I don't mean this as an insult Zalsa, but it doesn't seem you've been following recruiting very long. If rivals rankings of HS players directly projected to results on the field as it seems you're saying, then Oregon wouldn't have been anywhere close to appearing in 3 straight BCS games. Heck the Duck 2008 class which finished as the winningest in program history, was only rated as the 19th best at the time and it's top two straight from HS players were Justin Thompson (who was never admitted) and Chris Harper (who barely played his freshman year and then transferred). The main explanations I'd point to for this are that coaching and player development matter a great deal, and the various recruiting lists are only guesses at whats what. The other thing is that it's not common for true freshman to be true impact players... somewhere between Devin Blackmon and Colt Lyerla's freshman year is more typical of a highly rated kid's first year in college then D'AT's. Another way of putting it, if USC is starting multiple freshman on their O-Line next year, I like our chances of absolutely destroying them. STOMP
Early playing time? The Ducks signed 5 quality LB prospects last year and none of them are projected to start over upper-classman Clay Alonzo & Lokombo. I'm sorry to lose Bryce, but pretty much anyone coming on board this year at LB is probably looking at a Redshirt year. STOMP
You take two evenly matched teams and square them off it comes down to coaching and Chip is 10x the coach that Lamo Kiffen is! Lamo did jack crap in the pros, almost nothing at Tennessee and he knows as do all USC fans that they escaped Autzen! I like our odds next year!
Looking at AA's 40 time... I think he might be more set for DT than DE. a 5.1 40 is pretty slow. Also why are we going after so many WRs? We already have Huff, Dat, Blackmon, Sumler, Dungy, Kelley, and Stanford.
Remember... Chip doesn't recruit position. He recruits athletes. Dion Jordan came in as a WR/TE and than flipped to DE. Also, Star ranking doesn't mean anything.
I agree, Ducks lost by a fluke last year, although with Bama or LSU not losing, it wouldn't have mattered and only ranked #3 and go to the Rose Bowl(the fact that Stanford was ranked higher just because lolLuck is complete bandwagon wanking). Barkley broke records last season and may do so again this season(ASU is no longer the power it was once and Utah is in a rebuilding Dark Age after their godly sacking of Alabama in 2008). None take, I just think that with Matt Khalil gone, a big void is on Matt Barkley's blindside, and it will be either Banner, Simmons, or Murphy covering him, and all 3 are exemplary OL. And I've just gotten into Recruiting like over the last few weeks(due to Kyle Long, from my college, getting picked up by the Ducks) I like both USC and Oregon. Lived up in Ashland for 3-4 months when the ducks went to the Natty against Auburn. And Ashland was a duck town and I loved the experience of going to SOU there, but I didn't want to be submerged in 22k in debt Freshman year, so I left there(3 As and 1 B) to go to Saddleback College, in which Michael Bowlin(former Duck now Saddleback kicker and soon-to-be WSU kicker) and Kyle Long(Duck bound) play. Loved it up there, and maybe if I graduate from Saddleback, I've live up there for a year for residency(because California sucks) and see if I can find a Law school around Medford.
After seeing the 2008 Ducks Recruit on Rivals STOMP provided me, I see Recruiting in a whole new different light. The fact that we turned Kenyon from a 3star back from Riverside(half hour drive from my place) into a starter nicely filling LMJ's shoes is nice.
Recruiting is a game of finding motivated young men and having the coaching staff to turn them into top players. I can't telll you how many times Oregon has turned a 3-4* player into a top player in the nation at their position.
I agree the star system can be flawed and let's face it, when you scour the NFL rosters many of these players are from schools that most couldn't give you the mascot for. That said, when it comes to size and speed I trust the stars. The Mamba is electric and those extra two stars are for the WOW factor that we Ducks have grown to love with this kid! AA has size and skill something that great lineman need. Size counts on the line especially since we have to hit 30 year old men in the SEC! So more often than not stars don't mean much, but where Oregon needs help the most it can't hurt!
Zalsa, I played against the high school that both of the Long boys went to. Back in my day Stab was the W all our schools put on our schedule. That said, you don't pass on that kind of size and skill that family brings!
As Stomp said, he's being recruited to play WR. Bryan Harper is a great athlete that we are recruiting as a defensive back. He has good size and speed to play corner. We are definitely the favorites to land him and we will know if he's our or not after he announces tomorrow.
Ok, after the loss of Banner the UW fans really have their panties in a bunch! http://www.uwdawgpound.com/2012/1/30/2759349/zach-banner-to-usc#comments Here are a couple highlights: -------------------------------------------------------- I think i'll go curl up in the corner somewhere This pretty much sucks, feeling a little sick to the stomach. Rosebowl titles last 90 years, UW 8, UO 1... Twitter @DAWGFATHER91 by DAWGFATHER91 on Jan 30, 2012 3:56 PM PST reply ------------------------------------------------ I think it's bad that... Oregon State has more Washington players committed than the University of Washiington does. We are all looking at the top 5 players who spread out across the country, but what Oregon State has done in WA is what we should REALLY be worried about. THey have taken the meat and potatoes of our class. by jacobcda on Jan 30, 2012 6:14 PM PST reply -------------------------------- Shane Brostek Some Nike U fan on the dawgman board is saying that he is confident that Brostek is going to Phil Knight CC. Hope that he is incorrect… by Udubb on Jan 30, 2012 8:41 PM PST reply Just like Shaq and i’m sure they think even Jordan and Mickens are coming. Delusional! Rosebowl titles last 90 years, UW 8, UO 1... Twitter @DAWGFATHER91 by DAWGFATHER91 on Jan 30, 2012 8:58 PM PST up reply Oregon isn't recruiting Jordan or MIckens so I am not sure how this is relevant. And no one I know thinks Shaq is a lock to the Ducks by ppilot on Jan 30, 2012 9:14 PM PST up reply --------------- I think if they don't land Shaq the PAC 12 may need to put them on suicide watch... MJA
With injuries and with how many people we rotate, I think early playing time is a definite possibility. As you know, we play pretty much everyone on D. MJA
Thanks Wheels, Hum, I suppose the Washington Hustle worked? Nice work Tosh? The secret visit tipped his hand so this is not too shocking, but I had hoped he was a bit less of a follower than that. I don't know how someone could follow a guy like Tosh. Gotta blame the parents. At least we can take UW fans off suicide watch. Big get for them! I actually think Shaq has a chance to win the big one at UW by his Sr. yr with the classes they have been stringing together up north. And by the big one, I am of course referring to the "Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl..." GL Shaq Thompson! We hardly knew ye. MJA PS - I really think Reggie Daniels looks better when you check the highlights; see my earlier post.
Shaq's heart is now with UW? Cal two weeks ago, but he's young and a heart can change! HAHAHA! Seems his heart is really with Tosh! A strange man love relationship they share... Good luck at UW Shaq the carquest bowl has your name on its trophy! I think Tosh had to deliver Shaq to make UW feel comfortable with justifying a very average d line coach being paid more than any other position on thier team outside of the head coach! In other words a 300k job pay bump get's a school with no hope of any bowls Shaq Thompson! Wonder what Shaq gets? I forgot, a great education, a new stadium a year out ,and a bigger rainy city to feel comfortable in further away from home than if he stayed at Cal. Course this makes sense! HAHAHA! I don't think it's much of a stretch to think the NCAA may be looking into this one very soon. Tosh couldn't have made this look more obvious!
Meh.. I kinda figured. Oh well.. Its too bad shaq doesn't like winning. Still happy we picked up AA.. Freshman Phenom
