ESPN on Ducks recruiting

[oreducks77]

Don't know if you guys read Ted Miller's blog on ESPN, but he has a quote from their lead recruiting guru, Tom Luginbill that echoes the thoughts many of us have been having:

Just like it finished its 2008 season strong, Oregon is hoping for a late recruiting run.

As it stands now, the Ducks have 17 commitments -- 11 on defense -- and rank in the middle of the Pac-10. There are a handful of scholarships available, and the Ducks wouldn't mind handing them out to a pair of elite prospects: quarterback Tajh Boyd from Hampton, Va., and running back Bryce Brown from Wichita, Kan.

Boyd is choosing between Oregon, Ohio State and Clemson, while Brown, a long shot, is a soft commit to Miami.

"This class is not as strong as I would have anticipated," ESPN.com recruiting guru Tom Luginbill said. "But Boyd would be an ideal fit for Chip Kelly's scheme. That would be a big coup for them."

The Ducks need defensive linemen and they've got them, with five commitments there, including a pair of players already enrolled. They've also got four commitments on the offensive line.

Another critical need area that has been well-addressed: specialists. Punter Jackson Rice of Moraga, Calif., and kicker Mike Bowlin of Aliso Viejo, Calif., are both among the best at their respective positions in the country.

With six junior college commitments, Oregon also likely expects many of its recruits to contribute immediately.

Two areas of concern: Awaiting Boyd's decision, the class doesn't have a quarterback; and only one receiver has committed, and that's a position where the Ducks replace two starters.

[duckgrad99]

Believe it or not, qb is one of my least concerns right now. If we don't get Boyd, we would be fine just taking a qb next year.

[division1watcher]

I have to agree I think the staff and program tend to not have enough focus on targeting specific recruits LIKELY to come. <br>Targeting Boyd and Brown who are long shots creating a hysteria you just dont see with other programs picking up far more Four Star recruits... Ex is Wade who the staff could have picked up if they focused on hme like they have Boyd... If not for last week the LB Littlejohn.. UO wouldnt have any Four Star recruits. Look out for the staff to get two Four Star Juco recruits if they whiff on Brown and Boyd...Evains, Gaines, A.Harris and Wade could all end up Ducks helping this class substantially... This is how I rank this classes in order...UO is at the bottom the class looks kinds like a Big East class...I dont think the focus was correct as a staff...

http://usc.rivals.com/commitlist.asp?school=71

http://miami.rivals.com/commitlist.asp?school=43

http://tennessee.rivals.com/commitlist.asp?school=80

http://ucla.rivals.com/commitlist.asp?school=85

http://cal.rivals.com/commitlist.asp?school=11

http://arizonastate.rivals.com/commitlist.asp?school=5

http://oregon.rivals.com/commitlist.asp?school=59

[xxxxx]

Division1watcher - Why do you not like the Ducks? 90% of your posts are negative about them and most them saying how we arent going to get Brown and that we should try to get Andre Harris. Just curious.

[jimmyg]

D-1watcher...we are not Kansas St ok...we do not need all JUCOs' on our commit list, there is no quicker way to ruin a program. We will take the ones that fill needs. There is nothing wrong with going after the best players, we would never have got Blount, Thomas, Harper, James etc.. if the staff thought as meekly as you. I for one am very glad we are going after the best HS players, and accept the pitfalls that brings, but when we do get them, they are the talents the will get us over the hump.

[karlhungis]

D-1watcher...we are not Kansas St ok...we do not need all JUCOs' on our commit list, there is no quicker way to ruin a program. We will take the ones that fill needs. There is nothing wrong with going after the best players, we would never have got Blount, Thomas, Harper, James etc.. if the staff thought as meekly as you. I for one am very glad we are going after the best HS players, and accept the pitfalls that brings, but when we do get them, they are the talents the will get us over the hump.

You say that as if the current amount of JC commits is by choice. How many JC's have we lost this year?

[division1watcher]

Just showing supporting evidence for Luginball... After a BIG bowl win I expected a better class going into the last week of recruiting..

Its not just Harris its a load of four stra West Coast recruits UO overlooked HS and JUCO for the longshots across the country... Happened last year too...

Well se how it pans out but its not looking great as of this moment could change Feb 4th hope it does ...