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Back from practice. I'm going to go ahead and give you my notes now and will add Nichole's once I get hers. I basically focused on the CB's today because Thomas Graham called me out for not mentioning them in our last report.

Here goes:

Today I spent most my time watching the defense, more specifically the cornerbacks. I will focus my comments mainly on them.

CB: I am going to go ahead and call it now. The Ducks are going to be good at CB this year. This is certainly not based solely on watching two practices of spring, but it is that combined with the progression we saw out of the young corners last year.

Today I thought a few guys stood out for different reasons. Thomas Graham has always been a confident guy for good reason. But this spring I think I’m seeing a new twist on it. Graham is starting to act like a boss. And I definitely mean that in a good way. Things such as being the first in line for drills, interacting with the coaches; just taking charge in general.

Something I noticed today for the first time was the acceleration Deommodore Lenoir has got. He is becoming quite powerful in the lower body and really gets up to speed quickly now.

Haki Woods absolutely looks the part of a college defender. Great physique and length. I would love to see him get himself in the mix for more playing time this year. Not that he’s healthy he has that chance.

And then there is Verone McKinley III. If the CB group was not so stacked up right now we would all be talking about him. Football aside I love his personality. The coaches were having the players rotate through stations during period two and at one point McKinley became the first CB to show up at Coach Donte Williams’ station. Already there were a few DL that were just finishing up. Verone looked at me laughed and said “I was worried for a second” that he was in the wrong place.

Football-wise it’s just a matter of getting some reps out there during games for him. He has all the skills and athleticism so what he needs is opportunity. When it does come up for him, I am confident he will be more than ready.

DL: I only got a chance to watch them for a minute but I did like what I saw from Gus Cumberlander. He was starting to come on last year and this spring he looks like he has taken another step forward physically. I expect big things from him this year.

General thoughts: I think this coaching staff has the energy level dialed in just right for this point in spring. Not too crazy, but still hyped up. You can’t have the energy maxed all the time or you burn everybody out. So, I would say right now they have the knob set at eight which is about right. Auburn week is when Cristobal will crank it to 11.

Nichole Brown is going to join me this spring at practices and our plan is to bring you both of our observations as often as possible.

Click me for Day One notes

Peter Latu committed following his visit yesterday. Waiting to hear back from him now.

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Nice that Avantae Williams caught the eye of our analysts yesterday.

Tampa Camp notes

bit of an ugly start on espn2, but only down 13-8 at 3:30 in the first

Softball – The Ducks put up a good fight but got swept by the Cowboys on Saturday losing the first game 6-7 and the second 6-9. They are now 11-10 on the season with their next game against Arizona on Friday in Tucson.

WBB – The ladies advanced to the finals of the Pac-12 tournament with a 88-83 squeaker over UCLA. Ruthy Hebard poured in 28 points along with 12 rebounds, while Sabrina Ionescu added 18 points, 12 rebounds and six assists.

The finals will be held today at 5:00 pm and can be viewed on ESPN2.

Men’s Tennis – The tennis team beat up on Washington 5-1, sweeping the singles matches in the process. The Ducks have won their last 10 straight matches and will face UC Santa Barbara in southern California on Friday.

Baseball – Oregon took game three of the four game series 4-3. Jakob Goldfarb played the role of hero once again with a three-run double in the eighth inning. They finish up with a 1:05 pm PST first pitch today before flying back to Oregon this evening.

Ducks are now 9-4 on the year with a two-game winning streak heading into this afternoon’s game.

MBB – Huge win at Washington as Dana Altman’s team won their fourth straight game with a 55-47 victory, the Huskies’ only home loss of the season. Payton Pritchard lead all scorers with 16 points, while Francis Okoro added 9 points and 10 rebounds.

They will take on No. 11 seed WSU on Wednesday in Las Vegas in the opening round of the Pac-12 tournament.

Track – The women placed 3rd with Jessica Hull winning the 3000 meter title to add to the women’s DMR win on Friday. The men finished 19th with Cravon Gillespie in the 60 meters and Cooper Teare in the 3000 both taking fourth place.

Next up for Track is the SDSU Aztec Invitational on Friday March 22 in San Diego.

Spring Football – Next practice for the Ducks will be on Monday morning.

Saturday will be another big day for Oregon athletics following big wins Friday by the women’s basketball and the baseball teams, as well as a second consecutive national title for the women's DMR team. In addition to all the competitions, football kicks off spring camp today with its first of 15 practices.

Here is a rundown of the Ducks in action today.

Softball – Following a tough 3-0 loss yesterday to Oklahoma State, the 11-8 Ducks are back at it today hosting the 16-5 Cowboys in a double header with the first game beginning at 2:00 pm and the second slated for 4:00 pm at Jane Sanders Stadium in Eugene.

WBB – The Lady Ducks play in the semifinals of the Pac-12 tournament today against No. 4 seed UCLA who is currently ranked No. 25 in the nation. The Bruins are coming off a 73-69 win over Arizona State on Friday, while Oregon ousted No. 8 seeded Arizona 77-63. Tip-off is set for 6:00 pm broadcast on the Pac-12 networks.

Men’s Tennis – Oregon is 12-1 on the year and today plays host to Washington. Matches are scheduled to begin at 2:00 pm at the Student Tennis Center in Eugene. The lowly Husky squad is 3-8 on the season and is looking to notch their first road win of the season on their sixth try.

Baseball – Playing Hawaii for the third game of their four-game series today in Honolulu. The series is even at 1-1 after a 3-1 Duck win on Friday. Oregon is now 8-4 on the year heading into today’s 6:35 pm PST first pitch.

MBB – Oregon is on a three-game winning streak as they take on the Huskies today at 7:00 pm in Hec Edmundson Pavilion in Seattle. The 18-12 Ducks will have their hands full against a Washington team that is 15-0 at home on the season. They enter the game with a 24-6 overall record including a 61-56 win over Oregon in Eugene. The Huskies beat Oregon State 81-76 on Wednesday.

Football – Beginning of spring drills today at 9:45 am. This will be closed to the public although DSA will be there to bring you our thoughts on the goings on.

Track - Oregon is in Day 2 of the Indoor Championships in Birmingham today. Click here for the live results. The Oregon women finished off Day One of the NCAA Indoor Championships with a second-consecutive title in the distance-medley relay. Amanda Gehrich, Makenzie Dunmore, Susan Ejore and Jessica Hull blistered the track to the tune of 10:53.43 becoming only the fourth DMR team in NCAA history to win back-to-back titles.

She is Oregon's "Mighty Casey" in this meet. Oregon's eyes turn in hope to Jessica.

nfm

No offer from Oregon yet, but Carroll grew up a Oregon fan. A lot of eyes will be on him this spring/summer and into the fall imo. Some out there way think he will have an offer from the "who's who" of college football by the end of the 2019 season.

Tennessee recently offered.

Just a name to know.

link: CARROLL UPDATE

She opens with with a TJ of 44'6", an inch and a half off her (NCAA 3rd best this season) season's best. Only 3 other jumpers have gone as far so far this season.

Ducks up by 12 at half. Huge run moved a 1 point game in the 2nd to the current largest lead of the game.

Did not know he was so squared away in school.

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