LaMichael James, Darron Thomas, John Boyett, Kenjon Barner, Cliff Harris, Michael Clay, Jackson Rice, Rob Beard, Carson York, Scott Grady and Dion Jordan are all sophomores.
Eddie Pleasant, Javes Lewis, Josh Kaddu, Mark Asper, David Paulson, Terrell Turner, Lavasier Tuinei and Darrion Weems are juniors, with a year of eligibility remaining.
Redshirt freshman Bo Lokombo, Taylor Hart, Brian Jackson, Daryle Hawkins, Wade Keliipiki and Everett Benyard are already playing and contributing, as well as true freshman Ricky Heimuli, Josh Huff and Drew Howell.
The redshirting freshmen, including Brian Bennett, Lache Seastrunk Eric Dargan, Dontae Williams, Dior Mathis, Tony Washington, Terrance Mitchell, Derrick Malone, Keanon Lowe, Troy Hill, Hroniss Grasu, and Eric Dungy are part of what may be the most talented classes Oregon has ever assembled.
This year's early recruiting commits include a dozen promising kids who are perfect for the Oregon system in talent and attitude, including a group of talented athletic offensive linemen Andre Yruretagoyena, Jamal Prater, Tyler Johnstone and James Euscher. The Ducks entertained a big group of topflight recruits for the Washington game, and they're still in the running for in-state stars Colt Lyerla and Brennan Scarlett. At wide receiver, Tacoi Sumler has already committed, and several other top talents are strongly considering the Ducks.
Oregon is in the midst of the greatest season in Duck history, and the future looks pretty good too. Chip Kelly is 19-3 as a high coach, and he's two years away from playing with a roster of his own players.
One lingering concern: with this kind of talent in the program, how many leave early for the NFL? Pleasant? Thomas and James next year?
Next year will be interesting with all the redshirt freshman that will be looking for a spot in the 2 deep. Those players will make it a easier on us fans when we learn most of the 2011 freshman recruits we have been following through the recruiting process will not see playing time.
ReplyDeleteIn your opinion who may be the guy to replace Jeff Maehl. I think the only player they have now that has a chance is Lavasier Tuinei. My issue is that I just don't see him filling that roll. I think LT is more suited for the role he is in right now.
If Oregon gets to the NC game I could see a couple early entries to the NFL. The national stage in football and basketball seems to make draft stocks soar. I could see LMJ and Boyett leaving for the NFL. I have seen to many things Pleasant needs to work on for him to leave early.
You forgot sophomore Kenjon Barner
ReplyDeleteAndy-- Agree with you about Jeff Maehl. Josh Huff has proven himself to be a reliable and explosive target, and Eric Dungy catches absolutely everything thrown to him. Those guys will pick up some of the slack. I would hate to see Boyett or James leave early, but they both have the talent and work habits to be successful in the NFL. With Pleasant, it is the speed and strength measurables that make him a possibility. Ideal situation: they all come back. But if they don't there's a lot of talent available for the next few years, and remarkable to think Chip Kelly is a couple of seasons away from playing with a full roster of his own players.
ReplyDeleteAlex--thanks. Unintentional oversight, and a big one. Coach adapts to his talent at hand, and with two receivers graduating this year, we may see more two-back and other looks that feature Kenjon in the next two years.
Dale