The Oregon football program is not regarded as a defensive juggernaut. An elite defense wasn’t the catalyst behind the evolution of the Oregon brand. In this new era of Oregon football, where fans expect championship runs, the offense seems almost to have become an after-thought. Improving the defense has become the focal point of radio pundits and TV personalities. Let’s …
While it seems like the 2014 class just signed their papers, the 2015 cycle is already well under way. Two of the common questions early each year are: “How many scholarships are available?” and “How will those scholarships be used?” Using a method I’ve used each of the past two years to predict upcoming class numbers to within one player, …
We all know of them, the “Web Wackos” who post crazy stuff about Oregon football on the major recruiting message boards. You would think they had never experienced a recruiting season before, and perhaps for some of the 14-year-olds posting (in maturity, if not biological), that is true. Sitting at the recruiting luncheon in Eugene, Oregon, a week ago made …
It’s the easiest thing to do — to make snap judgments or knee-jerk reactions. Those are what this world is based on (smartphone and twitter in hand.) However, in this instance — and it’s the same every year — the results from college football’s ultimate exploitation event, National Letter of Intent day, won’t be seen for another 2-3 years, and …
With less than a week left before national signing day, there are plenty of questions surrounding Oregon’s 2014 recruiting class. The only guarantee is that the next seven days will be eventful, one way or another. There are also seven names to keep an eye on during that time: DT Trey Lealaimatafao, DT Rika Levi, DT Ratu Mafileo, S Matrell …
Player personnel in college football is a constant revolving door — finding, developing and then plugging in the “next man up” is a never-ending battle for coaches. Entering the 2013 season, some notable personnel losses for the Oregon Ducks football team were apparent. Three senior linebackers and the program’s second-leading rusher, headlined a group of departing players who had become …
Recruiting is a merciless and often brutal component of the college football system. There’s no reason to sugar-coat it: the past couple weeks haven’t been ideal for the Ducks. This is not going to be another article about Budda Baker. There are plenty of those. The fact is Baker is a great player and a great kid with a chance …
Coaches don’t get gray hair in November, they get it in January. This is the time of year, while most think college football has gone cold and dark, that coaches everywhere are making a frenzied final push to sign the best class they possibly can. This includes ensuring their class doesn’t suffer any losses, which is tough considering the number …
With the 2014 recruiting cycle ending in five weeks, those teams atop the conference recruiting rankings are beginning to separate themselves. Currently sitting atop these rankings is none other than the Oregon Ducks. In question, however, is whether or not they can maintain their position. What about your Pac-12 school of choice? Here’s the objective data, commentary and individual school …
Kevin Cline Like they always do, the Ducks are closing strong as the 2014 recruiting cycle begins to wind down. The recent commitments of OT Braden Eggert, DB Glen Ihenacho and DE Henry Mondeaux give Oregon 14 commits to date. Given that the Ducks are expected to take between 18-20 players, only 4-6 spots remain. Who will fill these remaining …
Kevin Cline If you ever have the opportunity to watch a big Ducks game in a backwoods South Carolina bar on $1 beer night, I highly recommend doing so. Unless you’re wearing an Oregon jersey and the team happens to get beaten like a rented mule. In that kind of situation, you’d probably meet this guy named Mo (or as …
Kevin Cline The next three months should be an exciting time for fans of Oregon football recruiting. With national signing day approaching, the Ducks are looking to round out their class with some elite players. While smart money is on Helfrich and company to put together a group that can rival the 2012 and 2013 classes, there is still a …