Charles Fischer

And here is what the insider at South Carolina had to say! ------------------------------------------------ Monday Afternoon Harbor Intel by Tony Morrell I know everyone is awaiting the decision of Washington (D.C) Archbishop Carroll five-star athlete Nyckoles Harbor, who will announce his college choice on Wednesday around 10:00 AM live on ESPN. The 6-foot-5, 230 pounder took his final official visit of the process over the weekend to Oregon, and there is some optimism on the side of the Ducks where Harbor is concerned given the combination of football, track, and the Nike connection they have to offer him. Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer and multiple assistant coaches conducted their in-home visit with Harbor last week before his trip to Eugene. Harbor has a strong relationship with several South Carolina commitments and has been on campus multiple times, both officially and unofficially. Up to this point in the process, Harbor and his family have done a great job of keeping everyone who is following his recruitment in suspense. It seems sources at South Carolina, Oregon, and Michigan are all feeling some sense of optimism, and nobody in the recruiting world seems to have a firm grasp on which school Harbor will choose tomorrow. Two sources I spoke with Monday believe it will be South Carolina or Oregon in the end. My information indicates the Gamecocks staff has the best connection with Harbor and his family and that there is a high level of trust between the two parties. Harbor in a Gamecock uniform Beamer and Co. (South Carolina head coach) have also outworked the schools to land Harbor, and the Harbor family has noted their efforts. While NIL is certainly a part of his decision, it is not the driving force. It is more about branding and opportunities to build his reputation over the course of his career, both in football and track. While crazier things have happened, going from Washington D.C. to Eugene, Oregon, after only visiting one time seems unlikely on the surface given how tight-knit the Harbor family is, and it does not sound like a family move across the country is likely with his father having job specific to D.C. Certainly, things could change, but it sounds like the suspense will carry over all the way up to his announcement, and everyone will find out at the same time where he is taking his talents, but my feeling is still that the Gamecocks have the best chance to land him as of this writing. As such, I am entering a crystal ball prediction for South Carolina based on the entirety of my information, even though this is not a scenario where I know for sure where he is headed. It is just my best guess after speaking with as many sources as I could. Harbor will play football and run track at whichever school he chooses. He is capable of playing on either side of the ball on the gridiron, but all indications are he wants his primary position to be on the offensive side. Harbor is considered the nation's No. 1 athlete and the No. 19 overall prospect in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

This is from an insider for a Maryland Pay-Site as of noonish today. ------------------------------------------------ What I'm Hearing as Five-Star Nyckoles Harbor Enters Decision Time by Jeff Ermann Nyckoles Harbor is wrapping up his visit to Oregon and taking the long trek back to Maryland. For the Terps, that long journey -- about an eight-hour trip that inevitably includes at least one connecting flight -- is one of the biggest points of hope. Harbor is big on the local DMV scene, so in my estimation, after discussions with several sources at schools recruiting him and others with close personal insight about his family's process, it will largely come down to whether the pull of Oregon's rich track setup and close connections to the Nike marketing machine is strong enough to lure him farther away than he previously considered going. From what I've gathered, Maryland entered the weekend with hopes of getting the five-star local athlete, but also concerned that Oregon has made a big surge. Other sources close to Harbor's family have indicated that NIL and marketing have taken on an increasing role during the past six to eight weeks, as I previously reported in December. That's not to say Maryland isn't competitive in those aspects, because the Terps do have built a solid program in that aspect -- but if it comes down primarily to those criteria, it's hard for anyone to compete with Oregon's familial Nike connections and world-class track facility. Michigan and South Carolina also remain in the mix. Michigan is cautiously optimistic, and I'm told his parents are fond of that program and the academics there. South Carolina media and apparently Shane Beamer are confident, but other sources close to his recruitment there and others don't seem as optimistic that the Gamecocks are players. Harbor in a Maryland uniform All told, no one, perhaps even Harbor and his family, knows where he's going. About a month ago, before the Oregon push, he was clearly Maryland's to lose. If I had to put percentages on it now, purely from those conversations and my gut feeling right now, I'd probably give Oregon a 50% chance, Maryland a 35% chance and the other two a combined 15%. But no outcome would shock me. if it came down strictly to comfort, it likely would be Maryland. If it came down strictly to marketing and track offerings, it would be Oregon. If academics were the lone priority, it would likely be Michigan. And the buzz a few months ago was that South Carolina was the favorite, so maybe they've fooled everyone outside of Columbia and quietly stayed in pole position? The bottom line, it's largely going to come down to whether Harbor, after getting a taste of what Oregon has to offer but also the travel involved in getting there -- decides he's willing to go that far away. I'm told his mom doesn't love the idea of that distance and was not on the trip, on which Harbor had about five other guests with him. But his father is more involved in the decision-making process. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- I understand that this roller-coaster gives many indigestion, but I find it exciting and fun. My FishDuck Friends....we are in the good-or-good scenario. The Dan-man has landed a supreme high school and portal recruiting class, and this is just....

What I do like about Stein's offense that I've heard from other sources, is how he likes to throw deep downfield often during a game. Power-running to bring more defenders in the box, and then get the one-one-one matchups on the WRs. Fun article Joshua, and THANKS.

It is interesting also that he was pictured in a chrome helmet, as I don't think we've used that helmet since the Rose Bowl for the 2019 season? A beautiful lid...

I was worried, as one report indicated he might wait with his announcement until after his High School Track season. Glad to know one way or the other soon enough... A pay-site that is pretty plugged in thinks our major competition is Maryland, because of great relationships between their coaches and Harbor and because of the distance. Maryland is close, and Oregon is not.

The Tag-Team of Cristobal/Arroyo held Justin Herbert down better than defense in the NFL!

You are being very kind. I was oblivious to it all, and frankly am not as sympathetic as many are towards them. Only Red China tries to break into my site as many times as Ukraine, and the removal of all political parties there (except for the ruling one) confuses me as to who is actually worse to their people between their government, and their current opponent. And a Ukrainian SEO company got me to do a boatload of work...and then would not pay me as all others do. Not a bunch of nice people in my view, thus why I am not worried about the proper reference to them. But this can get into politics, so I better stop.

Working for the Devil you know?

I think he is a shooting guard as well. It is Cousinard who is the point, and with 18 points last night--can also score.

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?