as Jake Locker got schooled on a blitz in the picture above, I learned about some new aspects of football recruiting this year, none of which I particularly care for. I am developing some ways to mentally prepare for them, some FishDuck Philosophies if you will, which will help overcome the roller-coaster ride that has become the modern day norm in college football recruiting. Consider …

2018 Football Recruiting: “One of the Best Classes EVER”

Charles Fischer, Mr. FishDuck Editorials

Lately I’ve heard and read reactions from fellow fans about the 2018 recruiting class such as, “this was an unmitigated disaster” and “pretty good considering all that happened!” In the end–both opinions are correct, as it just depends upon your perspective in addressing the results. I have a usual positive spin from the predicable context angle, but I also want …

Oregon Football Recruiting is Changing and It’s Time to Accept It

Mitchel Simantel Editorials

Oregon Football has been built on a foundation of continuity, innovation and those diamond in the rough players that we, as Duck fans, have loved over the years. Our program has felt like a family, with familiar faces on the sideline and in the locker room. We were comfortable, we were confident and each year, when our recruiting class was …

Cristobal Can Set “Triple Crown” Recruiting Records THIS YEAR

Charles Fischer, Mr. FishDuck Editorials

So the Ducks have another disjointed football recruiting year? Lovely. Last year, the new staff and did the best they could in a short period of time and put together a great class, but this year was set up to be an epic LOI (Letter of Intent) day in February. After looking at the fall-out of verbal commits and considering …

Football Recruiting Observations from the INSIDE of Saturday Night Live

Jason Fowler Editorials

If you missed the inaugural Saturday Night Live July 29 in Autzen Stadium, you missed a great day for die-hard Ducks fans. Nevertheless, if you weren’t there, FishDuck.com still has you covered with some recruiting analyses of a few players and some other tasty tidbits. By now everyone has seen the fruits of Oregon’s SNL. Four players committed prior to the actual …

Oregon’s Countdown to a RECRUITING RECORD

Charles Fischer, Mr. FishDuck Editorials

You are as stunned as I am. We as Oregon fans cannot believe what the Willie Taggart staff is doing with football recruiting, as we are experiencing our own recruiting Nirvana, Valhalla, Duck Elysium or whatever your description for a result often dreamed of, but never thought was possible. Our beloved Ducks have 22 verbals on August 6th, with 11 of …

Saturday Night Live Recruiting Camp at Oregon is Buzzing

Jason Fowler Editorials

The University of Oregon football coaches will have one last summer camp before August, when they host the Saturday Night Live recruiting camp on Saturday afternoon, July 29. The exciting part about this camp is it is free and open to the public. That’s right! No charge! The football staff wants to get the word out about this event so the fans can …

Ducks Football Recruiting Is In Good Hands

Jason Fowler Recruiting

As I reflect on the weekend of Oregon’s Spring Game at the end of April, I wonder if there has ever before been such a successful three-day stint of verbal commitments in the history of Ducks football. Possibly in the month of February with Signing Day surprises, but in April? How did this all come about with a completely revamped …

For Darrian McNeal, Football is More Than a Game, and Taggart Is More Than a Coach

August Howell Recruiting

Relationships with coaches and teammates is something that transcends all sports. The bond between player and coach can have a lasting impact on both parties. Even though Willie Taggart hasn’t even officially coached him yet, 3-star wide receiver Darrian McNeal has faith in his bond with Taggart. A Man Amongst Men It all began when McNeal, who played at Armwood High …

Deommodore Lenoir Is Coming … and Is Here To Stay

August Howell Recruiting

Each year in the land of college football recruiting, there always seems to be at least one recruit who is a headline grabber. Whether it’s for his words or actions, the spotlight just seems to be on him. This year, that spotlight has been on 4-star athlete Deommodore Lenoir. Not just because he is one of the best players outright in the 2017 …