As Oregon Head Football Coach Mark Helfrich walked into the media room on the first floor of the Casanova Center Wednesday afternoon, his biggest and probably most important recruit had yet to sign.
Thomas Tyner, out of Aloha High School, in Aloha, Oregon had not fully committed to the Ducks, as he was expected to sign at a event held at Aloha High School at 3:30 pm.
The Ducks may utilize Tyner in a role that was similar to what he had during High School. Tyner will be forced to block and become a physical back once he makes the transition to Eugene, something that has been seen in the recent success of Byron Marshall, who saw his playing time rise as his blocking increased as well.
Of this class that consists mostly of offensive players (10), Tyner looks to be at the top, as far a future potential to become the next Oregon star. He was rated by Rivals.com as the #2 back in the Nation, and the #17 player overall.
“Tyner is the total package, world class speed, physical, fast” – Mark Helfrich
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Although Oregon picks up well on the offensive line and at the skilled positions, the defensive core is going to need to be replaced, losing linebackers Michael Clay and Kiko Alonso will be a hard task to replace.
Tyrell Robinson – (San Diego, CA) and Joe Walker – (Wilmington, CA) will try and replenish the core of Oregon’s defense. The Ducks only signed 4 defensive players, but 3 ‘athletes’ that could go either way this fall.
“Our biggest need this year was offensive line and linebackers.. Losing Kiko, and Michael there will be spots to be filled”- Mark Helfrich
Despite who the Ducks wanted, this class surely did not turn out perfect. Word broke Monday evening that RB Dontre Wilson, a former Oregon verbal commit and ranked as the number 1 player out of Texas, switched his mind and signed with the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Davin Bellamy, a DE out of Georgia, shocked the Ducks, and stayed in state to play under Mark Richt at the University of Georgia.
The Ducks did picked up a few at the 11th hour, however, as RB Kani Benoit of Phoenix, Arizona picked Oregon as did OL Cameron Hunt from Corona, Ca., who had chosen Cal initially.
And, Oregon landed LB Torrodney Prevot from Houston, Texas.
Although Oregon ended this season ranked #2 in the final polls and will most likely be competing for yet another BCS bowl next fall, there is defiantly a part of the recruiting game that can change, and improve.
But does it need to?
Oregon is historically known to turn average 3- star recruits into Heisman Trophy candidates, just look at Marcus Mariota now.
Helfrich thanked this assistant coaches in detail, but says it was simple, and 9 times out of 10 walking out of recruits homes they were all left saying the same thing.
“How about this guy.. off the charts. Just incredible people” – Mark Helfrich
Whatever happens with this class, players will rise, players will fall, and players will get hurt.
But you can bet that Mark Helfrich has keenly worked through this class, and even though he may have missed a few of his top guys, this class will be as close as family.
Some aspects of the old Oregon offense may change with a few tweaks here and there, but only time will tell.
2013 OREGON SIGNEES:
JUNIOR COLLEGE
Joe Walker, LB, 6-2, 225, So., Palos Verdes, CA (LA Harbor College/Palos Verdes HS)
HIGH SCHOOL
Devon Allen, WR, 6-0, 187, Phoenix, AZ (Brophy Prep)
Kani Benoit, RB, 6-0, 200, Phoenix, AZ (Phoenix Thunderbird HS)
Doug Brenner, OL, 6-2, 279, Portland, OR (Jesuit HS)
Darren Carrington, WR, 6-2, 186, San Diego, CA (Horizon HS)
Elijah George, OL, 6-5, 250, Las Vegas, NV (Arbor View HS)
Damion Hobbs, QB, 6-2, 195, Cedar Hill, TX (Cedar Hill HS)
Cameron Hunt, OL, 6-4, 265, Corona, CA (Centennial HS)
Danny Mattingly, LB, 6-5, 222, Spokane, WA (Mead HS)
John Mundt, TE, 6-4, 232, Modesto, CA (Central Catholic HS)
Jake Pisarcik, OL, 6-2, 290, Medford, NJ (Shawnee HS)
Torrodney Prevot, LB, 6-3, 214, Houston, TX (Alief Taylor HS)
Tyree Robinson, ATH, 6-4, 200, San Diego, CA (Lincoln HS)
Tyrell Robinson, ATH, 6-4, 201, San Diego, CA (Lincoln HS)
Chris Seisay, DB, 6-1, 177, American Canyon, CA (American Canyon HS)
Thomas Tyner, RB, 5-11, 201, Aloha, OR (Aloha HS)
Evan Voeller, OL, 6-5, 278, West Linn, OR (West Linn HS)
Juwaan Williams, ATH, 6-0, 181, Tucker, GA (Tucker HS)
Matt Wogan, PK/P, 6-2, 197, Indian Trail, NC (Porter Ridge HS)
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