A week, 10 days ago, Duck fans who follow recruiting were in full Alamo Bowl oh my god it's happening again mode. Criddell and Casey decommtted, Funa and Tauanu'u were visiting USC--a full-blown implosion of epic proportions seemed possible, even slipping to the 15-20 range nationally.
What's happened since is a testament to staying the course, having a plan and working it every day.
Funa and Tauanu'u have reaffirmed their commitments. Criddell and Funa are visiting this weekend.
It's even possible that Oregon could close with Criddell recommitting and Thibodeaux and Sopsher and/or Ika) becoming Ducks.
That'd be the 7.2 earthquake of a finish, with the tremors felt all the way from Seattle to Los Angeles, Tempe to Pullman.
A lot has to topple just right for that to happen, but it's clear the Oregon coaches have done everything possible to create the opportunity for it to happen.
Oregon is competing head-to-head with Alabama for two of the best defensive players in the country.
These are the kind of players it takes to compete for national championships.
It's exciting too to think about the 5 receivers the Ducks are adding to the passing attack this cycle, Waters, Wilhoite, Pittman, Delgado and tight end Patrick Herbert.
If Justin Herbert elects to stay for his senior season, adding this level of talent to the offense, joining a big, experienced offensive line and two quality running backs, the Ducks will be very hard to stop next season.
Taking this kind of momentum into next year, coupled with a bowl win, would create a new level of excitement around Oregon football. They'd would be in the early conversation for the top ten.
Of course, recruiting is recruiting, and the shocks and surprises cut both ways. No one can be counted on until they sign, enroll in school, practice hard and produce in games. But there IS a clear and direct correlation between recruiting success and winning at the highest level. Nearly every national champion of the last 20 years had a top 5 class, and most of them had two or more.
What's happened since is a testament to staying the course, having a plan and working it every day.
Funa and Tauanu'u have reaffirmed their commitments. Criddell and Funa are visiting this weekend.
It's even possible that Oregon could close with Criddell recommitting and Thibodeaux and Sopsher and/or Ika) becoming Ducks.
That'd be the 7.2 earthquake of a finish, with the tremors felt all the way from Seattle to Los Angeles, Tempe to Pullman.
A lot has to topple just right for that to happen, but it's clear the Oregon coaches have done everything possible to create the opportunity for it to happen.
Oregon is competing head-to-head with Alabama for two of the best defensive players in the country.
These are the kind of players it takes to compete for national championships.
It's exciting too to think about the 5 receivers the Ducks are adding to the passing attack this cycle, Waters, Wilhoite, Pittman, Delgado and tight end Patrick Herbert.
If Justin Herbert elects to stay for his senior season, adding this level of talent to the offense, joining a big, experienced offensive line and two quality running backs, the Ducks will be very hard to stop next season.
Taking this kind of momentum into next year, coupled with a bowl win, would create a new level of excitement around Oregon football. They'd would be in the early conversation for the top ten.
Of course, recruiting is recruiting, and the shocks and surprises cut both ways. No one can be counted on until they sign, enroll in school, practice hard and produce in games. But there IS a clear and direct correlation between recruiting success and winning at the highest level. Nearly every national champion of the last 20 years had a top 5 class, and most of them had two or more.
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