https://athlonsports.com/college-footba ... op-25-2017
21. Oregon
New coach Willie Taggart inherits a promising core of young talent for his first season in Eugene. Although the Ducks are coming off their first losing record since 2004, a quick rebound should be in order. Quarterback Justin Herbert threw for 1,936 yards and 19 touchdowns as a true freshman last fall and is surrounded by a strong supporting cast that features running back Royce Freeman and receivers Darren Carrington and Charles Nelson. The Ducks also went with a youth movement in the trenches last season and this unit is slated to return four starters from the final two-deep. Additionally, left tackle Tyrell Crosby returns after missing nearly all of 2016 due to injury. Scoring points won’t be a problem for Taggart’s team, but the defense needs to take a step forward if Oregon wants to challenge Stanford or Washington in the Pac-12 North. The good news? Taggart hired standout coordinator Jim Leavitt away from Colorado and has plenty of experience at all three levels of the defense returning for 2017. Sophomore linebacker Troy Dye is one of the Pac-12's rising stars on defense, and the addition of Clemson graduate transfer Scott Pagano provides a boost up front. The Ducks also catch a break in scheduling by missing USC in crossover play, while Washington State and Utah visit Eugene.
Oregon cracks Athlon Sports' top 25
Moderators: greenyellow, Autzenoise, UOducksTK1
- UOducksTK1
- Site Admin
- Posts: 37652
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 11:28 pm
- GM: Boston Celtics GM
- Location: Portland, Oregon
Oregon cracks Athlon Sports' top 25
Do Not Fear. Isaiah 41:13
- UOducksTK1
- Site Admin
- Posts: 37652
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 11:28 pm
- GM: Boston Celtics GM
- Location: Portland, Oregon
Re: Oregon cracks Athlon Sports' top 25
And we make the Pac-12 preview cover.
Do Not Fear. Isaiah 41:13
- Phenom
- All Pac-12
- Posts: 9920
- Joined: Sun Jan 11, 2009 12:49 am
Re: Oregon cracks Athlon Sports' top 25
Royce looks funny lol
- Penky26
- Four Star Recruit
- Posts: 950
- Joined: Sun Jan 11, 2009 7:25 am
- Location: Clinton Township, MI
Re: Oregon cracks Athlon Sports' top 25
anyone out west able to grab one for a Duck fan in Michigan?
- Alan
- Senior
- Posts: 4193
- Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2014 2:17 pm
Re: Oregon cracks Athlon Sports' top 25
Any other year in recent history a preseason #21 ranking would have insulted me. Funny thing I see this year I'm pleased with it.