I caught up with two LB's to get their thoughts on the new scheme. Here is the first of them junior LB Jonah Moi.

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4. Bigby-Williams emerges from Juco ranks

Originally committed to play his college basketball at Montana State, a native of London, England, has emerged as the hottest name in junior college basketball.

A 6-foot-10 center at Gillette College in Wyoming, four-star sophomore Kavell Bigby-Williams was already one of the most sought after recruits in junior college basketball. After his performance at last week’s NJCAA National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kan., where he had 57 points, 49 rebounds and 23 blocks in four games, his stock has gone through the roof.

He’s athletic, he runs and he plays with great energy on the glass and as a defender. Word coming out of Hutch was that Oregon could be the early favorite. However, others who are heavily involved include Texas, Utah, San Diego State, Missouri, Arizona State, Charlotte and Bradley.

Check out the full article here

Looks like the visit went well for massive El Cerrito OL Aaron Banks yesterday.

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Aaron Banks profile

Here is the second LB interview I did on Friday. Between Moi, Swain and Pellum interviews you can get a good sense of the LB mentality heading into 2016.

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I have been reading some rumblings on another Duck website from a few Duck track fans that they are very disappointed with the performance of the men and women track teams. Some are criticizing coach Johnson.

Oregon track fans have high expectations. We are perhaps the most fortunate and spoiled college track fans in the country. However, this meet was bitter sweet.

Going in, most of us were excited to see how Oregon would do against rival USC. After all, USC's women are ranked second in the nation. USC's men are ranked 13th. Although we recognize that Penn State and Washington are solid college track teams, I doubt that many Duck fans envisioned that the Oregon men would have to fight till the end to tie Penn State. I'd imagine that even fewer thought that we would see The King get left in the trail wind of UW's Colby Gilbert on the bell lap. Even one of our most decorated track athletes, Jasmine Todd, was destroyed in the 200m.

OK enough with the bitter. Let's get to the sweet.

a)The women's 4x400 was a thrill. Raevyn Rogers was clutch as she came from behind to win at the tape and seal the team victory.
b)The women's 4x100 relay broke the school record and finihed first.
c) Devon Allen was an iron man, winning the 110h, 400h, and running a leg on both relay teams.
d) Raevyn Rogers easily handled the field in the 800m....as usual.
e) Gregg Skipper dominated the hammer.
f) A new star emerged in the 100h, Alaysha Johnson....and she is young. She won the event over her more heralded teammate Sasha Wallace. Alaysha set a meet record with the second fastest time in school history....then ran a good leg on the 4x400!
g) Ariana Washington won the 100m.
h) most importantly the Duck women won over a talented team field that included the second ranked team in the nation.

I could name some more areas of disappointment, and a few areas where the Ducks won, all be it unimpressively....but it was that kind of meet.

In the end, track isn't as predictable as many think. Just like in all sports, athletes have good days and bad days. The training is tricky and it is geared for the long run, not the next week. I can't promise that the men or the women will win another NCAA outdoor team title this spring. What I can promise is that they are still in the hunt. This was a meet filled with ups and downs. In the end the thrills out weighed the disapointments.

Great looking crowd.

Huskies are off to a great start. UW women go 1,2 in the 1500 a UW woman, Anna Maxwell, from my local area wins. Ducks go 3,4...more

After practice today with DC Brady Hoke.

On the transition to 4-3

"We have got a lot to get better at. We have a great staff. But the whole one-gap and two-gap, getting up the field, we have got a lot of work ahead of us. Kids have been receptive but at the same time we have all got to get better."

On whether he has the bodies he needs for a four-man front

"Right now it is too early to say. There is some length which is good and athleticism which is good, but you play the game, you have pads on and it’s a physical game. It has got to be physical up front."

Click below for the full 8 minute interview.

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I had a one-on-one with DP Wednesday and covered an array of topics from his move from DC to LB coach, the new 4-3 and then we went over some personnel. Very interesting stuff.

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The Ducks should have a shot at this, UNC being the other high ranked team that stands out. Might get my wish after all, just in the wrong tourney, lol.

http://mauiinvitational.com/sports/2015/12/22/GEN_1222153538.aspx#

Recent article with pre-season rankings....

http://mauiinvitational.com/news/20...jim-maui-invitational-teams.aspx?path=general

this upcoming week:

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Aaron Banks

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Ducks have the big time Emoji lead:

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word is he could end up in Oakland as they were very interested in him even with his injury but the Browns took him.

Hope for the best for him. A great Duck!

Why couldn't Okie flop vs UO? Feel badly for them, but they probably relied to heavily on one guy. And to think Okie whipped Nova earlier this year on a neutral floor. It's a strange game, aint it?
Time for the Heels to take care of biz, which would be the third time they have beaten Cuze.

I caught up with sophomore DT Canton Kaumatule yesterday and got some great stuff.

On the 4-3

"Everybody is just learning the new system and it is fun. It is a lot more physical than last season’s defense and I’m just ready. I’m excited to go.

"I’m loving it. It is a lot more natural. The 4-3 for the line is just attack, attack, attack. It is non-stop."

On Coach Hoke

"He has already gained the respect of the entire team. Everybody loves him. He is really on point, demands excellence. I’m excited to play underneath him."

I also asked about him being on crutches last week. Check out the video for the whole interview.

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1 Brooks-James, Tony, UO
2 Chisena, Dan Penn State
3 Jackson, Adoree USC
4 Joyner, Jadon USC
5 Marshall, Travis Washington
6 Merritt, Kirk UO
7 Porter, Anton Penn State
8 Smith, Xavier Penn State
9 Sourapas, Christian UO
10 Strong, Lucas Washington
11 Taylor, Tatum UO
12 Young, Christian Washington

So, Adoree Jackson will go up against Kirk Merritt, and Tony Brooks-James . Although, I don't expect any of the three to finish first, it does create and interesting football player competition. They are all legit college sprinters.

and reading the articles both here and in the print media, does it not seem like the guys on defense are truly excited about what Hoke is bringing to the table???

This is not intended to be a Pellum bashing thread (there has been plenty of that and more) but I detect a renewed sense of excitement and enthusiasm. I know the real test will be when the rubber meets the road in the fall but it's good when things start out well in the spring.

Maloata could be a key piece of the DL this season. I caught up with him to talk about the new defense and his role. He also picked out an offensive lineman who has been standing out to him this spring.

Time to shine for Maloata

Dolphins pick him up off waivers

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Nice catching up with Devon today.

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I spoke with the Temple, Texas DE to see where the Ducks stand following their offer. It's another of those "If he visits..." But I really think Texas has the inside track.

Rivals250 DE talks Duck offer

I had just one minute to talk to Wood today...

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So, I have been given the official okay to 'brag' about my son!

Many may or may not know that Layne Smith took the LSAT and scored very well. He applied to several top 10 Law schools on the East coast and received an acceptance from most.

Today he has made it official, this fall, my son, Layne Smith (and his girlfriend Lauren who we love) will be attending the University of Michigan for law school!

We could not be more proud of all that he is worked for and we know he will continue to work very hard. He and Lauren visited the campus this past weekend and absolutely loved the area, the law school itself and all that was offered. He was offered by an impressive list of elite law schools including Duke, Virginia, Northwestern and Georgetown.

They have been offered a generous aid package and I know they will soar with their intelligence and hard work! My wife and I are very excited for him and cannot wait to visit his new digs next year!

Wyatt Davis narrowed it down and the Ducks are still on his list.

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