Football Practice Report: Aug. 15
08/15/17 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley
As camp reaches the midway point, starting jobs remain very much open, and true freshmen still have time to make an impression.
Venue: Outdoor practice fields
Format: Full pads
When Willie Taggart took over as Oregon's head coach and began holding practices for the 2017 season, first in spring drills and then this preseason, he made it clear every position was up for grabs.
Recently, the cornerback position has illustrated that perfectly. In April, senior Arrion Springs and freshman Thomas Graham Jr. were sensations. At the beginning of preseason camp, junior Ugochukwu Amadi was playing regularly with the first team. And in the last week or so, senior and converted quarterback Ty Griffin was getting reps as a potential starter.
"Every day we're competing for jobs," said Griffin, who played quarterback at Georgia Tech and then after transferring to Oregon, before moving over to defense. "I was never down, or feeling like I didn't have a chance. (Cornerbacks coach Charles) Clark always tells us, 'Compete every day. Starting jobs are open.' I've just got to compete, and do the best I can do."
Griffin has all the tools to be a shutdown corner. His straight-ahead speed is among the best on the team, and contrasts with his brother Taj's electric change-of-direction quickness. Ty is also pound-for-pound among the strongest players on the football team.
As a redshirt sophomore in 2015, Griffin moved to defense. By last season he started to feel comfortable at cornerback, and his development really took off under the tutelage of Clark this year, he said.
"He's helped a ton; he's a great coach," Griffin said. "He's helped my technique a lot. I feel like he's brought me a long way."
But as Clark tells his players, no job is safe. Indeed, on Tuesday the first group on defense in nickel situations saw Springs and Graham at corner, and Amadi in the nickel position. Griffin's battle to win meaningful playing time as a senior will be an ongoing one.
And just as Taggart keeps an open mind with his depth chart, so too is he not closing any doors in terms of playing true freshmen. He made that clear prior to Tuesday's practice.
"We're not going in saying we've got to redshirt anybody," Taggart said. "Right now we have no intention of redshirting anyone."
Most days, it appears the Ducks will at least utilize the services of Jordon Scott, Austin Faoliu and Graham on defense this season, as well as Darrian McNeal on offense. But the No. 2 nickel defense Tuesday included not just Faoliu but Deommodore Lenoir at nickel, Nick Pickett at safety and Isaac Slade-Matautia at linebacker. And at times Darrian Felix, Jaylon Redd, Cyrus Habibi-Likio (above), CJ Verdell, Johnny Johnson III, Daewood Davis, Sampson Niu and Adam Stack have looked to be in the mix for playing time as true freshmen too.
If you're writing down a two-deep at home, do it in pencil. And keep the names of Oregon's 2017 true freshmen handy.
Other highlights: Tuesday afternoon's practice was the first of the preseason in which it felt like the offense really had the edge. In the 11-on-11 period to open the day, Justin Herbert used a beautiful pump fake out to the sideline before turning back and hitting Jacob Breeland (below) over the middle. Another pump fake helped spring Alex Ofodile for a touchdown in 7-on-7. In an 11-on-11 period focused on third down, Dillon Mitchell made a beautiful over-the-shoulder catch of a deep ball from Herbert down the sideline. Even the defensive sideline was whistling in amazement at the reception by Mitchell. …
In a red-zone drill that closed practice, the offense had a one-play possession when Herbert hit Kani Benoit for a 25-yard TD pass. Braxton Burmeister, Tony Brooks-James and Taylor Alie all had rushing touchdowns in the drill. … Defensively, Troy Dye jumped on a loose ball in the backfield and Kaulana Apelu tackled Royce Freeman on a screen pass to get the defense off the field in the red-zone drill. In an earlier team period, Slade-Matautia found himself matched up with a receiver but smoothly ran with him down the field and then, as the ball was in the air, turned back and knocked it away.
Other observations: Four number changes went into effect as of Tuesday – Brenden Schooler moved from 26 to 86, Kyle Buckner from 86 to 26, Mattrell McGraw switched from 27 to 21 and Slade-Matautia moved from 41 to 43. One benefit of those swaps is that Schooler will be able to play special teams with the guy he shared No. 26 with, safety Khalil Oliver. … Also the roster has been updated to reflect the departure of three non-scholarship players: defensive tackle Riley Greene, receiver Rocky Rainey and tight end Jalontae Walker. … Demetri Burch fielded kicks along with playing both quarterback and receiver.
Interviews:
Head coach Willie Taggart
Sophomore linebacker Troy Dye
With great seats still available and season tickets starting at only $299, now is the time to DO SOMETHING! Click here to see all ticket options including a pick-your-own mini plan and single game tickets.
