His reel is sick: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXFHH1DkfS8&feature=related (Didn't see anyone pushing Bennett, but didn't see this kids reel. If ever a kid was born for the spread, it's him. Here's the future, Ducks...MM and DAT. Sick.) One surprise: Kelly said freshman Marcus Mariota, from St. Louis High School in Honolulu, is pushing redshirt freshman Bryan Bennett for the backup quarterback job. "He had a great camp," Kelly said. "He shows a lot of poise, a lot of athleticism -- he can really run for a kid his size. And he just doesn't get flustered by things out there. He played really, really well again today. Him and Bryan are battling to see who will be No.2." http://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/index.ssf/2011/08/oregon_wraps_up_fall_camp_with.html
...and smart. Factoring in advanced classes, his GPA was over a 4.0 in HS. His HS coach said he was both as competitive and smarter then any of the QBs he's coached and that includes 3 other guys who went on to get full D1 rides. Physically he reminds me of Dennis Dixon. He has a cannon of an arm, but Duck coaches rave about his accuracy. Granted I'm just going off of the tapes and reading articles, but he's been my guess to be the next great Duck signal caller. side note... I love that MM, BB, Jake, & Lockie all immediately committed when they were offered STOMP
I was reading a few things about this kid. Someone said he throws the tightest spirals, even in the Hawaii winds. I've heard a lot of positives about Bennett (who has one year on this kid) so this kid really must be catching on fast. Posters I trust on scout have said he will be the best Oregon QB in the history of the school. Bold claim.... Mariota was only a three star recruit (scout). He had two other offers. Potential testament to Oregon's ability to find hidden talent AND that rankings can be bunk.
he was a three star recruit on rivals as well though it's kind of understandable. The Hawaiian competition isn't that highly thought of, it's difficult/expensive for recruiting services to get over there and MM didn't start in HS until his Sr. year because the QB from the class ahead of him was good enough to get a D1 scholarship too (Utah St. if memory serves). As far as the amount of scholarships he received, his were probably limited because he played his cards face up openly coveting an Oregon offer prior to getting one. STOMP
Always love those kids who pick their school and stand solid. I watched more tape and read message board banter on this kid. He's going to be a great Duck!
Hopefully we can redshirt him this year. No reason to burn through a year of his eligibility when we've got a pair of really capable QBs already. Ed O.
