KCDuck1

ElPatoUO, Thanks for your note. I'll take your camp-measured data any day before data from some sports journalist who may not even know how to effectively use a measuring tape. They don't care about Josiah, the Ducks, or anyone but their own position - well, they might care about their family - might. Not sure why DL likes Odom, what they see in him; he may be like someone they invest in and who develops and exceeds expectations, or, it's JAG. Perhaps we'll see down the road. If he is going to become more than JAG, let's hope he is a Duck. If he is like our former player that transferred to a state school in Michigan, then please stay with tOSU. The D-Lineman I have not heard a great deal about lately is a player from Mater Dei in Santa Ana; he is good enough to excel at D-or O Lineman. He is a Poly, about 6'3", and he is quick and aggressive. He has won best lineman in camps on both sides of the ball. This guy isn't huge but is strong and twitchy, and he is a difference-maker. We have been on him, but so is SC. He would be a phenomenal addition for either team, or other teams in the East. Thanks for the correction and VR, KCDuck1

Drake, That is one heckuva horse! I can see the rider is strapped in, but he is doing a good job riding with the horse. Without those restraints, he is taking a short ride to the moon. Thanks and VR, KCDuck1

Steven A and other OBD Fans, Steven A has put a solid and deep boot into the blue ball area of ewe dub, and it causes me to grin. I don't care about tOSU and/or USA Today recruiting articles. They don't intend to assist OBD to accrue any balance of ability and advantage, and they don't wish us well. Now, back to ewe dub. Those ewe dub "rascals" had bedeviled OBD for a number of decades, and they have used many under-handed means [as coaching Reps and administrators] to do so. Now, our wonderful coaching/recruiting staff is doing an incredible job (and the other sports coaching staffs on campus are learning from them). One thing we can surmise about our competitors at ewe dub, they will be back - get ready to hammer them, just as we must prepare to out-think and out-work tOSU (that other OSU). Anyone can work hard - we must out-think them and work smart! I copied an internet release by On3 Sports, and it lays out how the cornucopia has been tipped onto OBDs this past week with so many great young men choosing publicly to become Fightin' Ducks. Read below. Suggest you read what the recruits have said. The young man who seemed most spot-on is Jordon Davison. Jordon described OBD's coaches approach: "They’re very consistent on how they were recruited me. I wouldn’t even say they recruited me. They just build relationships and they truly care and they continue to be a part of me and my family.” That says it all. Davison and Sharma were headed to Texas until DL threw a lasoo around them. "Oregon stayed hot on the recruiting trail on Saturday morning as it landed a commitment from Derby (Kan.) four-star tight end DaSaahn Brame. The Ducks beat out Tennessee for commitment No. 6 this month. Brame is now the the third top-100 commit in the mix for Dan Lanning and Co. as he checks in at No. 98 overall and No. 3 at the TE position in the On3 Industry Ranking. With a commitment from Brame, the Ducks jumped one spot and now have the No. 5 class in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. After inking the No. 3 class last cycle, Oregon is on pace to finish in a similar position come December." “It’s the players there. Definitely the offense that they run, I think I fit their offense more than I fit Tennessee’s offense,” Brame said of his decision to On3’s Chad Simmons. “That’s really a big thing for me, and just like the commitment that the players and coaches have to make each other better. They all have the same mindset that they’re trying to win a national championship.” Oregon now has 13 commits in its class. Only Ohio State, Alabama, LSU and Georgia check in ahead of the new Big Ten program, as of June 29. Ducks land Top Targets on both Sides of the Ball "Brame is the third commitment for Oregon in the last 24 hours. Sacramento Folsom four-star defensive lineman and On3 top-100 recruit Josiah Sharma chose the Ducks over Texas on Friday and was quickly flanked by a commitment from Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei four-star running back Jordon Davison. Davison is the No. 96 overall prospect and No. 5 RB in the On3 Industry Ranking. “They show a whole bunch of love, you know?” Davison told On3. They’re very consistent on how they were recruited me. I wouldn’t even say they recruited me. They just build relationships and they truly care and they continue to be a part of me and my family.” Tampa Bay Tech five-star wide receiver Dallas Wilson continues to headline the class as a top-30 recruit and top-five wideout in the nation. San Diego (Calif.) Lincoln four-star quarterback Akili Smith Jr., Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei four-star linebacker Nasir Wyatt and Belleville (Ill.) Althoff Catholic four-star athlete Dierre Hill bolster the top of the class as top-175 recruits. Also currently committed to the Ducks are Lee’s Summit (Mo.) North four-star receiver Isaiah Mozee, Concord (Calif.) De La Salle four-star defensive lineman Matthew Johnson and Scottsdale (Ariz.) Notre Dame Prep four-star receiver Cooper Perry. Tampa Sumner four-star offensive tackle Ziyare Addison pledged to the Ducks on June 10. Four-star athlete Brandon Finney joined the class earlier this week." I remain VR, KCDuck1 Go Ducks! Win Ducks, Win!

Drake, Thanks! Trajen may just be "Just a Guy"; we'll see. He could become more if he is willing to work his buns off. I agree with your inference about Josiah Sharma - Josiah is so young to be as big and quick as he is. Josiah is only 6'3.5" tall; he may grow another inch or so in heighth. Once Josiah gets onto a rigorous weight training program and sprints/stairs and all the other agility drills D-linemen have opportunities to perform, he may actually become quicker with his first step, hands, and his execution of moves. If Josiah signs his NLI with Oregon, he has an opportunity to become exceptionally good if he continues his pace of development. I don't think he'll be JAG. I was surprised the Ducks picked up the RB's commitment (from Mater Dei in Santa Ana, CA.) Five weeks ago, our Ducks were outside looking in. Coach Samples has been very handy in recruiting our RBs this year. We may not pick up Dakorian (Moore, I believe) and Duncanville's QB, just as we missed on Simmons (Edge, UT) last year, but D'ville will have some more good players coming down the road. Perhaps the HC of D'ville will steer us toward them. Coach Samples has been gold. What a hire, so far. Thanks again for explaining JAG, and I remain VR, KCDuck1

ElPatoUO, You wrote, "...he always seemed like a JAG to me." I only speak two languages, and one of those two is not college-level football recruiting. May I please inquire what JAG is? I am absolutely sure it is not 'Judge Advocate General'. I was disappointed when Odom selected tOSU, and I suspect his decision was heavily influenced by his family, much like Elijah Rushings' initial decision to commit to Arizona. The Ducks kept those communications channel open (they get to know the family as well as the player), and eventually, Elijah changed his commitment. I have no doubt that unless the various players we might have missed on shut us down, our coaches will continue to talk with the players and their families until they request otherwise and/or sign a NLI. Remember Dante Moore (QB). Eventually, he returned to the Ducks when the Ducks kept the Comms channels open and focused on relationships. BTW, believe Rushings' older brother joined the team last Spring. Looking forward to an even better year by the D/O/& ST. Thanks and VR, KCDuck1

Steven A. $4.7 Billion, and not $4.7 Trillion. Still, that will motivate them to be more than careful this next time. Naaah, they'll just charge more and be more careful about it. The management (and many players) are very arrogant. Thanks and VR, KCDuck1

That was such a fun game to watch. If one is an O-Line afficionado/fan and/or a running back (RB) fan, what a game to watch! The Duck O-Line personnel are not only doing a great job blocking, but they are all great athletes in terrific condition. Most of the holding is SC D-LIne and LB holding; they just can't move fast enough to get off the blocks. That speaks to the SC lack of quickness and correct hand placement; and, the SC D-line players are sucking wind (although not like the LSU D-line was sucking wind when the Ducks played them in Arlington, but LSU did win that game - too many mistakes by our young players). Thanks for posting that video. Those were some great memories. VR, KCDuck1

For Those Fans of OBD Who may have had Difficulty Opening the Spun.com Site to Review Phil Steele's Heisman Prognostication, Phil selected Dillon Gabriel as the number one leader. Carson Beck of UGA and Jalen Milroe of UA were second and third, respectively. VR, KCDuck1

Drake, Simeon Birnbaum is really a terrific athlete. He was the Gatorade National T&F Athlete of the Year, and if he did not have a stress-related fracture in his tibia region, he would be running in at least the NON and/or the US U20 championships (there are four different championships this week). Another one to watch is Ben Hill. Ben is the U20 National Champ in the shot put with a throw of over 67' (he has thrown 75'). He will be a Duck freshman on the track team. Another Duck freshman from Tenn (a decathlete) just came back at the US U20 Champs with a personal record exceeding 7200 points. I believe the Duck women will once again score in T&F (indoor/outdoor) in the top four (or higher), and I believe the men should make the Top 7 this next year - we'll see. We have some of the best coaches in the US (Blutreich in the throws) and Shalane in the Women's running, and many more. We are doing much better than it seems, but there is a long way to go, still. VR, KCDuck1

WRT the Ducks Women's BB Head Coach, Regardless what he says, it all starts at the top. That is where the rotten plums are located. The leadership, approach, the communication, the teaching, the BB dynamics, the mental and physical discipline, and the teamwork: it all starts with him. It was created and he let it pour through his hands. Very few coaches ever get a do-over. We'll see. VR, KCDuck1

Home | TrackDucks TRACKDUCKS.BOARDS.NET Visit our forum at: trackducks.boards.net VR, 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