KCDuck1

All, ON3's Director of Scouting and Rankings was asked to provide comments on each of the Div 1 Elite 11 Finals counselors. I have copied his comments about Dillon Gabriel who was one of the four counselors. They all threw the ball and executed the drills. They led by example. Impressive! "On3’s Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power was on hand to take in the various workouts and provide some feedback on how this year’s crop of college quarterbacks performed. Among the participants this year were Oregon‘s Dillon Gabriel, USC‘s Miller Moss, Clemson‘s Cade Klubnik and Liberty‘s Kaidon Salter. Here’s how Power evaluated each. Dillon Gabriel, Oregon Dillon Gabriel, Oregon© On3 The headline name in the group at the Elite 11, Gabriel will be one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy in 2024 after transferring from Oklahoma to Oregon. He should help ease the transition from Bo Nix, who was himself a Heisman finalist last year. After throwing for 3,660 yards and 30 touchdowns last season, while also rushing for 373 yards and 12 scores, Gabriel will be looking to do it again on a playoff contender. He impressed out West this week. “I think from watching this group, though he wasn’t able to go through the Pro Day, I think Dillon Gabriel was clearly the best of the college quarterbacks that we saw out here,” Power said. “He went through Day 1, going through drills with the high school quarterbacks, then the rail shot challenge. I thought what we saw from Dillon Gabriel during the rail shot challenge was the best glimpse that we saw from the college quarterbacks. “He was really impressive just getting the ball up and out, was able to drop it into small windows consistently, generated good velocity. And you can tell Gabriel is dialed in with his mechanics. I was impressed. “He’s obviously not the biggest, but he has maximized his physical ability and he was impressive throwing that rail shot challenge. We’ve seen a lot of top quarterbacks throw that, and it’s not an easy throw. You have around a 5-yard kind of window to drop the ball in, and the speeds of the receivers vary out here, and Gabriel was able to throw with velocity and touch and location. I thought from what we saw of each college quarterback he was the top arm out here.” Rght or wrong, ON3's Director of Scouting and Ranking is exceptionally impressed with the Ducks' QB and leader. VR, KCDuck1

Smith72, Thanks for that article on the Elite 11 Finals. I believe Akili Jr. has out-performed expectations, and become even more accomplished than the selection committee expected. You and Mr. Fishduck are correct: Akili Jr. is already blossoming as a QB and competitor - he has pushed himself in preparation. He wasn't one of the main selections, but he was selected as others fell away due to other choices. He made the most of his opportunity! The article stated the toughest throw in the competition was "the rail shot challenge, which was the last competition of the [first] day. The challenge, which consisted of a rail-shot [flat, minimum arc, hard & fast due to the defense] pass to the left side of the field against Cover 2 thrown without loft in the ball on a five-step drop, is one of the more difficult throws of the camp." So, Akili Jr. was not one of the top four, but he will continue to improve and excel, and that is a "must-do" in the Duck competition pressure-cooker. A lot more is expected of the best QBs now than when Akili Jr's father played, and yet, just as then, if one wants to be the best, one has to train to be so; he's doing that now. There was a picture published of Akili Jr. and Dillon Gabriel standing next to each other. I don't imagine that was at the Elite 11 Finals site in Manhattan Beach; but, if it was, thanks to Dillon Gabriel for supporting Akili Jr. Our QB is a heck of a team player! Perhaps Coach Stein ought to consider intgrating the "rail shot challenge" into Spring Tng (as they have time). Our Offense may need to pull some rabbits out of their hats now-and-then, just like DL used the fake punt against Colorado. Our Ducks will face some purportedly very good secondaries in the B1G. Would enjoy seeing that Statue of Liberty and the Swinging Gate plays our Ducks used against UM successfully executed. Best regards, and Go Ducks! KCDuck1

HappyToBeADuck, I am not happy to throw a glass of cold water on your comment, but the Ducks lost to the Beavs by four points (38-34); that was a very tough game to watch and from which to walk away. I kept asking myself how can two excellent coordinator-type defensive-minded coaches both miss how the Beavs are catching up and not make changes in their alignment? So the Ducks have 3 x 3 point losses (all to the Huskies), 1 x 4 point loss (Beavs), and one x 46 point loss (Dogs). Nothing personal against FSU, but when they lost to Georgia 63-3 in the Orange Bowl last year, it was as if that 49-3 loss had been expunged from the national record. FSU was 13-0 for their season up to that game, and then the Bulldogs happened to them. Yes, they had almost 20 players that chose to step away from the team - that's a leadership and cohesion issue. When the Ducks play Idaho at the end of August, we may have that same type of problem but with a different slant; we will have the talent, but will all the Ducks be a coherent and cohesive Team, intent on winning every game and on internally helping each other become the best players they can be this year. We'll see. DL and his staff created a very good cohesive team this past year. Let's see if they can do it three times in a row. My money is on DL and our team. Best regards, VR, and Go Ducks! KCDuck1

Make it three for me, also. Thank you. VR, KCDuck1

Sir, Mr. Fishduck, Any information on who won the earlier game between FSU and USD? I am not getting ahead of myself, but am curious who UCSB plays in the early game on Sunday (or, who the Ducks play). Thanks, and appreciate the updates. It's two hours later here in KC, so it's nice not to have some pesky characters bothering me about the TV. They don't hunt or fish, either; but, they do like the Chiefs (one of two saving graces). VR, KCDuck1

John Joseph, Sir, You stated, "(...enemies closer)". Believe you meant [and] keep your enemies closer. The NCAA is no friend to the Ducks, and I would be surprised if any B1G team was a friend to any new team arriving in the conference to potentially knock any and all off their accustomed perch. VR, KCDuck1

Coach Wasikowski, Sir, Great that you and our Oregon Ducks baseball team made the NCAA Baseball Tournament. One thing I learned from you and our Ducks while in and after the '22 and '23 PAC-12 tournament teams is the PAC-12 Baseball Tournament validates the teams that should be selected for the NCAA tourney. If a team loses one or two games in that Tourney, they are self-validating not to be selected. You slid past that hurdle, but not over it. You and our team had some bitter comments after the two losses in the '22 PAC-12 Tourney, and yet, you lost both games and were out. This tourney is where leadership on the part of the coaches and certainly the teams is demonstrated, throughout. Leaders in coaching and among the players imbue their team(s) with purpose, energy, determination, execution, and a no-quit attitude every time the going gets tough. That is what the Ducks fans saw last year. That is not what we are seeing now. You have all our support - use it, but lead! That offensive production for which your/our Duck team had been known has been lacking and inconsistent. You and your coaches are the experts - fix it! While you are fixing it, move ahead of the power curve, and lead, consistently. Your team needs to be good at everything, and great at many things.It's time to look in the mirror, buck up, and move out. Please, lead our baseball team out and win a lot of games, all the games no one believes you and they can. Stop complaining, and apply leadership. You have felt it, seen it, and you have been it! VR, KCDuck1 -- Win Ducks, Win!

UCLA defeats Ducks 3-1 (Romero won and Huang was halted at end of 16). Stanford defeats USC 3-1-1. Women's NCAA Golf Finals will be played Wednesday between Stanford and UCLA. The Duck Women made up a lot of ground since last year's finish in the NCAA regionals. Go Ducks! VR, KCDuck1.

#7 Lady Ducks defeated #2 LSU 3-2, and will meet #6 UCLA next. Go Ducks! #1 Stanford plays #4 USC in the other semi-final round. Both SEC teams eliminated. VR, KCDuck1. Again, Go Ducks!

OBD, Yes, it's nice when SEC sportswriters write laudatory projections (as compared to mediocre or bottom of the barrel) about the Ducks' defensive line/Edge. Still, I suggest we don't become too comfortable until we see the starters (1st echelon) on the D-line and LBs set up and consistently stop/stuff the opposing offenses, and watch as the 2d and 3d echelons move in and stop our opponents. In the Spring game, several of our freshmen (who aren't really freshmen anymore) played well (A'Mauri Washington, Porter, Green, and my favorite, My'Keil Gardner. Tuioti was a force at times, and Puchase and Matayo were in there working. Mr. Fishduck reminded us of the new Ducks in the middle such as Tionne Gray and our final year stalwart, Keyon Ware-Hudson (who has stuck it out in the middle for a long time).These Ducks are warriors, and I won't take anything away from them before the fight. But, I counsel let's see what the initial battles and results look like leading up to our game against the Buckeyes. Then, we can really enjoy the Duck performances. Following the Buckeyes game we will know our real team status, regardless of sportswriters and fans. I think we have some real Duck stalwarts composing our defense, and the rest of the team is good, too. But, let's see. I remember that Georgia beatdown (49-3), and I read about Georgia tearing an undefeated FSU apart down in Miami when so many of the FSU players declared and stepped away from their team and teammates. After FSU's 63-3 loss, I realized 49-3 wasn't nearly as bad. Speaking of Mr. Fishducks' mention of the defenses' soft underbelly, watch for Tyliek Williams in the Buckeyes' soft underbelly. He will be a tough nut in their middle. Last year, we saw our Duck defense finish 39th overall. Would really enjoy seeing them finish in the 20s this year. This year, we have the LBs, Corners, and Safeties, too. They are young, but athletic. This may be the most athletic defense the Ducks have ever had. Best regards and VR, KCDuck1

Duckster, Well done. The staff inadvertently made a stab at this (without perhaps understanding that was what they were doing) when they recruited Tevita Pome'e two years ago out of Utah. Tevita had been in the US about two years when he was recruited (can't guarantee all the timelines off the top of my head due to a one-time read and a fallible memory). Tevita and his parents were recent immigrant arrivals from Samoa (may have been American Samoa), and Tevita had not yet mastered English.Tevita was enrolled in a small private Christian school/academy in Utah where he was playing sports. At 6'3" and over 300 pounds, he naturally dominated. Tevita was recruited here, and he came, and after one year or less, he entered the portal. I suggest he did not play (probably). He is now a Beaver. Did Tevita lack anything? He was big and athletic. However, that's not enough. I suspect he needed assistance with his mastery (and written use) of the English language; on the field; he might have needed someone like Popo Aumavae, Taki Taimani, or Keyon Ware-Hudson to shepherd the young player during the Winter season and Summer, or not. It's tough to shepherd when one is consistently fighting lions and bears (competing for a playing position). In the Ducks' system, learning fast, being quick on the uptake, and watching others/learning from their mistakes, all of these are a necessity, and are rewarded when a player demonstrates they understand how to be tough, physical, and consistently successful. If someone is recruited from American Samoa or Hawai'i, great! Let's make sure such a recruits' people, language, academic, and cultural skills are as sharp and well-developed as we expect their sports/football/and competition preparation skills to be. These are probably already woven into the staff work associated with the team-building program. Remember our Outland Trophy winner, Penei Sewell? His story, and his family's story are inter-woven and interesting, and remind us how narrow that bridge is to success. All four Sewell brothers played football somewhere, and at least three have done so successfully (I suspect all four have been successful.) American Samoans speaks an island language, play physical football, and (IIRC), a very physical brand of rugby; they are very family-oriented. This years' Duck QB sure has some great island contacts for the Ducks, if DL uses them. Duckster, thank you. Your article should provide the seedlings for action by our coaching leaders. They seem to be a half-step ahead of most coaching staffs. The way to increase that lead is by very good thinking and action if the action is merited. VR, KCDuck1

OBD, In Dierre Hill's film, he does not just burst into the line. He seems to run laterally while waiting for a seam to open; when he recognizes that seam, he bursts through or along that seam. He has good burst speed and runs away from his pursuers, and he doesn't slow down even when two defenders have him surrounded; surprisingly, he just seems to change direction and run away from the defenders rather than through them. I had to smile watching him do that several times. Once he started moving away from pursuers, no one ever maintained a close position or closed that gap. He was selected as the State's Gatorade Player of the Year; he will have a tougher challenge repeating that award; still, he and his team might consider throwing down the gauntlet and challenge people to beat them. I believe other teams will be waiting for them, and will want to stuff their attack. I am curious to see what he could do on a serious lifting & speed program; although, most high schools have equipment available for all students that want to use them. Still, he's in a 1A program. If Dierre continues attending camps and applies what he observes, learns and practices, he should be that much better a player and RB this coming year. It appears like the Midlands may be very good to the Ducks this year. VR, KCDuck1

WickedGreen, Your presentation and discussion of OT as the position we now need most makes sense. I have been curious if George Silva is really The OT/lineman he was brought in to be, or not. He definitely has competition on both ends of the current line - he has to aim high to win! Still, this may be a terrific opportunity to learn from the best (on both ends & sides of the O-line); and, the same for Rogers, Jaramillo, Moala, Crader, &/or the other OT recruited this year. Your comments regarding DL's intentions for Edge are sound, and I have a high opinion of Burch's capabilities he has already demonstrated. If one, or all the Edge players have advanced to near Tuioti's Spring game level, that will enable DL's flexible use of Burch, and the iDL appears to be advancing rapidly. They will learn from each other and together. It's early, but I don't think we have seen a DL and Edge execution at Oregon lately like we are about to see develop this year. Besides all the benefits that can accrue to a team when their DL and Edge are functioning at a high level, the previous subject of the OL comes back to mind. As Cornelius credited one of the Edge players as aiding his OL education last year, so also will our DL assist to educate our current OL and backups. Your description of the possibilities regarding iDL, DL, and Edge was fun to read and anticipate. I believe we all want it to operate just as DL intends, and as you described, if not better. Thank you, VR, KCDuck1

Haywarduck. That is a rather pretty and very striking photo. That is beautiful country, but if you ever step away from your horse, I would keep an eye out for where you are stepping. I like that photo! Thanks and VR, KCDuck1

David, That's great! OBD owe Penn State a really good "game" as a return memorial gift from the '94 Rose Bowl. We should be ready to weather a "white out" (all their fans wear white and bring white pom-poms) at their home in Happy Valley (or whatever the town is) in West Central PA. VR, KCDuck1

JabbaNoBargain, Great points. However, as a team ascends into that "Blue Blood" atmosphere, one should always be prepared for the unexpected. Michigan was not prepared for our "swinging gate" play when the Ducks played them at the Big House. Chip and UCLA were not prepared for an onside kick when they played up at Autzen and DL intended to sustain the Ducks' offensive momentum; and, Coach Prime was not prepared for an entertaining fake punt when DL wished to sustain the Ducks' offensive control of the ball and their momentum last season. Those are just a few options the Ducks have sprung on unsuspecting opponents. Were we Bluebloods then? No, but we were playing teams that have been so regarded. When competing, be prepared for anything. When on the road, it is always wise to have options in one's kit bag - don't rely on them to win, but practice them just the same. Just ask Coach Andy Reid and his former OC, Eric Bienemy (Sp?) at KC Chiefs. They have seemed to be regarded now and then as an NFL blue blood-type organization. You brought up applicability to the "Chip" this year. ;-00 Regardless, your points are valid. VR, KCDuck1

Alex, This is a good article - thank you. I want to emphasize several things you touched on. History: Yes, when DL/Edge Burch left the championship game, he had put a lot of pressure on the Huskies best OL/left tackle. When Burch left, that Husky NFL 1st Rd pick controlled our Edge rushers. Our rushers were all very good freshman players, and they had played almost a whole season, but they were still 1st year players - very good 1st year players, but nonetheless 1st year players against an accomplished Vet who was as good as we wished he was not. So, Burch was worth 3-4 points in that game - maybe even more. We all saw what 12-13 more practices brought out in Tuioti as a rusher during the Spring game, and so many other young players are right there. The Duck defense (just as all defenses are), is a system. The D-Line and its component parts work together with the LBs (we have the most talented LB core we have ever had) and defensive backfield (4+1) (again, the most talented we have had in a decade, if ever). Each element plays a role, and the Ducks recognize this as evidenced by the internal system of replacement we saw in the DLine this past year. Each position group needs to employ replacements because many times a defense can't seem to get off the field (and the overall defense becomes worn down and cannot effectively stop the offense). In Coach Lannings' third season we have those replacements in all three of the defensive areas. Still, they have to understand the defensive system, and then prove it in practice and scrimmages (tests). This is the year Coach Lanning and his coordinators (and Asst coaches and analysts) step forward and raise their hands to select, train, apply and lead the players into and out from the breach. Leaders lead mentally and by example, and leaders make adjustments to create and exploit success. Now, the refining, training and proofing to establish the system and conditions of replacement will take place - maybe in the office/classroom or on the practice field where the players take turns explaining the what and why to each other followed by the contingencies and the conditions that trigger those contingencies. I believe the Ducks' coaches organize and do this as well as (or better) than any team I have seen. What else is there? The scheme and understanding, the teamwork if you will, by which the coordinators apply their art and human capital to create conditions. I believe Coach Lanning (CL) to be darned close to a defensive whiz (not brilliant/not a genius) as far as his use of stratagems and timing (but he failed in the 2d half of the Ducks-Beavers game two seasons ago, and again last season in the championship game when he did not have an effective plan to stop the Husky off-tackle run game we experienced in the UW-USC game.) CL is not perfect, but he uses his coordinators very well, and he has two great combinations in his current offense/defense Coord staff as well as a determined Spec Teams Coordinator who has experienced greatness in his specialty (but not lately), and we have very good kickers. punters, and return specialists. CL understands we set the conditions to win up front, on the lines. Now, building the team and the refining of the Offense, Defense, & Spec Teams continues. VR, KCDuck1 Go, Fight, Win Ducks, Win!

Jon and OBD, Yes, tOSU closed the open end of the Horseshoe (OSU football stadium) and built seats there several years ago; regardless, there are still tens of thousands of OSU fans that will not be able to afford or to garner a ticket to see one of the Buckeyes' games live. Let's hope the Ducks experience a similar problem within the next five years. But, that is the B1G. Just visit the Big House in Ann Arbor. You might ask as you walk past or into the stadium whether this is a new structure. Well, it looks like it! But, that is how many of the B1G universities maintain their stadiums. Just watch (and count the participants) of their marching bands. This is another investment where the Ducks have only dabbled (even though our Sports facilities and School of Music (among many of the other schools) are light-years beyond what they were 40 years ago). Our first year in the B1G is going to be an eye-opener for all of us - the newbies and those institutions that have been sitting on their duffers in the B1G conference. They have us academically, but we have been improving by leaps-and-bounds, and will continue to do so. tOSU seems to have not withheld any monies this year in their drive to gain the best players and Asst/Coords coaches. So now, it's our mission to beat the Buckeyes and win (against every other team against whom we compete, too). We want their best game to be their Spring game. This year, even Idaho might have its' best team in years! Ducks of Oregon, leave no stone unturned. Go-Fight-Win! This is going to be a fun season! Fortunately, we have the coaches, players, staff and analyst support and fans for which most people can only wish. VR, KCDuck1

OBD, Most college football fans out here in Kansas and Missouri are surprised Isaiah Mozee signed at this time with Oregon. He is well regarded out here in KC, and he will be fun to watch play. When he gets the ball, he fights to get into the end zone. Isaiah's dad played running back on an Oklahoma Natl Championship team around or about 1999. So, one can imagine OU was working hard to sign Isaiah. Isaiah remarked at least once that his dad was great at figuring out which recruiters/coaches were fake and which were genuine. My guess is Dan Lanning was considered genuine. VR, KCDuck1

Kirklandduck, Thank you for posting the FootballScoop.com article discussing Coach Luper (U of Missouri RBs coach) and his remarks and thoughts WRT Coach Lock's rather frivolous comments that college football RBs coaches have the worst job among all the football coaches, or words to that effect. Coach Luper's comments could be summarized as, How would Locklyn know? He has only coached RBs for three years; but, maybe he has it wired. BTW, Coach Luper was voted RBs Coach of the Year for 2023 by previous winners. Coach Luper added the following, " "If you look at the National Football League in terms of the devaluing of that position [RBs], it became abundantly clear it was devalued and is devalued. It has become a quarterback league. How many will make it to their second contract? Not many. It was a running back league, it's not anymore. The game has changed. But because the game has changed, the running back is asked to do more," Luper said. "There's a lot more asked of the position, and so there's a lot more asked of the running back coaches. There's a lot more to it than when they turned around and pitched him the football. "Offenses are more complex, more multiple. Defenses are, too," Luper continued. "Back in the day it was toss left, toss right. Iso. Now there's checks at the line of scrimmage -- pass to run, run to pass, five man protection to six, six man protection to five. My running back was on the field every down last year, regardless of the formation. More is asked of the position. They need to know blitzes, blitz keys, coverages; defenses are playing man on one side, zone on the other. My guys stay on the field for three downs, and most do. We still have to get first downs, touchdowns, and protect the football. You have to have smart players and coach them up." This fall, Missouri's Cody Schrader, a Division II transfer, led the SEC in rushing while also becoming the first player in conference history to amass 200 rushing yards and 100 receiving yards in the same game. "Most of the men I mentioned are not playing with 5-star running backs. It's really obvious to see how many yards a running back has," Luper said. "It's really obvious to see that Ollie Gordon at Oklahoma State led the nation in yards. You have to look closer to see how well coached they were. They don't fumble, they don't give up sacks. They're aware." This fall will be Luper's 30th in coaching. He's coached running backs continuously since 2002, with stops at New Mexico, Oklahoma State, Auburn, TCU, and now Missouri. Prior winners selected him as the FootballScoop Running Backs Coach of the Year in 2023. "Maybe (Locklyn) has it all figured out in three years," Luper quipped." -- Coach Luper I suggest to OBD that Coach Lock has a lot to learn, still. How about his successor? Perhaps the Ducks DID hire an upgrade. We'll know soon. Thanks and VR, KCDuck1

Coach Lock, Where's the beef? Really? Don't let that "money" cancer eat you alive personally or professionally. Most of us thought you were better than that, and now we know you are not. May I suggest you get that petty resentment out of your professional soul before you display any more to others in the East. VR, KCDuck1

Jon Joseph noted, "...Coach Samples's Dad is the coach at Texas powerhouse HS Duncanville." Who even knew? Well Jon knew. Who could have foreseen this association. The Ducks are trying to sign the 2025 #1 Receiver, who has "committed" to LSU, but is still being recruited by the Ducks and others. This receiver has phenomenal capabilities. Still, he is interested, but the LSU coaches haven't just assumed they have him locked up. They have a great recruiting class, and currently, it looks very good. Who knows, both the Ducks and LSU might meet on the field of competition this year. The Ducks may not get the receiver, but it is nice to have a potential link into the currently #1 program (talent-wise) in TX. That available talent changes every year, but great coaching does not change. Coach Lanning - thank you. You seem to have brought the Duck family another great coach. You might consider sending Coach Dillingham a bottle of vintage Dom Perignon for New Years, regardless. Win, Ducks, Win! VR, KCDuck1

Mudslide, OK, Looks like you may have found another viable candidate - Newland Isaac - for RB Coach consideration. Let's see what Coach Lanning says. VR, KCDuck1

NJDuck, Coach Samples sounds very good to me. I hated losing Coach Locklyn to Ohio State, but Locklyn's loss & hire speaks to the high quality of the current Duck coaches. Samples may only be with us as the RB coach for a year or two, but his description is loaded with value-added terms. This is the right kind of coach for the Ducks - iron sharpens iron - a coach who teaches the RBs to be leaders in their thinking, Prep, and on the field. Isn't that exactly what we want all our Duck coaches to exemplify? If only the Ducks' women's BB head coach could be so. ;-)) VR, KCDuck1

WiseKwacker, I am thick-headed today; would you please explain the "Ticonderoga, baby!!"? Thanks! VR,KCDuck1