The Kamikaze Kid Moderator No. 1 Share Posted January 3 If the future path of Oregon Duck football was in your hands, which path would you choose? A. All in next year (12-0) at the expense of the future. Go full bore portal. Toss around bags of cash like monopoly money and bring in the biggest names at all positions. Instantly be a final four level team. Have that one special season but watch all of the young studs that have been waiting their turn bolt in a mass exodus. B. .Portal in some starters. You make the playoffs next year (10-2) but as a lower seed around 6-10. Maybe you make a final four run but maybe you don't. Some 4-5 star guys leave but some stay. The future looks similar down the road. Always in the playoffs but never a favorite. C. Let the kids develop. Portal in positions that don't have future high level guys waiting in the wings. Let the currant guys take over starting spots and gain playing experience and grow through out the season. We take a step back (8-4), don't make the playoffs but the next wave of 4-5 star recruits flood in and the future looks very bright. D. You tell me your own idea that you'd like to see happen. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kamikaze Kid Author Moderator No. 2 Share Posted January 3 I'd lean somewhere between B and C. I'd like to see the guys we've recruited take over most spots but wouldn't mind some Tez and Bo level players coming in and dominating their positions even if a few players left. I hope the portal becomes more of a patchwork tool than a roster builder in the future. Part of what I love about college sports is development of the kids over the years as they grow into adults. I remember freshman Freddie Jones missing two free throws at the end of a game that cost the Ducks a rare chance to beat Arizona. Flash forward three years and Senior Freddie Jones leads the Ducks to a thirty point beat down of Arizona on the way towards a PAC 10 title, an elite eight appearance and first round number ten draft selection. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cartm25 No. 3 Share Posted January 3 (edited) It's a tough question because perception of the program, its trajectory and "vibe", being judged by high schoolers is a very fickle matter. I agree with you on some combination of B & C - quality, depth, and continuity (huge emphasis on continuity) will be best. I can't shake what Colin Cowherd has mentioned multiple times on his show recently; so many times now that I trust his research team has the number right: "The year Michigan/Harbaugh won the national championship, Michigan had two 5-star recruits on their entire team, and Alabama had 18." Michigan's defense was unstoppable that year. Don't get me wrong, I would never want Michigan's style/brand of offense, but what if Oregon could duplicate that Michigan team's success on defense? Oregon would be national champs for sure. Edited January 3 by cartm25 1 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
30Duck Moderator No. 4 Share Posted January 3 Yeah, a combo of B & C seems to be the best bet. Every team likes what they saw and saw a future in the players they recruited, so let's see that future play out. If a portal player is available, "Any linebacker's out there?" welcome. But if some LB's were recruited, they should turn into the players we want. Ohio State doesn't have to bother with this decision; they've built up such an elite roster that they really do just pick a player up in the Portal when they want to. That's what happens when you're in the top 3 recruiting classes for the last 20 years or so. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Fischer Administrator No. 5 Share Posted January 3 The extensive use of the portal--as Oregon has done is new. Between Lanning building the roster with very young Blue-Chip talent, and adding plug-in transfers, I would suggest that we really do not know the "formula" yet for approaching the blend of HS vs. Portal talent. Dano made us uber-competitive NOW, with portal transfers as he waits for his young recruiting classes to mature. What the blend is going forward--is unknown. What I will say is that we are taking fewer HS recruits this year, and will have around 10 transfers. (Plus or minus) With fewer portal transfers, so he is indirectly signaling to us that he will gradually wean the roster from very many portal transfers in the future? This HS Recruit is EXPLOSIVE...the Next Tez? Dierre Hill 1 1 2 Mr. FishDuck Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeotechDuck No. 6 Share Posted January 4 (edited) Here is my honest opinion. I don’t see A as a viable option. Oregon might only have 4-6 returning starters on both sides of the ball combined. There are a ton of holes to fill and I don’t believe stacking talent from the portal is going to get them to 13-0 next year. It takes time to learn the playbook, gel, align with team culture, and execute as a true team. If you are plugging a few holes with high quality transfers, then I think you have a great shot (osu2 this year). If you are trying to do that with the majority of the starting positions on your roster (Colorado model), I don’t see that getting you to the promise land in the BIG. At some point you have to start developing your younger blue chip players. IMO, Oregon is a long shot for the playoffs next year, so now is the time to get these highly talented underclassmen some experience and see who steps up. I like where we are headed with 6-10 transfers competing with our existing talent for starting positions. I think Dan is right on track with this. We should be in great position to make another run in 2026. Edited January 4 by GeotechDuck 1 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EagleScoutJim No. 7 Share Posted January 4 Gosh, I guess I’m just an optimistic homer, but I think we WILL make the playoffs again next year, though maybe not as the undefeated #1 seed. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeotechDuck No. 8 Share Posted January 4 (edited) Oregon loses so much, I think it is going to take some time next year to fill all the gaps and get going. That game at Penn State is going to be very difficult to win considering our situation. I hope I am wrong. Defense: DB- Lose all 5 starting DBs, including nickel and 8 of 10 on the current 2 deep. Complete overhaul. LB - Lose both starting LBs and 3 of 4 on the two deep. Complete overhaul. DL - Lose 3 of 4 on the starting DL (assuming Harmon goes pro). We have some depth at Edge, but interior will be an overhaul. Offense: QB - Lose starter. Backup struggled as a freshman and is promising but unproven. RB - Probably lose James to pro, but Whit should be back with Riggs. Looks promising. OL - Losing 3 of 5 on the starting line (assuming Conerly goes pro). Got some key transfers, so might be okay? TE - Losing the starter and 2 of top 3. Sadiq can fill one hole, but have question marks after that. WR - Lose all 3 starting WRs (assuming Evan goes pro). Lots of unproven talent. Complete overhaul. Edited January 4 by GeotechDuck 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandy Rocks No. 9 Share Posted January 4 Fans can get so spoiled having high caliber players each season that they can become like the SEC and Ohio State and want to can their coach just because they have a bad game or they don't reaching the finals. Fans forget that one of the key jobs of a "coach" is to coach. A good coach is like a good teacher, The students/players should grow in their skills over time, becoming ready for the next level in their journey. The best players want to improve their skills and know they need that help especially if they want to play professionally. I like being able to get to know the players and watch them grow both as person and an athlete. When they only play one year it's hard to see that. As fans and the university we serve them best when they have more time. The teams that do well in the playoffs especially in basketball are the ones with older, more mature players. Wanting your team to always be on top is probably not a sustainable goal. 1 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnotherOD No. 10 Share Posted January 4 It is an interesting point. If you have $5 million in your budget, do you go 3.0 million to Jeremiah Smith and 2.0 million to Caleb Downs or $500 thousand to each to the likes of Savage, Tysheem Johnson, Bedford, Harmond, Caldwell, Reed, Muhammed, Isiah World, Bear Alexander? Prior to the last game I'd be picking 9 guys versus 2; but, watching the last game Saturday, I wonder a tiny bit more. Of course that goes to how well you can pick Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs. Do you instead end up with Canton Kaumatule and Avante Dickerson or Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs? And I guess someone might suggest how do you know; but, Downs and Smith have been money, the other guys, obviously with different degrees.of success. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Intravenus de Milo No. 11 Share Posted January 4 I’m hoping OSU goes with a D version which is really a combination of your 3 approaches Recruit 10 high 4 star or 5 star guys that can contribute immediately or in year 2 Recruit another 5 3 star or low 4 star guys complete the class with 5 more “developmental” guys Target 2-3 immediate impact transfers and another 2-3 solid depth type guys rinse and repeat 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeotechDuck No. 12 Share Posted January 4 On 1/3/2025 at 5:12 PM, AnotherOD said: It is an interesting point. If you have $5 million in your budget, do you go 3.0 million to Jeremiah Smith and 2.0 million to Caleb Downs or $500 thousand to each to the likes of Savage, Tysheem Johnson, Bedford, Harmond, Caldwell, Reed, Muhammed, Isiah World, Bear Alexander? After this last game, I would probably give Jeremiah Smith all $5M. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Joseph Moderator No. 13 Share Posted January 4 With the exception of on the road vs. Penn State, in the preseason OBD will be favored in every game in 2025. Only two of Oregon's opponents will have Blue Chip rosters if USC is a 2025 BCR squad. Penn State will have a BCR. Oregon will be a favorite in three home OOC games. Montana State, Oklahoma State, and Oregon State. Conference home games: Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, USC Conference away games: Northwestern, Penn State, Rutgers, Iowa, and UWho. Wide open free agency without a salary cap. The future is today. If you can bring in experienced players you believe you can mold into being good teammates (Bear Alexander?) you do so. On a team with a Blue Chip roster, very few players will be ready to play right out of high school. Jeremiah Smith (sigh) is one of the exceptions. Ohio State will have a new starting QB next season. All but one starter on the D Line will be gone. Both of the stud RBs are off to the NFL. Ohio State opens next season in Columbus in a Cotton Bowl rematch vs. Texas. The Buckeyes also play Penn State at home but are on the road at Illinois, QB Altmeyer returns, and at Michigan. Michigan's young pups on defense stymied Alabama for the second Wolverines win vs. the Tide in 2024. A 5* QB is headed to Ann Arbor and Michigan signed a very good QB out of the portal, Mikey Keene. I believe Michigan will be more formidable in 2025. Penn State will miss Ty Warren on O and Abdul Carter on D but besides these two most starters on both sides of the ball are back in 2025. The OOC slate is a cupcake fest. PSU travels to Ohio State but the game at Iowa is the 2nd hardest road game. PSU is OFF the week before OBD visits and plays Indiana, and Nebraska at home. There is no reason for Oregon in its second season in the B1G not to be in contention for a repeat B1G title and a return to the Playoff. In the schedules through 2028, Oregon plays the 'B1G 3' once, in 2027. Michigan in Ann Arbor and Ohio State and Penn State in Autzen. I'm hoping Dan can find one more O-line guy and another D-line guy, at least along with help at LB. Moore to Moore for another score? 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EagleScoutJim No. 14 Share Posted January 4 Too bad we aren’t playing tOSU as well, then we’d have the OSUs1-3 covered 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
30Duck Moderator No. 15 Share Posted January 4 OBD have never really had a stud LB? Love Boettcher, but I want LB's like Ohio State gets. Those are the LB's a team needs if they're winning a Natty. Oh, and if there's a 6'3 215 LBS safety looking for a place to play? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrJacksPlaidPants Moderator No. 16 Share Posted January 4 On 1/3/2025 at 7:49 PM, GeotechDuck said: DB- Lose all 5 starting DBs, including nickel and 8 of 10 on the current 2 deep. Complete overhaul. LB - Lose both DL - Lose 3 of 4 on the starting DL (assuming Harmon goes pro). OL - Losing 3 of 5 on the starting line (assuming Conerly goes pro). Got some key transfers, so might be okay? DB - Savage is looking at staying with his JUCO waiver. Jahlil started the year prior. LB - Boettcher is looking at the possibility of staying with a waiver. He’s a 25th round pick of the Astros which guarantees him about $5.25/hour. DL - Caldwell is open to staying with his JUCO waiver. He’s currently listed as a UDFA for his NFL draft grade. OL - Lanning stated that they’re trying to get Bedford an injury waiver. Silva is eligible for a JUCO waiver and wants to stay. (for what it’s worth). 2 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Joseph Moderator No. 17 Share Posted January 4 I should have mentioned this above. 2024-25 will see a team with a Blue Chip Roster (BCR) win the initial 12-team Playoff. Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, and Texas all have BCRs. Every team that won a BCS and 4-team Playoff title had a BCR. In the B1G there are five programs, if SC stops hemorrhaging 4 and 5* recruits with a BCR. OBD, tOSU, Michigan, PSU, and USC. Oregon will have the roster advantage in the majority of its B1G games. Teams in the B1G are recruiting better from top to bottom but no other B1G team is on the verge of having a BCR. Oregon and Ohio State lead the B1G parade in portal success and have the finances to continue the success. Mega-conference schedules will vary in difficulty. 2027 is the only season from 2024 - 2028 that OBD will play three of the four usual BCR suspects. SC is not on the schedule in 2027. When considering the next season's results, in addition to a roster review as to the players coming back and those lost, recruiting, and portal results, I think it helps to know the quality of the opposition that OBD will face in the coming season. If Dan keeps it going, OBD should have a roster capable of winning the B1G and making the PO every year. Great comments above, I sure learned a lot about OBD's roster now, and where the team is headed roster-wise. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike West No. 18 Share Posted January 4 As usual, very good takes about this topic. Everybody wants a title. We have the components I believe Lanning has done a masterful job of recruiting talent, and putting an elite squad on the field. He took over a team with decent, but not great talent, and went to work to get the type of talent he wants. We've seen improved performance every year. Quite a few in Duck Nation weren't sure about the offense last Spring . The first two games really scared the entire fan base. DL showed just how great he really is. He and Stein took their time to truly evaluate the situation/personell this year and took that unit to an elite level. It's a work in progress. DL is performing very well given he is new at it. The College Football landscape is in a major upheaval, and DL has done an exceptional job navigating it. He has the chops to get us up the mountain, and to raise a flag on the mountain top. 5 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
OregonDucks No. 19 Share Posted January 4 On 1/3/2025 at 8:12 PM, AnotherOD said: If you have $5 million in your budget, do you go 3.0 million to Jeremiah Smith and 2.0 million to Caleb Downs or $500 thousand to each to the likes of Savage, Tysheem Johnson, Bedford, Harmond, Caldwell, Reed, Muhammed, Isiah World, Bear Alexander? I guarantee you that other Ohio State players know their value and are getting paid. Not just the transfers. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
OregonDucks No. 20 Share Posted January 4 In terms of the OP's question: * PK and our boosters might choose option A. They have been waiting a long time for that elusive championship and the window is now. I'm sure that they are well aware that there are no guarantees with this approach, however (see Texas A&M, USC, Colorado, Ole Miss, etc.). * DL and our coaches might prefer option C but are the boosters and fans willing to sit through 3-4 loss seasons until the younger guys develop? Coach Day (at Ohio State) and Coach Smart (at Georgia) have both been in their positions longer so the roster is completely theirs and they can plug the occasional transfer portal player into key positions of need. I believe that Coach Lanning has found the right formula, for now, but, as Charles mentioned, it may be temporary until they are able to get a roster full of their high school recruits and then they may only go to the portal occasionally (option C). 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
olcodgerduck No. 21 Share Posted January 4 I believe the future is going to be a sliding scale starting at A and heading to C. Yes, we've been leaning heavily on the Portal the last few years because we could. However, I see the Portal in the coming years becoming a diminishing return as we get farther from the artificial extended availability of athletes due to the covid* years' extensions. The primary reason we had Nix, Dillon, et al is that they had 5 - 6 years of eligibility due to the NCAA extending additional years to (partially) compensate these athletes for the years robbed from them by the virus. 10 years ago, who'da thunk we'd in succeeding years have 2 quarterbacks playing out 5 - 6 years of college eligibility? The farther we get from the virus years, the more we'll return to athletes playing only 3 years (again), and maybe staying for a 4th year only if it will help improve their NFL draft status. This return to normal eligibility will be the great equalizer, and it will soon become super important to recruit and develop our own talent, and only occasionally reach into the portal "cupboard" to fill a need that, for whatever reason, we were not able to supply through our own organic sourcing/development. As this transition occurs, I believe we'll see Coach Lanning really shine as he will finally be able to field a team comprised mostly of his own recruits who have been developed in house. With this in mind, I'm super stoked about the future, and can't wait for Aug 31 to see how next season is going to pan out! Go Ducks!! OlCodgerDuck *interesting that my laptop wanted me to type covid in all caps... I was able to resist the prompting however 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
OregonDucks No. 22 Share Posted January 4 On 1/4/2025 at 3:30 PM, olcodgerduck said: 10 years ago, who'da thunk we'd in succeeding years have 2 quarterbacks playing out 5 - 6 years of college eligibility? LOL. Who would have thought that the Ducks would have two quarterbacks break the all time college starting QB record IN CONSECUTIVE SEASONS?! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
