I think the big fish would be: -- Ellis McCarthy -- Thomas Johnson (WR Texas commit who's been rumored to be visiting Oregon, although it seems a longshot) -- Trey Williams (TA&M commit who was, at least briefly, interested in visiting Oregon, although I think Da_O posted something about him considering it too far away) -- Jabari Ruffin (USC commit who's reportedly visiting later this month) I doubt we get any of these guys, but one (or two ) sure would be a great capper to this solid class that's lacking really top-tier prospects so far. Ed O.
Today's ESPN blog said that David Perkins from South Bend, Indiana might visit Oregon (along with MSU and perhaps Illinois). He decommitted from Notre Dame at the end of October. 6'1", 210 LB. Has an offer from Oregon. Interesting. Ed O.
Love all the long tall athletes they're gathering on the DLine. Together they'll make an imposing fence. I'm guessing Buckner is the last DLineman they add to the 2013 class and Ellis and Arik go to USC & Cal respectively. We've 6 verbals with 3 projected at DT and 3 at DE. According to the rating services this is one of the best Oregon DLine classes ever... our cup runneth over As for the remaining big fish, my hope is landing Kyle Murphy. His size and mobility would be perfect in Kelly's schemes. I expect they'll add at least one more big time WR and LB prospect too. STOMP
From ESPN this morning: He might visit Texas next, and no mention of an Auburn visit. Looks like Oregon is still alive for AA, too, which is good. Gotta think Cal is the front-runner, but maybe the bowl games helped sway him...? Ed O.
John Neal is meeting with 3* star athlete Bryan Harper today. There is a high chance Neal offers and Hopkins is saying it's extremely likely Harper will commit, today. He will be the 5th DB as it looks like the coaching staff has moved on from Rios and Seymour.
Oregon is up to #13 in the latest Rivals rankings. Notice anything different from the Recruiting hotbed areas the other schools around them are in? Rivals Recruiting Rankings
More scholies to use? Getting a high ranking without that one or two elite - and the class is just a solid group? Top in the Pac? Nice to see OSU's class above UW, UA, CU, Utah and even Wiskey. Go Oregon schools!
I think I read right now as it stands counting the (probable) departure of LaMike... we have something like 3-5 more scholarships to give out, and that was counting Buckner as well.
Wow. Very exciting class and I hope our win the Rose Bowl helps sway a few athletes our way. I still want to see more defensive CB/S/rover action in this class. Chip is a great coach (not perfect) and really is a good leader and mentor. We're beginning to see the fruits of his recruiting on the field and it's a great thing to be part of and support. Go Ducks! LOI day quickly approaching!
I think we're done in the secondary if we pick up Harper. That is unless of course Shaq Thompson commits to us which is a must take. EDIT: Yes Ed O, Trey Williams has said that is too far away and wont be coming here to visit. I've heard that we're looking at taking maybe 3 running backs in next years class, since we'll probably only be coming out with Marshall from this class.
Someone posted that on DT as well. He might trip here with Addison on the 27th. Bit of emphasis on the word "might."
Scott Schrader posted an article on the USC 24/7 site relating an interview with Kyle Murphy : He had this to say about Oregon: Oregon "I really like the scheme they run and how fast the offense operates. I know there is some talk about Oregon not preparing their lineman but coach (Steve) Greatwood talked to me about that and that's not a concern for me. I like the way they take care of their players. I was really impressed with how Oregon tries to set up their players for success on and off the field."
This is really promising; I had sort of written him off as going to Stanford or USC since he hadn't committed after taking his OV to Oregon so long ago. Ed O.
He had some nice things to say about the other schools too. From the same article: He's already taken official visits to Oregon and Florida and will take an official visit to Stanford Jan. 13 and USC on Jan. 20. And those are the four schools he is still considering. USC; "USC is a good school academically, it's close to home, it's always had a good solid football program and it's a good school for linemen, too. USC has a good system that puts out good good offensive linemen, gets them to play to their potential and gets them to the NFL. Obviously that's something that's very appealing." Stanford: "Stanford is a good school academically, obviously. The football program is kind of on top right now, I like the kind of offense they run, they have good people there and good coaches." Oregon "I really like the scheme they run and how fast the offense operates. I know there is some talk about Oregon not preparing their lineman but coach (Steve) Greatwood talked to me about that and that's not a concern for me. I like the way they take care of their players. I was really impressed with how Oregon tries to set up their players for success on and off the field." Florida: "Florida has great academics, which is very important to me, and have had a lot of success on the football field. I also get a real good feel for the coaches when I talked to them on the phone and like their coaching staff. I was able to see a game and get a feel for the game atmosphere down there when I visited, and that was great." So, Murphy has two official visits left and after that he will make a decision. He said he doesn't have a date in mind on when he'll announce his decision. "It's going to take some time after I take my final official visit for me to make a decision," said Murphy. "And I don't know when that will be." Also Chip Kelly visited Long and Castro today and both are solid on Oregon.
BTW Barry Sanders Jr. is expected to commit to Stanford on Saturday during the Army All-American game, and if they get Murphy with the offensive line class they already have, look out. http://newsok.com/article/3637724
Some "talk" of a lack of prep -- courtesy of fellow Pac12 coaches. Some talk of the way Oregon takes care of players -- courtesy of actual Oregon players. BTW: Lane Kiffin sighting at Rose Bowl. He was asked what he thought of DAT's performance and he pulled up a wind-breaker to reveal a Wisconsin shirt. He got numerous middle-fingers from Oregon fans....
