until signing day nothing is binding so even a "commit" is sort of like a bird in the bush rather then in hand. Also Chip requires that guys visit Eugene and meet everyone face to face before they can publicly declare for Oregon, which is an additional hoop to jump through that most programs don't have. Once committed to Oregon, recruits aren't allowed to continue to take visits to other programs to check them out or their offer is pulled. Their approach doesn't lend itself to building a big class early but probably allows them to get more solid commitments. That said, I'm pretty sure that they're ahead of last year's recruiting pace which turned out to be a pretty great class if you take stock in the Rivals/Scout ratings... I'd expect this year to end up at least as good. STOMP
wow I wasnt aware of that.. That kinda worries me. I dont have a scout account but the side bar of articles on Tacoi Sumler says he might visit 2 other schools. http://oregon.scout.com/a.z?s=128&p=8&c=1&nid=4560480
We're still in it for Barr. Following is a little tidbit from Biggins Blog: Those last two visits will be to Oregon and Miami and Barr is still finalizing the dates on both of those schools. "I took an unofficial visit to Oregon and really liked it there," Barr said. "They have a great coaching staff that welcomed me and made me feel at home. I liked the tempo of their practices and watching them play right now, they're really a fun team to watch and you have to be impressed with just how good they have looked all season.
rivals doesn't have any sort of indication about TS visiting other schools, but maybe it's true the way I understand Kelly's commitment policy is that the prospective Duck needs to agree that their recruitment is over for UO to accept the commitment... this isn't something they spring on them at the last second. Does anyone know exactly how unique or common this approach is? Of course nothing is really binding and guys have (and will continue to) decommitted after committing, but I think Cal commit Gabe King was flushed because of this policy last year. STOMP
hmm not sure. I thought King had something to do with Grades... but I dont have any paid recruiting accounts. Just from heresay on forums. I do know that Kelly doesnt "Accept" their commitment until they have had their vist... but some say thats where they are commiting.. i.e. Yruretagoyena.
of guys that are thought to have interest in the program, Todd Barr is tops on my wish list. He'd fit the Duck's defensive needs to a T as a DT/DE that could even drop back into coverage in zone blitz schemes. Sure hope that he visits and attends a game... maybe even the upcoming one in Arizona STOMP
Apparently Devon Blackmon is here in Eugene, with his parents on an unofficial visit walking around campus. I'm about 99% sure we land this guy. Edit: Here's some background on him since he's not on the front page. On the Hoof: A very lean body type that has plenty of room to add another 15 to 20 pounds of muscle mass. His point guard body type allows him to physically project as a receiver, corner or even safety at next level. He physically is similar to Denard Robinson out of high school. Needs Improvement: Will need to add some upper body muscle to take the pounding at the next level. Since he predominately plays quarterback, spending extra time on running precise routes is necessary. If he ends up on the defensive side of the ball Blackmon will need to be more aggressive in run support. Most Impressive: Very dangerous in the open field because of superior change of direction. He is used to touching the ball in crucial situations. His versatility will allow him to possibly return kicks, and work out of the wildcat formation at the next level. Conclusion: Playmakers usually get chances early in their career to make a difference in the outcome of a game. Look for the offensive coordinator and special teams coach to find ways of getting him the ball in space. http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrec...JhquIEp5GPZB4?colleges=s how#college_choices 4 star/ #20th ranked player in nation http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=8&c=1&nid=4398338 4 star http://insider.espn.go.com/college-...ting/player?id=101235&_sl ug_=devon-blackmon 4 star/ #39th ranked player in nation [video=youtube;sgn5DmVKMy8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgn5DmVKMy8[/video]
official visits this next weekend vs the Fuskies 4* RB Brendon Bigelow, CA 5* WR George Farmer, CA 4* WR Devon Blackmon, CA 3* WR B.J. Kelley, CA 4* OL Andre Yruretagoyena, AZ (Commit) 3* OL Dontae Levingston, CA 4* DT Mo Latu, AZ 3* DT Delvon Simmons, PA 4* DE Todd Barr CA 3* DE Branden Jackson, PA 4* LB Jason Gibson, CA 4* S James Sample, CA 4* ATH Marquis Lee, CA STOMP
Farmer would be huge, but he's still high on the Trojans. Gibson, Lee, Barr, and Blackmon on that list would be optimal if we could get those guys.
What are we going to do with all these highly recruited QB's? With Randall and now Blackmon. They got a verbal from Mariota, who is only a 2 star recruit. But, they also have Bryan Bennett, who I thought had a future with the team and Daryle Hawkins has looked worthy of time, based on the little amount he's played so far. Not to mention, Thomas is just a Sophomore, he could easily be there two more years.
I'm curious how long you all have been following college football recruiting? Oregon currently has 11 (12 actually) commits. Cal - 10 UCLA - 8 ASU - 7 USC - 12 After following recruiting for nearly 20 years, I can assure you all is progressing without need for alarm. If I can lend any advice, I'd recommend to not put too much stock in ratings/stars. It is highly flawed, influenced and underdeveloped. Yes, you have your Haloti Ngata's, J. Stews who are obvious 5 stars, but on the flip side you have players like: Josh Huff - 3 stars James - 3 stars (ha!) Barner - 3 stars Asper - 2 stars (ha! ha!) Matthews - 3 stars Maehl - 3 stars Kaiser - 2 stars (ha, again!) (the list goes on....) Then you have the five stars like Cameron Colvin, or MANY USC recruits who never develop. Consider one of the lower recruiting classes that brought in Dixon, Paysinger (2 stars), Tuitele and Rosario (2 stars) and what that class accomplished - several of those two stars are enjoying time on Sunday. The wrap up: I used to get concerned over recruiting rankings and our lack of five stars. While it's fun to land a blue-chipper, it's much funner to sit back and watch our amazing staff bring in "second tier talent" and develop them to compete on a nation level. The classes you are watching on the field now, was not shabby, but far from elite - very similar in pattern to what we are seeing this year. From what I hear (those in the know), this will be a very solid class. Cross your fingers that we land either Moala, McReynolds or Johnson (all DT's w/ beef).
according to the rating sites (rivals/scout) these are some of the elite prospects in the entire country. While the point Targus made about how shaky the rating are is definitely valid, the higher ranked guys do tend to do better then the lower ranked guys. I don't look at the rivals/scout's ratings as the holy grail of whats what, but I do enjoy the excitement surrounding what might be with guys transitioning from one level to the next in most sports, so I'm just observing the process as stated earlier, I really like Todd Barr as a D-Line prospect. Latu and Simmons are also DTs and thats probably the biggest need of the class... reading the articles I wouldn't be surprised to see one of them commit shortly after the visit. the other big need in the class is WR. Farmer, the 5 star guy, is thought to be a heavy USC lean, but who knows? Lee and Gibson are teammates of Farmer, but are thought to be more interested in Oregon possibly in part because the USC sanctions on the size of their HS class keeping them without an offer. Kelly is probably the most likely to commit soon and he may bring HS teammate Bigelow (an early Washington soft verbal) with him. Lee and Gibson are teammates of Farmer, but are thought to be more interested in Oregon possibly in part because the USC sanctions on the size of their HS class keeping them without an offer. you can check out most of these guys on youtube STOMP
Blackmon will most likely play WR here. He's definitely not going to play QB and he himself knows this as he played about 50-50 WR/QB to get ready to switch positions in college. Randall is an oddity, and we really don't know what we're going to do with him. It really depends on how well Randall does in camp against Bennett. If Bennett looks like the QB of the future, then Randall will have to wait till his senior year to start at QB. He might want to also look at changing positions, though I like Randall's upside much more than Bennett's. Mariota is definitely going to change to WR. He's got good size 6-4 190, good speed, and athleticism. Hawkins has been taking snaps in practice in many different positions. Some times they run him at tailback, then he'll take snaps at QB, i've heard he's even tried playing some defensive back.
at least by rivals, here's a couple that were wrong http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Walter-Thurmond III-28562 http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Nick-Reed-29318 STOMP
