Ducks Ink Juco PG
By Matt Prehm | May 14, 2009
Oregon Media Services
EUGENE, Ore. — Head coach Ernie Kent announced Thursday that Malcolm Armstead has signed a National Letter of Intent and will begin play for the Oregon men’s basketball program in the upcoming 2009-10 season. Armstead, a 6-0, 195-pound point guard from Florence, Ala., recently completed his freshman year of eligibility at Chipola College in Marianna, Fla.
“The thing that impressed me the most about Malcolm was his contagious passion for the game of basketball and his understanding for the point guard position,” Kent said. “That passion is going to make everybody around him better.”
Armstead played in 35 games for the Indians during the 2008-09 season, averaging 6.8 points, 4.9 assists and 1.9 steals per contest. Armstead went 41-of-79 on 3-pointers to shoot a team-best 52 percent from behind the arc. He maintained a 3.3 assist to turnover ratio.
“His speed, quickness and ability to shoot the ball will really strengthen our overall guard play,” Kent said.
Armstead is the second player from Chipola to have signed an NLI with UO basketball this season. He joins fellow frosh Jeremy Jacob, a 6-foot-8, 230-pound forward, in the recruiting class.
Chipola finished third at the 2009 National Junior College Athletic Association Men’s National Basketball Championship in Hutchinson, Kan.
The Indians, who ended the regular-season as the top-ranked team in the NJCAA Top 25 Poll, defeated Conners State College, 102-70, in the consolation game of the national tournament. Chipola lost a 78-73 semifinal contest to Salt Lake Community College, a team that would go on to defeat Midland in the title game.
Chipola had a 32 game winning-streak before falling to Salt Lake CC. The only other loss came early in the season to Three Rivers College (78-71).
Oregon has signed a total of four players to NLIs for the upcoming season. In addition to the Chipola College signees, the Ducks have also added prep standouts Jamil Wilson (Racine, Wis.) and E.J. Singler (Medford, Ore.).
“This is a very good recruiting class. Individuals in this group will be counted on to make an immediate impact on our basketball program,” Kent said.
Wilson, who signed with UO in early March, is ranked 31st overall and fourth at the small forward position by ESPNU. He is the nation’s 35th-best prep player and the No. 5 small forward according to Scout.com, a service that has Wilson listed as a four-star recruit.
Wilson is coming off a senior season where he led Horlick High School to a 24-2 record en route to earning player of the year honors for Racine County. He averaged 21.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.8 blocks and 1.4 steals per contest during his senior campaign.
Singler was selected the 2009 Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) 6A State Player of the Year. Singler, one of two players who signed a National Letter of Intent with Oregon during the early signing period, averaged 21.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.0 steals per game in 2008-09.
Singler helped the Panthers to a 21-8 record and a sixth-place finish at the OSAA Class 6A tournament. The 6-foot-6 forward averaged a tourney-high 26.3 points and 11.7 boards per outing. Singler shot 47 percent from the field (27-of-57) and 79 percent from the charity stripe (23-of-29) in three games.
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Kent Announces Brown Leaving UO
By Matt Prehm | May 10, 2009
Oregon Media Services
Head coach Ernie Kent announced that guard Kamyron Brown will transfer from the University of Oregon men’s basketball program. Brown, from Anaheim, Calif., has two years of eligibility remaining.
“I sat down with Kamyron and we both agreed the best situation for him to continue his growth as a player would be in another basketball program,” Kent said.
Brown played in 61 games for the Ducks, a starter in 13 of those outings. He averaged 4.4 points and 2.7 assists per game in two seasons at UO. Brown played as a true freshman and has a redshirt season available.
“We support him and wish him well,” Kent said. “Kamyron will be allowed to continue working with our players, coaches and support staff through the end of the school year.”
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Recruiting Notes
By Matt Prehm | May 7, 2009
May 2nd was the Oregon Spring football game but it was also Oregon’s Junior Day where 2010 Recruits could come to the program and meet the staff, players, and facilities, and most importantly get a good up close look at what Oregon has to offer if they were to go to Oregon for college.
One recruit who was in town for Junior Day was able to speak with Ducks Attack, Curtis White, from Sheldon HS in the Duck’s backyard of Eugene, OR.
“Ya I went, it was a really good time. Everyone had a good time with everything,” said the 6′5 245 TE who’s been the Duck’s first commit in the 2010 class since his sophomore year.
” I went with my high school teammate Derek Nielson, and I also remember seeing Keanon Lowe from Jesuit(Portland, OR) and Owa(magbe) Odighizuwa from David Douglas(Portland), but I can’t remember anyone else’s names from who was there,” explained White.
So what was the highlight for White who’s already been committed to the Oregon staff?
“It was being able to get to have lunch with the entire team and staff. Getting to just hang out and get to know them was really cool. Get a feel for what they want from each of us recruits,” explained White.
Recruiting Notes:
Lakewood High School in California had a trio of recruits possibly coming up for the junior day and is headlined by Quarterback Jesse Scroggins. The group couldn’t come up for Junior day but Scroggins did say the team is coming to Eugene in July for a passing tournament and will check out the team and campus while in Eugene for the tournament.
Peniel Jean, a 5′10 185 DB from Palm Beach Central HS in Wellington, FL will be getting a visit from Defensive Back coach John Neal within the next few days. Jean says an offer should be on his way from the Ducks and also thinks Uconn and Pitt should be close to offering as well.
Joshua Harper, a 6′1 170 pound Wide Out from St. Mary’s High School in Stockton, CA was able to make it up to Junior day to meet the coaching staff and his older brother and ex-Duck Matthew Harper who now holds a position within the football program. Harper informed Ducks Attack that during the weekend he was offered a scholarship from the Ducks.
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Ducks Add Three More To TV Slate
By Matt Prehm | May 3, 2009
From UO Media Services
The University of Oregon will benefit from no fewer than five network television appearances during the 2009 season, with the addition of three more TV home dates as announced as part of the Pacific-10 Conference’s television package with ESPN/ABC Sports.
Selected as part of the conference’s television package are consecutive Oregon home games vs. Utah and California on Sept. 19 and 26, respectively, as well as the Oct. 31 contest against USC. The Ducks’ home game vs. 2009 Sugar Bowl winner Utah will be televised nationally on ESPN while Oregon’s Pac-10 opener against the Golden Bears the following week will be aired on ABC. Both games will start at 12:30 p.m. (PDT).
The USC-Oregon clash will kick off at 5 p.m. as part of the league’s prime time package on either ABC, ESPN or ESPN2.
Previous ESPN television commitments announced involving the Ducks included the Sept. 3 Thursday night season opener at Boise State (7:15 p.m. PDT) and the regular-season finale vs. Oregon State (6 p.m. PST) on Thursday, Dec. 3.
Oregon’s remaining three home games vs. Purdue (Sept. 12), Washington State (Oct. 3) and Arizona State (Nov. 14) could still be selected for television at a later date but will remain at 12:30 p.m. until further notice. The same holds true for the Ducks’ remaining four road games, with start times to be determined.
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2011 TE Takes In Oregon
By Matt Prehm | April 30, 2009
While the Oregon coaching staff is focusing primarily on the 2010 recruiting class it is never too early to start working on the future stars of the 2011 recruiting class when they want to check out your school. That was the case for Oregon this past weekend when Gig Harbor, WA Tight End Austin Seferian-Jenkins made the trip down to Eugene to check out the Oregon campus and meet with the new coaching staff.
Seferian-Jenkins is a 6′7 245 pound tight end/defensive linemen for Gig Harbor and has already been offered verbal scholarship offers from the likes of Arizona State, Cal, Florida, Stanford, Washington, and Washington State. Going down to Eugene Seferian-Jenkins was hoping he could add one more offer to that list, and that offer would be from Oregon.
“Ya, they offered me a scholarship. It was unreal. I had a blast doing everything I did down there. From going out to eat, even though I had to pay my own way, and to seeing the weight room and the stadium to meeting Chip Kelly. The trip was an awesome experience,” said Seferian-Jenkins.
Although he was blown away by the visit down to Eugene he did say he was still wide open to all schools.
“Right now I’m just collecting information. I am open to all the schools. Schools who have offered are in the same level as schools who haven’t offered me a scholarship. I want to give all the schools a shot,” explained the talented young Tight End.
Growing up and following Oregon football Seferian-Jenkins only knew of Mike Bellotti as the head man so he came away very impressed when he got his chance to speak with the new head coach in Chip Kelly.
“Oh man, he’s an offensive genius, he’s so crazy on offense. Bellotti gone is no a big deal to me because Coach Kelly knows what he’s doing and is an offensive genius,” Seferian-Jenkins went on to say.
While the coaching staff continues to work on getting the best possible recruits into Oregon for the 2010 class, they have already started working on the 2011 class and have got a good one in their sights from Gig Harbor.
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Spring Practice Recap
By Matt Prehm | April 27, 2009
Here is my piece I did for Northwest Sports Magazine on Oregon’s spring ball so far.
With Chip Kelly now as head coach, the style of practice in the spring was greatly intensified. Coaches barking orders non-stop, Kelly seeming to be everywhere at once yelling commands and praise, and players being run from drill to drill like they are in boot camp. It’s spring practice and not fall camp right?
” Chip’s all over the place during practice. Usually you see Coach [Mike] Bellotti here and there, but Chip’s on both sides of the ball, encouraging both sides, keeping everybody fired up, keeping the pace of practice and momentum up,” Senior TJ Ward told reporters after the first practice.
The first week of practice wasn’t without injuries however as returning 1,000 yard rusher LeGarrette Blount was held out of practice after shortly being reinstated from a suspension due to an ankle sprain he suffered right before spring camp started.
Coming into the spring Oregon’s biggest weakness appeared to be the defensive line where the Ducks lost Seniors Sonny Harris and Cole Linehan and also saw projected starter Junior Tonio Celotto leave the team. The Ducks were left with players who haven’t had much experience and newcomers. The Ducks moved Junior Brandon Bair to tackle from his defensive end spot and saw success. However the biggest surprise has been the entire unit. Senior Toeaina has finally lived up to the potential his massive 6′4 320 pound frame has as he’s been dominate in practices while Blake Ferras and Terrence Montgomery both seem to be farther along in their games than expected.
Senior corner Walter Thurmond III looks to be the best player on the field regardless of offense or defense as he shuts down his man in coverage and has walked away with multiple interceptions in scrimmages and offense vs. defense drills. Sophomore Anthony Gildon and Freshmen Kenjon Barner and Scott Grady are all battling for the other starting corner spot.
Returning starting quarterback Jeremiah Masoli has had an up and down offensive spring having one practice where all his throws were on cue and in perfect position to catch while the next practice his downfield passing resembled his game early in the season last year, inconsistent to say the least.
Junior Jamere Holland and Sophomore athlete Chris Harper have been having good spring camps as both look to be positioning themselves for a starting spot at wide receiver. Holland has been the Ducks best threat downfield with his sprinter’s speed and better route running. Harper has been Mr. Everything. Lining up in the slot, motioning out of the backfield, and being split out wide Harper has been lethal with the ball in his hands and in open space. Harper has also improved his ability to catch balls in traffic and his route running.
So far in three full weeks of practice Oregon has seen the highs and lows of spring practice with lots of questions regarding the team’s depth and departures answered. More questions have come up as the spring has gone on, but make no mistake this team looks poised to have a big year.
Oregon’s spring practice will conclude on May 2nd when the Ducks hold their spring game.
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Ducks Attack Interviews OL Parker Mack
By Jonah | April 20, 2009
Ducks Attack stopped in with 6’6” 305lb offensive lineman Parker Mack from Little Rock, Arkansas to talk about last season, his recruitment, and his interest with Oregon.
DA: What offers do you currently have?
Mack: I currently have seven offers: Oregon, Wake Forest, UNC, Arkansas, Boston College, Minnesota, and Vanderbilt.
DA: Any offers from certain teams that you’d like to see?
Mack: I do not really have any individual schools that I’m really waiting on, definitely would not mind a few more offers though.
DA: Do you have any favorites at this point?
Mack: I couldn’t really say that I have a set in stone top 5 or any special favorites. I still have a lot of work to do, studying about the schools and trying to find the best fit for me in a football program and also in an academic program.
DA: What about Oregon makes you interested in them?
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Updated On QB Mark Leal
By Jonah | April 12, 2009
It’s been unclear recently whether the 6’1” 190-pound QB Mark Leal has an offer from Oregon. Ducks Attack asked Leal if he holds an official offer from Oregon. “Yes I do,” Said Leal. Oregon has verbally offered Leal as a Quarterback.
And that’s not the only offer the talented QB from Delray Beach, FL has, Leal also boasts offers from FIU, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Vanderbilt, Rutgers, West Virginia, and Virginia Tech.
Although Leal denies any favorite(s) at this point, he did say there are four schools that he lists at high interest: Oregon, Rutgers, West Virginia, and Virginia Tech.
Oregon - “With Oregon, they play a small athletic QB like myself and Coach Kelly would be a great coach to play for.”
Virginia Tech - “I’ve built a good relationship with the staff and I have teammates there already so I would fit right in. And I’ve always liked Virginia Tech.”
West Virginia - “The spread offense is the kind of offense I like and would like to play for.”
Rutgers - “It’s an upcoming football program and they also has very good academics.”
Leal went on to tell Ducks Attack that West Virginia and Virginia Tech have been recruiting him the hardest, but he still tries to stay in contact with Oregon.
“I have called Coach Kelly,” said Leal, “but he didn’t answer so I haven’t spoke with the coaches yet.
Leal plans to take visits this summer, and he also mentioned that distance would not be a deciding factor. Ducks Attack will keep everyone up to date with his recruitment.
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Oregon In The Top 3 For Two Florida Athletes
By Jonah | April 5, 2009
Oregon has certainly made a splash with its recruitment in Florida. The ducks seem to be a hot commodity in the sunshine state. Oregon has recently been mentioned in the top 3 from two up and coming recruits, Tony Grimes and Delvin Jones, both who are from the state of Florida.
Grimes has been stuck with offers from only Oregon and Florida Atlantic for a while. However, recently interest has been picking up for this 6’0” 180 pound cornerback.
“I have new offers from Purdue, Toledo and Ole Miss,” said Grimes.
Even with these new offers, Oregon is still very high on Grimes’ list. Oregon is still on the mind of Grimes as he went on to explain his top schools of choice and Oregon was one of them.
“The Ducks are still in my top 3, and I plan on visiting for the spring game,” said Grimes.
Grimes has already started visiting schools and is still looking for some more offers, mainly from the in state schools such as Florida, Florida State, and Miami. He also made it clear he is in no hurry to make a decision.
“I already visited Georgia and Florida. I also plan to visit Ohio State,” said Grimes. “I’m not committing until signing day!”
Grimes isn’t the only player on the other side of the country that has caught Oregon’s attention. Defensive end Delvin Jones is also starting to raise eyebrows after a 20-sack season last year. At 6’6” 230lbs and with deadly speed, he is a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.
Jones has recently listed Oregon in his top 3 along with USC and Florida. Even though the Ducks haven’t offered Jones nor been in contact with Jones, he still has high interest in Oregon.
“Oregon has not been in contact with me, but I have been receiving letters from them,” said Jones.
“The reason Oregon, Florida, and USC are in my top three is because I have been watching these schools closely and I like what I see so far. But I’m still doing my research on other schools as well.”
Jones told Ducks Attack that if Oregon were to offer, his top teams could change.
Both rivals and scout have rated him a 4 star prospect. Schools and coaches around the country would have to agree with that assessment as Florida, USC, UCF, Tennessee, Purdue, South Carolina, Michigan, Minnesota, Ole Miss and have offered Jones.
Jones mentioned he is still waiting for Oregon to offer. He also hopes to hear from a couple other schools.
“Well outside of an Oregon, I would not mind getting an offer from LSU and Miami.”
It’s still very early in the recruiting process for Jones and Grimes, and Ducks Attack will be following the recruitment of these two players.
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Clay Catches Gang Green
By Matt Prehm | April 3, 2009
When you grow up dreaming of playing for a certain college for football and then when it’s time for schools to start offering scholarships its easy to get frustrated and a bit nervous when your favorite schools hasn’t offered yet but other schools have.
For Brennan Clay of Scripps Ranch High School in the San Diego area Oregon was his dream school.
“Yes sir! They sure did offer me, it happened last night, and they are now right up there number one on my list of schools,” says the All-Purpose Running Back who had over 1400 yards rushing and 1000 yard receiving as a junior.
With Oregon being the most recent offer Clay now totals 8 official offers and the other 7 come from Michigan, Stanford, Wisconsin, San Diego State, Duke, Baylor, and Connecticut.
Although Clay was extremely pleased about finally getting his offer from his dream school he did say he didn’t commit.
“Ah man, you know, it’s such a hard decision cause I want to wait, but then Oregon’s has always been a dream school for me along with Texas, so right now I’m not going to commit and instead just wait till the date I want to decide on comes up,” explained Clay.
Clay then went on to inform DucksAttack that he’s been selected for the prestigious US Army All-American Game and that he will announce his choice during the game or right before his Senior season starts at Scripps Ranch.
Clay is a 5′10 190 pound RB with 4.5 speed and is rated in the top 250 for Rivals.com and in the top 300 for Scout.com’s recruiting rankings for the 2010 class.
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