Tacoi Sumler's got confidence, and that's a good quality in a receiver. He told the Oregonian's John Hunt, "Speed kills, and I have it."
The Ducks need help at receiver this fall, replacing two graduated seniors who produced over 1500 yards of offense and a 3/4-ton pickup load of key blocks. A freshman who hopes to be in the starting lineup in Cowboy Stadium before a loud, crowded house full of mostly LSU fans has to have confidence. One-on-one with cornerbacks where everyone can see their every mistake and all of their triumphs, receivers have to a special brand of "nothing bothers me; I'm an athlete."
But the last guy to make a declaration like that before his Duck career started was Diante Jackson, when he told fans to "get the popcorn ready, 'cause I'm coming to Eugene." He did, but the popcorn never made it out of the popper. Jackson never played a down as a Duck, washing out at the end of his redshirt season. Some guys don't handle the transition of being away at school, where there's no one to tell you to put the xbox down and do your homework.
Sumler was among the first commits of the 2011 class, however, and unlike Jackson, seems superbly motivated to deliver on all his talent. Tom Osborne, the Oregon tight ends and special teams coach, noted the other day that most players need a year to learn the system.
A redshirt season is likely for most of the Ducks' eye-poppingly talented new pass catchers, but at least one of them will be needed right away. Hunt reports Rahsaan Vaughn, B.J. Kelley, Devon Blackmon and Sumler will be rooming with Darron Thomas. They'll have a summer of workouts and Fall Camp to gain his confidence and make an impression on the coaches.
Along the way, they'll have to remember to go to class, something Diante Jackson failed to do. Speed kills, but maturity and discipline matter too.
Watching video on the 4 of them, Rahsaan Vaughn looked the most ready to me. But, which one of them will have the mindset of a Josh Huff? DT really has a chance to show some great leadership here. Go Ducks!
ReplyDelete--DaveV
Hiya Dave--
ReplyDeleteVaughn has a great package of skills, good speed, decent size, and he goes to the ball well in traffic. As a jc transfer he's much more seasoned and presumably ready for the leap to D-1 football. He has to be the frontrunner to crack the rotation early, but I'm intrigued by Devon Blackmon, who oozes dynamic playmaking ability and confidence.
Which isn't to take ANYTHING away from Sumler and Kelley, who have an equally bright future.
Imagine the Ducks in Darron Thomas' senior year, with four wideouts with this kind of explosive talent. Imagine Bryan Bennett throwing to them when they are juniors and seniors. It's an awesome possibility, isn't it? Who ya' gonna leave in single coverage, and don't ignore that stable of running backs.
As good as the Oregon offense has been in the last three years, the next three are mind-boggling to think about.
Dale