Ricky Heimuli, now a NT for the Atlanta Falcons, has not forgotten where he came from.

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Caught up with Phoenix (Ariz.) Brophy Prep defensive end Connor Murphy to recap his Oregon visit and he gave it rave reviews. He wants to officially visit this fall to watch a game in person.

More here: https://www.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1775546

With the 241st pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns selected cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu from the University of Oregon. History may show that with that pick the Browns got the steal of the 2015 draft.

We all know Ekpre-Olomu’s story by now: a highly touted defensive back who was projected to go high in the draft before he was struck down by a devastating knee injury in practice preparing for the first ever college football playoffs.

But who is Ifo Ekpre-Olomu?

Browns fans need to be patient with Ifo

Heard from Urbandale, Iowa three-star OL Jake Heinrich today that he has added an offer from Oregon. He worked out at the SMSB Camp in Michigan this past weekend where Oregon coaches were in attendance (believe it was Scott Frost who was there).

Really impressed with Malepeai, both on the field as well as off the field. Seems to be a hard working, humble, well spoken young man. Impressive list of offers and has excelled at every camp he has attended. Based on his body of work, I am surprised he's not carrying a higher rating?

Come see what Scott has to say about the newest commit Vavae Malepeai

Recruiting Impact

Left tackle. Right tackle. Left guard. Right guard. Tight end?

Jake Fisher has been willing and able to play any position along the line of scrimmage for the Cincinnati Bengals during his first offseason training activities as a professional, but offensive coordinator Hue Jackson decided he wanted the big rookie lineman from Oregon to show his stuff in the passing game.

That's right. The 6-foot, 6-inch, 306-pounder ran a couple of patterns out of tackle eligible sets, and his quarterbacks made sure to find out if he could catch the rock.

Fisher shows hands in OTA's

I caught up with Greenwood, Arkansas QB Connor Noland to talk about his visit last weekend to Eugene.

Noland impressed with Frost and Oregon

Camilo Eifler LB California will be visiting Oregon following next weekend on June 15th

Ducks are bringing in crazy amounts of talent, and officials haven't even started

QUAAAACK of the upcoming week could be coming any time:

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Smithfield (Utah) Skyview three-star outside linebacker Max Christensen tells me he worked out for some Oregon coaches on campus today, so he'll wait to hear if the Ducks intend to get more serious...

"They just wanted me to run a few drills, test my athleticism and see what I could do," Christensen said. "It went pretty well."

Christensen will camp with Stanford on Tuesday before returning home.

Player page: http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Max-Christensen-172431

Molden interview starts around 14:55, Malepeai clip at 27:50

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Brady Breeze has been doing a great job of representing and selling the Ducks since he committed. He sent us this observation about the Vavae Malepeai commit:

"I'm excited to have another great guy added to our squad! He's the kind of player that will help us get to where we want to be."
- Brady Breeze

Mililani (Hawaii) three-star running back Vavae Malepeai tells me he has committed to Oregon on his unofficial visit. It's a big pick up for the Ducks, who continue their hot streak in the region.

Oregon now has the state's top-rated player (Brady Breeze), the state's top tight end (Cam McCormick) and arguably the best receiver in California (Theo Howard), and now perhaps the best all-around back in the West.

Hroniss Grasu was a standout center while at the University of Oregon. Having started all 52 games he played at center in his four year career, Grasu brought a mixture of durability and skill to table, highlighted by his ability to take on bigger nose tackles head-on.

Now, Grasu, the Chicago Bears’ third round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, is competing for a starting job with veteran center Will Montgomery.

While he may not start right away, as a means of learning the position better under the wing of Montgomery, there is a chance that he will be Jay Cutler‘s primary snapper sooner than later.

Hroniss impressing Chicago early

joining the flock soon.

Vavae Malepeai RB Hawaii


(Photo credit: HawaiiPrepWorld,com)

He has had multiple uncles play for the Ducks, so it is mentioned in one of the pieces that they knew about his Oregon offer before he did. As mentioned before, he was also a teammate of Rex Manu in HS. Add in the MM Hawaiian connection and Vavae is now claiming a decent chance that he commits on his upcoming unofficial visit to his "dream" school.

Although only a 3-star prospect, he currently has around 18 offers, including USC, Michigan, and others.

Hawaii news article

OLive "50/50" article

Hudl highlights

Interesting column from the Tennessean about the QB we are lending them.

They're banking on the belief Mariota is the next big thing. And I guess it makes sense. If you're trying to sell season tickets, what's your better pitch: Using a picture of Mariota and the tag line "Witness The Beginning" or posting a photo of a cheerleader accompanied by the phrase "After 2-14, It Can't Get Any Worse, Right?"

Mariota face of Titans

Long didn't really want to differentiate in his Top 10 and said he is looking at all schools as equal at the moment. Gorney tried to pry a bit and only asked about Stanford, USC, UCLA and mentioned ND. Anyways, here is some thoughts on his recruitment, and what type of decision timeline Long is looking at:

We caught up with Matthew Gutwald to get his impressions of his Oregon offer.

Gutwald gaining steam

Robert Johnson, Oregon Head Coach — 1st Place Team


On winning the women’s title…“We’ve been second in this one for a long time, so for us to finally get one on the 30th anniversary of the ’85 team is pretty special.”

On the importance of this win compared to Indoors and Cross Country…“We’re a balanced program and we take each championship seriously. We’re not just going to only show up at the track championships, indoor and outdoor; we’re going to compete hard in cross country, we’re going to compete hard in indoors, and we’re 100 percent going to compete hard in outdoors and I think that’s what makes us special.”

On Jenna Prandini…“She’s phenomenal. To be able to take on the task that we ask her to do coming into this championship is monumental. And then for her to win the 100, get nipped in the long jump and be runner-up in the 200, I wish we had ten more like her.”

Jenna Prandini, Oregon — 1st Place Women’s 100m Dash, 2nd Place Women’s 200m Dash

“To come out and win the 100 has always been one of my goals and one of my dreams, so to do it was pretty awesome.”

On her mentality going into the 100…
“My coach just said as long as I’m within striking distance to just trust in my race plan and trusted that in those last 80 meters my top-end speed could catch them.”

On winning the team championship…“Ever since I’ve been here they’ve been emphasizing that team title in the outdoors. I’ve been here four years—I redshirted my first year—and we’ve never been able to get it, so to come out here and do it in front of this crazy crowd is incredible. I don’t even know how to explain it.”

Raevyn Rogers, Oregon — 1st Place Women’s 800m Run

On Oregon claiming the team championship…“It feels amazing. I’m so blessed to be a part of this team and to have these great coaches and supporters. Everything has been great.”

“I was so excited because it happened. I prayed about it; I almost threw up twice before my race and I was super nervous, so when it happened I felt really blessed. God has really worked with me this whole year and my coaches and my teammates have been really supportive. It all turned out great and that made me really happy.”

So here is a question I haven't heard addressed. What happens to Lockie if adams comes in and wins starting roll? Does he play back up this year and then keep his gritty attitude and play to start 2016? Or does he fear coaches will bring in another one year guy if the others aren't ready to beat him out? What do you all think?

when is Vernon Adams scheduled to arrive in Eugene?

The ESPN site I visit has no reference for track and field. With this kind of sports media support for the sport I can only look forward to ESPN handwringing over US prospects at the next Olympics while ignoring its reportorial responsibility to recognize that the sport exists at all in the meantime.