I hear Taj Griffin is attempting to recruit Georgia guys to come over to Eugene. Got any ideas which ones? Also, coo lto hear on the visits.
If projections hold true S pj locke and QB waller will commit on the 1st, then ATH Stephen Johnson will commit at the opening.
Please please we need Waller more than Darnold... We can't lose him to ND Or do we take 2 Qbs this cycle?
Kentucky RB Damien Harris names Oregon among his top 8 [video=youtube;GcM1Uk3DZ6Q]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcM1Uk3DZ6Q[/video] STOMP
It's Tennessee. They have huge momentum at this point in time(and him and K.McKenzie would be a lethal one-2 punch at DT).
explain Aaron Springs who committed prior to visiting we'll see about that. Tennessee already has 3 Dline commits in this class and chatter on rivals is they only have room for one more which is expected to be McKenzie. I'm hearing that Johnson's choice is down to late to the party NC State & the Ducks STOMP
Well Springs unofficially visited Oregon on june 18th, He officially visited after his commitment. But he still visited prior to committing, as has been with recruits. I've heard the Johnson chatter, but he still can't commit here until he visits, and it isn't like we won't hold a spot if he wants to take an official on the first game then commit after. He isn't coming here, he has had no official or unofficial visits.
Why would he commit to NC State. I mean, they are a bottom feeder in the ACC as opposed to one of top teams in the country. also, word on Fred Ulu-Perry? We need centers
7 of the top 50 players in this years 247 rankings class are DT's and pretty damn impressive ones to boot. Oregon has offered 1 of them in Green that we have any shot with, although Daron Payne has said he'd love to visit Oregon. Our D tackle position will be very thin next year after Armstead and Buckner go pro. It is clear to me that if we can grab top talent kids like Taj from Georgia and Ofodile for Missouri and now we are raiding my back yard of Virginia for defensive players, kids all over the country know of us now. So why if you're top talent high school DT with a chance to play instantly for a top 5 program are you avoiding being a Duck? It can only be two things, 1 Aiken can't connect with these kids and isn't a closer, or our defensive tackle schematics aren't working for these top recruits "VISION" of how they should be used. I think it's the later. You've heard recruits say DT's are being used as punching bags instead of aggressive, penetrating weapons. Judging by the fact that we don't have a single DT of worth in this class knowing we are in dire need, I'd have to give some credence to these thoughts. Oregon doesn't get beaten on the edges or in the secondary, we get beaten right up the middle, Stanford and AZ have shown that. I think Oregon should go to a 4-3 and sell DT's that they are being brought in to be QB and backfield crushers. As we've seen the in the last 3-4 recruiting classes our DT results clearly need to improve! It should be noted that true DT's, Oregon has secured 4 since 2011. Ebert, Bair, Balducci and Jelks and I'd say most of us thinks Jelks at his size and weight is a stretch at the DT spot. Buckner was brought in as a DE and Armstead as an athlete/ DE too. We are missing the 6'3 300 pounds guys in a big way!
Positions is why. RBs and TEs and DBs are making it to the league left and right and Oregon, and look at the pull that has with those position. Not as many with DTs. We change that and the kids will come.
Most DTs play in the south and know of how successful SEC linemen are, or they get hype beyond belief for USC or they like to stay close to home. They must get winded over long distances travel wise just like on the football field :B
So following yet another year finishing as the top ranked Pac 12 team and after signing 4 kids who will play as Down Lineman in their 3-4 D, Oregon is somehow in desperate straights and needs to scrap everything from coaches to philosophies because it can't sign DLinemen and isn't winning the all important recruiting trophy. Among others, Oregon is leading for rivals #1 ranked player who happens to play DLine and credits Coach Aiken as a big part of his interest, but coach Aiken has terrible schemes and can't connect with kids. Two current DTs could potentially leave early for the pros and somehow at the same time the coaches can't develop kids for the pros. Despite signing a NT (Maloata) in the last class who is currently checking in at 6'3 300+, we're missing 6'3 300 lb players in a big way! it all makes perfect sense STOMP
Deondre Francois names a top 3 of Florida State, Auburn & UO with the Ducks as a slight leader. He plans to visit each school on an unofficial & will also be in Oregon for the Opening. He plans on announcing towards the end of the summer. STOMP
Whatever the case may be or excuses made we need DT's with weight and good motors, time is not on our sides here. The playoffs kick in this year and who are we going to have fill in for Armstead and Buckner next year? Bair if he's "healthy", Maloata and Balducci? Outside of Balducci none of the above have seen a D1 game! I would give up a Cowart for a Daron Payne without hesitation right now.
