Scott’s Turf: Recruiting or Sales?

Scott Reed FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

My FishDuck Friends — I wish to roll out a new feature called “Scott’s Turf” on the site that will appear on every Monday, which will have opinion-editorial pieces written by Scott Reed. Scott has been writing recruiting and game analyses articles every week for the Oregon franchise of Rivals.com Duck Sports Authority for many years. I’ve known him long before FishDuck.com …

Oregon Football Recruiting Analysis: Did the Earth Just Shake?

Jason Fowler FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The recruiting wisdom of Mark Helfrich is becoming more evident as time goes on.  Most recently comes the news that Hawaii defensive tackle, Ratu Mafileo, got his “eligibility” green light from the NCAA and can now attend and play football at UO.  The nephew of former Oregon great, Haloti Ngata, sheds new light on a 2014 recruiting class that was …

Oregon Football Recruiting Analysis: It’s Still About the Offense

Chris Charbonnier FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

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 …

Oregon Football Recruiting Analysis: 2015 Class Size Prediction & Scholarship Breakdown

Chris Charbonnier FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

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, …

Two Recruiting Revelations That Surprised FishDuck

Charles Fischer, Mr. FishDuck FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

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 …

Wait-and-See as NLI Comes and Goes

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

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 …

Oregon Football Recruiting Analysis: Wild Week Awaits

Chris Charbonnier FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

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 …

Oregon Ducks Football: Four Key Positions in Flux

Josh White FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

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 …

Oregon Football Recruiting Analysis: This Class is “Good,” not “Great”

Chris Charbonnier FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

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 …

Recruiting Analysis: Buckle Up as National Signing Day Approaches Like a Blur

Chris Charbonnier FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

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 …

Predictive Recruiting Analysis: Pac-12 Rankings, Top Recruits

Chris Charbonnier FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

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 …

Oregon Recruiting Analysis: PAC-12 Struggling?

Chris Charbonnier FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

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 …