A.J., Brandon and I were talking before the gates opened at Saturday Night Live, and A.J. made the point that the Ducks used to get the leftovers after USC and UCLA were done. Nick Aliotti had to find 2 and 3-star guys who could play, coach the heck out of them (the one thing that Brady Hoke and Don Pellum accomplished was making Duck fans appreciate N.A.) and blitz like a fiend to keep up with the Oregon offense.
Now, Coach Taggart and staff are getting truly talented and elite guys, guys with speed and juice. Another amazing thing about this class is that there are 21 commits, and the 6-7 or however many they add are likely to be really outstanding players, maybe Lamar, Seweill, Hufanga, Cota, Williams, etc., plus a quarterback they'll flip.
The Ducks could end up with an astounding 14-18 4-star guys (currently 10, and Harrison, Webb, Holland, Randazzo and Cunningham might all earn an upgrade in their senior seasons.)
I think it's significant too that the class has such balance. It's not three or four five stars and a bunch of journeymen--it's a group that from top to bottom has talent, competitive fire and potential. These guys will compete and make the entire roster better. Nearly all of them have the speed, size, strength, agility and skill to develop into future starters. A few of them are game changers.
I'd almost rather have 15 4-stars than a handful of highly-touted, 3 and out "my top 12" 45-offer superstars. The New England Patriots have demonstrated this principle for years.
Talent wins, but character and commitment complete the picture. I feel like the Ducks are getting a mix of ability and the desire to be great. It's going to be fun to watch what happens next.
Now, Coach Taggart and staff are getting truly talented and elite guys, guys with speed and juice. Another amazing thing about this class is that there are 21 commits, and the 6-7 or however many they add are likely to be really outstanding players, maybe Lamar, Seweill, Hufanga, Cota, Williams, etc., plus a quarterback they'll flip.
The Ducks could end up with an astounding 14-18 4-star guys (currently 10, and Harrison, Webb, Holland, Randazzo and Cunningham might all earn an upgrade in their senior seasons.)
I think it's significant too that the class has such balance. It's not three or four five stars and a bunch of journeymen--it's a group that from top to bottom has talent, competitive fire and potential. These guys will compete and make the entire roster better. Nearly all of them have the speed, size, strength, agility and skill to develop into future starters. A few of them are game changers.
I'd almost rather have 15 4-stars than a handful of highly-touted, 3 and out "my top 12" 45-offer superstars. The New England Patriots have demonstrated this principle for years.
Talent wins, but character and commitment complete the picture. I feel like the Ducks are getting a mix of ability and the desire to be great. It's going to be fun to watch what happens next.
