Charles Fischer

Dana recruited a ton of players to see who could play--but most were injured for the first two-thirds of the season. Now we see how everything changes when Cousinard and Barthelemy are healthy, and Richardson can play off someone else being the point guard. It helps to sit Soares, who is a terrible shooter, and now we see the emergence of Nate Bittle making the hustle plays that win games. I am fine with sitting Ware, as we've played well without him. There was something about Ware's court demeanor that seemed recognizable...but I could not put my finger on it. Then it hit me a day later--it is the same blah presence, the same detachment that Ty Thompson has when he is in a game. Agree? Jermaine Cousinard

Great memories, but also I recall how with leg room so cramped....my knees would be killing me by the end of a game.

That is a long, stunning list of recruits this weekend with the majority for future years, where our coaches are building the long-term relationships. But the athlete from Oakland, California, is a new name to me. This feels like somebody that who’s been cruising under the radar, and our coaches may see some upside.

WW, (and gosh, I love that handle name!) this to me, is one guy I don’t think will be threatened that much by the de-recruitment process, because he appears to be a very smart fellow, with a very stable family structure, and because he has other options such as track. For him, his time at Oregon, and is truly “good or good” in terms of the sports. He could become one of the most celebrated athletes at University of Oregon if he chooses to.

Very true KCDuck, my Duck-Brother. That is another part of this puzzle that is befuddling to me. If that entire family group comes back excited about Oregon, is she going to throw cold water on it? To me, all of this drama and questions adds to the entertainment value, and the excitement of the announcements on Wednesday. Considering all that Oregon has to offer, and the fact that we were the last visit within days of the signing date, it would favor us. But another phenomenon in recruiting that the savvy experienced analysts will refer to, is how the distance factor doesn’t really show up until crunch time in the last two days of deciding. The realization of that long flight back, may make distance a major factor. Another factor is how he has a girlfriend that is running track at South Carolina, and one Oregon site moderator has noted that girlfriends have won recruiting battles every single time in the past. Another negative factor, is how the mother is so sold on Michigan. The parents usually win the recruiting final decision, as that was the major reason we lost Hicks to Texas ATM. Yes, Oregon checks all of Harbor‘s boxes better than any school, by a mile. Thus this recruitment is quite interesting, entertaining, and befuddling!

As Pennsylvania Duck posted in another thread, (Don't you all love her?!) the prize recruit is most certainly in Eugene.

For the latest updates...see the bottom of this thread. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Over on one of the Oregon pay-sites--a member has gone to message boards/forums of other schools recruiting the 5-Star athlete, and it sure seems confusing... South Carolina fans/mods are confident in securing him with Oregon coming in second. Maryland fans/mods are confident, with South Carolina coming second. Michigan fans/mods are confident, with Maryland coming second. A Maryland 247 insider puts it at 50/50 between Oregon and Maryland. The Michigan On3 mod thinks he is Oregon's to lose. As one Oregon site stated..."His dad, sister, aunt, uncle and four other members of his family/circle will be with him in Eugene all weekend." Wowza. This is one big sales-job! And one 247 analyst felt that Phil and Penny donating a Billion to OHSU is important, as Harbor wants to be a doctor later? (Not sure if that fits, but...) Who knows where this is going? It sure adds to the mystery/entertainment element! Wednesday will be exciting!

A TALL QB prospect at age 15? We did well with a recent tall QB who had bloodlines to a former Oregon player...great to see.

From 247.... Following Oregon’s home win over Oregon State on Dec. 31, Altman paid a backhanded compliment to the freshman, noting that Ware had played with energy in that game and “at least acted like he wanted to be here tonight.” Yikes.

It's like he's been told he is a first-rounder...and he is waiting now for it to happen. With his skills--he could be dominating if he had the fire within him. This could impact his NBA selection, I would think.

Sounds perfect for the "Money" linebacker position Lanning has in his Mint 4-2-5 defense that Bassa currently plays in.

I had to take a quick break from my morning workload to share this, as when I read it a few hours ago--I was blown away on many levels for the team, and for Ware and his future. The morning paper in Eugene has an article by Chris Hansen who wrote of how Kel'el Ware has just 10 points, one rebound and two blocks (total) for his last three games. His time on court has been reduced, and in the last six games--hasn't played more than 15 minutes in any of those contests--whether the Ducks needed him or not. From Dana Altman in the article: "We've had a lot of conversations and they haven't gone as well as we want them to be. So, he going to have to make some adjustments or I've got to make some decisions. His time has been reduced, and that doesn't help us because he is talented. But he hasn't blocked any shots lately, he hasn't got his hands on any balls, and he's not using that length." "You know, we still gotta try to put the best team out there that gives us the best chance. If he's playing hard, that would help us. If not, that hurts us."

Wow! The experience in the secondary is going to be tremendous. Bridges, Manning and the Alabama transfer at corner, the senior Fresno State transfer and now this two-year starter at safety? I guess Miami/Mario wanted him too!

EUGENE, Ore. — Oregon football head coach Dan Lanning added to his 2023 coaching staff on Wednesday with the hiring of Chris Hampton as the Ducks’ new co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach. Hampton comes to Eugene after spending the last two seasons as the defensive coordinator at Tulane, helping guide the Green Wave to a 12-2 overall record in 2022 and a win over USC in the Cotton Bowl. “We are thrilled to welcome Chris to the Oregon family,” Lanning said. “Chris brings a wealth of experience as a former player, defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator, and he has an excellent track record of teaching and developing defensive players. He has a terrific work ethic, and his ability to build relationships will help our student-athletes thrive both on the football field and as men. We are looking forward to seeing Chris pour into our program and help us reach new heights.” Hampton spent four seasons (2016-19) as Tulane’s defensive backs coach before leaving to be the cornerbacks coach at Duke in 2020, after which he returned to Tulane to take over as defensive coordinator. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Arkansas State in 2008, and followed that up with two seasons (2009-10) in the same role at Georgia Tech. Hampton went to Central Arkansas as the safeties coach in 2011, and then spent four seasons (2012-15) as the defensive backs coach at McNeese State before joining Tulane. “I am excited to work for and represent the University of Oregon,” Hampton said. “I am extremely thankful for the opportunity provided by Coach Lanning and the Oregon administration. I believe in what Coach Lanning and the rest of the staff are building in Eugene. I can’t wait to get to work with the student-athletes and help Oregon compete for championships.” Hampton engineered a remarkable defensive turnaround during his two-year stint as Tulane’s defensive coordinator. The Green Wave jumped up 82 spots to No. 32 in the scoring defense (22.2 PPG) in 2022, and 55 spots up to No. 46 in total defense (360.4 YPG). The biggest improvement came in the passing defense, where Tulane went from No. 115 in 2020 prior to Hampton’s return to No. 37 in 2022 (208.1 YPG). Linebackers Dorian Williams and Nick Anderson headlined Hampton’s 2022 defense. Williams ranked 10th in the nation with 131 total tackles, and Anderson tied for 27th with 110. Williams earned all-ACC first-team honors after adding 8.5 tackles for loss and five sacks, while Anderson landed on the second team along with defensive linemen Darius Hodges and Patrick Jenkins. Prior to leaving for Duke in 2020, Hampton guided a 2019 Tulane defensive backs unit that ranked third in the AAC with 12 interceptions, led by four from safety Larry Brooks. Safeties Chase Kuerschen (76) and P.J. Hall (68) led the team in tackles, and combined for four interceptions, 11 pass breakups, 6.0 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. Hampton directed one of the nation’s most disruptive pass defenses in 2018, as the Green Wave led the nation with 76 passes broken up and tied for second with 88 passes defended. In a showdown with East Carolina, Hampton’s defensive back unit was largely responsible for an NCAA-record 20 pass breakups. Following his unit’s impressive 2018 season, Hampton was national recognized on the American Football Coaches Association 35 Under 35 list. Hampton’s first two seasons at Tulane were headlined by the development of cornerback Parry Nickerson. After earning second-team all-AAC honors in 2016, Nickerson accounted for six of nine interceptions by Green Wave cornerbacks and was named the all-AAC first team. In four seasons as defensive backs coach at McNeese State, Hampton coached six defensive backs to all-Southland Conference honors. Wallace Scott was the conference defensive player of the year and an FCS all-American in 2015, and Hampton also coached Aaron Sam, Brent Spikes and Guy Morgan to the all-AAC first team. In 2014, Spikes made history with three interceptions and a conference record 148 return yards vs. Incarnate Word. Hampton played college football at South Carolina, where he was a four-year letter-winner and a two-year starter at safety. Hampton, who graduated in 2007 with a degree in criminology, was awarded South Carolina’s Harold White Award as the player with the highest grade point average.

Boy what a bad look for the conference in this article on many levels...whew! What will Larry do?

I saw the same blitzes run by Georgia in the 'Natty that were devastating, but when Oregon ran the same ones...not the same result. I think it is more the players last year, and their inexperience with what they were learning?

It is my belief that Lanning approaches the DC play-calling as he did the entire defense this last year. As DazeNconfused and I wrote about, (he'll be back but has some computer issues) Lanning checked what he had, tried to run the defenses he wanted early in the season, and when it failed--he switched to a high percentage approach. (Cover-2, and simulated pressures with only four rushing) I believe that Lanning knew of Lupoi's need to learn play-calling, thus Powledge and Lanning were there to help. I believe the same format is being applied with the new hire, thus the "Co-Defensive Coordinator" title given Hampton, as Powledge had. Lupoi is a powerful defensive line recruiter, as he has helped to attract the most talent ever recruited to Oregon at one time, thus his value to the staff is immeasurable. Like the 2022 defense, you find a way to make it work for now, and gradually--it will all get better. It starts with bringing in the talent, and Tosh is doing that. Over time Lupoi will improve, and he has Hampton and Lanning "helping" him with the play-calls. Again...this is all speculation on my part, but one that appears to be connecting the obvious dots. It is what I would do if I wanted one of the of the best recruiters in the college game on my staff. Reap the benefits of his skills, and help overcome his weaknesses. Great article David!

That guy can't keep his head straight; Dickey is not and has never been a 5-Star on Rivals. (I wish he was...) Jurrion Dickey | DuckSportsAuthority N.RIVALS.COM Jurrion Dickey - 4 Star Wide receiver for Oregon on DuckSportsAuthority

Never, has it been this loaded. I thank the coaches for creating depth never seen at Oregon before on the defensive line...

Yep, and Jurrion Dickey is still a 4-Star on Rivals. It is harder on Rivals, and has been consistent for over 20 years and no other rating service has that consistency, IMHO.

There can be more than three options on this play, and this new offense requires a QB who can make good decisions. Glad we got Bo this year!

Sewell in the 3rd round? Whew!

Amen Duck-Brother. For the number of global fans...Oregon is No. 7 among all college teams. Shouldn't we have the 7th best payout? Now that is between Oregon and the Pac-12, but it is also dependent upon the metric used. I want the games on both mediums, even if we get nominal income from streaming at first. The point is--we will pick up more and more viewers on streaming over time, and that becomes the most important. It is the best way to leverage our No. 7 in the world, (Streaming) and we are not right now with just a "Media Market" metric. Oregon has more fans globally than USC...more than Alabama....more than Georgia! Only streaming can fully take advantage of that! Get BOTH mediums going...TV and streaming. (As Bill Walton would say....PLEASE) Where are the Oregon Ducks in study of largest college football fan bases? | Ducks Wire DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM The Ducks have one of the biggest fan bases in the nation. But where do they stack up among the most beloved teams in college football?

This is extremely well researched and presented, with some very surprising observations and conclusions about the Will Stein offense.

That quote from the father must indicate that the in-home meeting with Coach Lanning went pretty well. It is a perfect launching for what they see in their visit here next weekend!