Successful organizations anticipate trends instead of react to them. They immediately adopt new tools and resources in effective ways, staying ahead of the marketplace.
As the transfer portal has taken off as a powerful new factor on the college football landscape, the Ducks responded by adding 2-year starter Dallas Warmack (who had the best game of his career in the PAC-12 Championship) veteran wide receiver Juwan Johnson and promising outside rusher D.J. Johnson.
During the season they added 6-5, 4-star wide receiver Devon Williams, who took the scholarship vacated by Brenden Schooler.
Meanwhile, at Stanford the Cardinal have had 12 players enter the transfer portal with the intention of leaving the program
https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/12...g-the-transfer-portal-what-gives-on-the-farm/.
All-American left tackle Walker Little, injured this year, has announced his intention to return to play at The Farm next fall, however. That's one in the win column.
In the coming years the transfer portal will be like turnover margin. A school wants to be in the plus column, adding more talent than it loses.
There are sure to be a couple more transfers out for the Ducks, largely related to playing time.
Thomas Graham and Deommodore Lenoir are possibilities to enter the NFL Draft. Johnny Johnson III is eligible, having completed three seasons, but coming off a dramatically improved year in a draft class LOADED with receivers, his best move is to stay in school and build off his improvement. The work ethic has put him in place to be a #1 target next season at Oregon.
Does Jordon Scott enter the draft? He's had a wonderful career as a Duck, a mainstay and an inspiration, but it's hard to turn down the prospect of a pro contract and the opportunity to give back to his family.
The running backs are all sophomores and below. Darrian Felix has moved on to USF.
The Duck coaches have done a great job of using the portal to add players who fit in the culture and meet immediate needs, supplementing their historically great efforts in recruiting.
If the team has 3-4 slots left after early entries and transfers, here's what I think they'd be in the market for:
A veteran offensive lineman to add depth after the loss of six incredibly productive seniors, even two if the right kind of candidates were available. (Any line anchored by Penei Sewell is going to be pretty good.)
A long cornerback with cover skills
A veteran tight end with range and pass-catching skills. (The Ducks will have just three scholarship tight ends on the 2020 roster at present, Webb, Kampmoyer and Herbert.)
If you're the new OC, do you look at the available transfer quarterbacks? The Ducks are young at that position in 2020, but in his limited exposures Shough looks like the real deal.
With Signing Day just days away the portal is on the back burner, but using it effectively has to be a part of the comprehensive plan. Rest assured, Cristobal has a comprehensive plan.
The 2020 Ducks are just a couple of missing pieces from remaining conference favorites. Though it's daunting to look at that offensive line depth chart and mentally erase Throck, Aiello, Hanson, Lemieux, Warmack and Moore.
That leaves them the Outland Trophy winner, Alex Forsyth, Tuanu'u, Sala Beast, Jaramillo, Randazzo and Steven Jones.
The optimistic part is that they were recruited for the comprehensive plan. In fact, they are the cornerstones of it. It's reasonable to think C.J. Verdell could have another 1200 yards running behind those guys, and they'll have Sean Dollars and Trey Benson added to the stable.
Need a creative offensive mind to unleash all those new weapons, one with a deft touch as a quarterback whisperer. Score points!
