We're not even to the bowls yet but competition for recruits is heating up

[Conan]

Included below in my comments is a shameless plug for the Sooners and in part why (and how) I think they can win this year. (unrelated to the res of this post)

I was just reading up on some wild card JC's and transfers that are in the process of happening behind the scenes and the "rent-a-quarterback" issue was using up a lot of space. Cam Newton is probably the first well known patch job (quality) replacement QB in recent years to capture his transfer with a year of eligibility remaining, Russel Wilson managed to pull his off with some notable success too. This year probably the best "rent-a-quarterback" to come along was Vernon Adams. Last year he played for EWU and set all kinds of QB records in the FCS division. He wound up blowing out all competitors (starting QB's) in CFB Div 1-A this year with the highest passing efficiency rating by far. (179.6) However Baker Mayfield (178.9) was just behind and both were nearly 10 points in front of the next in line) Baker Mayfield is one of the reasons why I have taken the time to emphasize what's going on with the QB position both on and off the field. He has made a HUGE contribution to Oklahoma football and the reason why I give the Sooners a great chance to beat 'Bama when they play for all the marbles in about a month.

There's an FCS QB out there that is ready for the big time and a lot of schools know of him and are actively recruiting him.

His name is Dakota Prokop who was released by Montana State to play for Oregon, Texas or TCU with a visit to Michigan and Alabama on his immediate itinerary as well.

That's an interesting point about Alabama because it means that Saban has finally taken it upon himself to solve the "dual threat" problem he has had for a very long time when organizing his defenses to face them. Prokop indicates that his preference is to play for the Ducks at this point but there's still plenty of time tor that scenario to play itself out. Going into next season the Ducks will be loaded across the board with experience at every position on the field including enough running backs with speed and size both to command a lot of respect right from the starting gate. They are expected to make another championship run especially if they can find a suitable replacement for Adams. It looks like Prokop could be their guy.

I''m sure we will get into all of that soon enough on this board.

Any other hot prospects floating around out there that you/ve heard about lately? Graduating Sr's with eligibility remaining or perhaps a JC or 2 that are noteworthy?
The idea of "free agency" on the college level involving legal transfers is a new wrinkle that I find very interesting. It's the closest thing to free agency you will see in CFB.

 

[Addicted2quack]

I've got my own feelings on this subject, especially if prukop were to choose Oregon over the other possible schools, but I'd like to hear your opinion on whether or not this would be a good move for Oregon to accept him and how it might impact the program next season and a few years from now. Thanks conan

 

[Conan]

To tell you the truth quack, I never heqrd of the guy before today.
I can say this much though, Helfrich got it right with Vernon Adams.
Could he have found another excellent QB waiting for the same chance?

 

[Conan]

Quack,
If you are concerned that the Duck coaching staff can't develop its own quarterbacks,
this according to some nasty rumors started no doubt by some hack sportswriter,
check out this list going back 45 years...

I really don't know much about their processes but the results the Duck coaching staff
has been getting from its players speaks for itself.

It looks like someone has been doing pretty well with starting QB's in Eugene for a while.

 

[rolltide]

he's in Tuscaloosa for a visit today.

i'm not a big fan of these rent-a-QB guys for 1 year guys. I don't mind the 2-year guys (like Coker) but this 1-year stuff is pretty unsettling for recruiting. Bama already have 3 dual-threat guys (bateman, barnett, hurts) so if this kid goes with Ttown I would expect at least one, maybe two, to transfer. Barnett's dad is a dick and already said that if his kid isn't the starter next year as a RS Freshman he will try to convince him to transfer. Barnett won the Elite 11 in 2014 and was #2 dual-threat QB in the nation and Bateman was neck-and-neck with Coker until his disastrous start vs Ole Miss. Seems like Oregon would have a lot less competition and since they were after him much earlier than Bama I expect him in Eugene

my concern is that in some fashion this must mean Saban and Kiffin aren't completely convinced with Bateman, Hurts, Barnett as dual-threat or Cornwell/Morris as pro style. One would think that 5 QBs are enough....

 

[WinOne]

Quack,
If you are concerned that the Duck coaching staff can't develop its own quarterbacks,
this according to some nasty rumors started no doubt by some hack sportswriter,
check out this list going back 45 years...

I really don't know much about their processes but the results the Duck coaching staff
has been getting from its players speaks for itself.

It looks like someone has been doing pretty well with starting QB's in Eugene for a while.

New Regime, gone are the days of Brooks, Belotti, and Kelly. Add to this Scott Frost taking the UCF job. With Mariotta, once he was a star as a freshman and sophmore, they should have recruited a freshman and let the kid get snaps during the blowout wins. Seems they didn't do this or have the opportunity to do this. And i think they missed Lockie. Make a play for Kyle Allen who is leaving Texas A&M

 

[Addicted2quack]

Wow first Kenny hill going to tcu and now Allen to possibly Houston or Michigan?!?!? What the heck man???? What's going on in Aggies land.... I know kyler Murray is a future stud but sheesh they just lost a ton of depth.... I'm all about Oregon going after prukop because in all reality the nation got a great inside view of how little Oregon has at QB right now.

to respond to Conan:

im not worried about QB development at Oregon, I've known the likes of how far many of those QBs came.... Most were no name talents that became NFL QBs, albeit primarily backups, but nonetheless, NFL QBs..... Oregon may "coach em up" better than any team in the country in all reality. For the past decade they primarily obtained 2-3 star recruits with some four star guys mixed in. It wasn't until the last 2-3 years that they slowly started getting more 4-5 star guys. Those rankings don't mean dick as we all know, but the player development is a testament to the seniority and experience of that coaching staff. Losing aliotti to retirement really hurt in my opinion but hey, that's bound to happen.

at this juncture Oregon is an elite program looking to maintain its elite status, beating tcu does keeps that alive. However, next season they will still be in dire straights for not just a good starting QB but QB depth in general. I here a lot of buzz about Travis jonsen, and I can see why, but let's be honest, he had surgery and redshirted, it's highly unlikely he got sufficient enough snaps and practice reps to take over the Oregon starting QB job and perform at a proficient clip...a lot of people are going to scream for him and I say nay.... Putting him in next year as the starter is asking for a 7-5 season and saying we are willing to take out lumps in order to have him be our starter for the following two seasons. That approach isn't bad and it's realistic, it's what most programs do; but I just don't think Oregon can afford to let off the gas pedal. They are in a transition period trying to find a way to bridge the gap.

if Oregon was confident and comfortable with what they have at QB they wouldn't even be considering prukop, but they are.... I've been calling for mahalack for quite some time now, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen, why, I have no clue, I'm not a coach and I don't get to go to the practices. He's had two years in the system now and is twice the athlete of lockie and Allie combined, so logically I would say genus the front runner as we speak unless someone transfers in.

in terms of going after Kyle Allen I would consider that a bad move.... I thought Allen was waaaaay overrated last year, let alone this season when he was as good as flipping a coin.... Texas am has the best WR Corp in the sec and the dude struggled mightily at times. If you're going to QB the ducks you HAVE to have mobility. Vernon was an anomaly because he was one of the better true passers we've seen come thru Eugene. And although he's not fast, he elusive in the pocket and extends plays, not a typical Oregon QB but had enough intangibles to run the offense to a new degree at a very high level. In fact once frost took the leash off VA the offense started rolling. Allen wouldn't be fast enough to run the read option and doesn't seem to have the necessary accuracy or decision making to make the correct reads and throws in oregonsnoffense. A lot of people call Oregon a "system" and maybe I'm being bias but I think that's a bad choice of words. Baylor is a system offense.... It's all the same one or two reads every play and the same routes. I swear Baylor just runs "da bomb" from NFL blitz on N64 every damn play.... Not a hard offense to learn but very difficult to stop with an accurate QB and frisbee catching dogs running 4.4's.

prukop fits the mold perfectly..... But if they get him they have to go out and find a guy they love who they plan to turn the program over too..... You need another guy like a mariota where you say ok, this your program as a redshirt freshman and we are comfortable with that... I don't think mahalack or jonsen is that guy. I think the young stud out ofnhawaii who is being tutored by mariota is the dude to go after. 2017 recruit and he's everything mariota was coming out of high school in terms of stats, arm, and decision making,!but he's left handed and probably a step slower.... I'm good with that... Sadly Oregon has yet to even offer him, apparently they don't like him.... Confused on that one. I've watched his highlight film and the kid Straigt up balls out. Ucla is all over him as well as byu I've heard. Hopefully Oregon makes a run at him, one would have to think he would love to follow in his mentors footsteps and create a new legacy at Oregon.

Who yo really knows tho.......

 

[Conan]

You mentioned QB mobility and Vernon Adams in the same sentence.
That is essential these days, moreso than ever in my recollection. Even
NFL offenses have drifted from the traditional pro set pocket passer in
charge.

IMHO the revolution is on. We've seen this type of thing before when
the west coast offense was introduced by Sid Gilman and Bill Walsh back
in the day. A couple of Super Bowl wins and the next thing you know,
everyone's doing it.

Today it's the "dual threat" QB's that are paving the way for the next
unofficial morphing of the sport. Johnny Manziel and Marcus Mariota
were two great examples. Both are paying it forward and both seem to
be working out.

Perhaps the one most telling of all quarterback skills is what separates
the men from the boys in the 'dual threat' arena. I suspect that it has
a lot to do with Jeff Lockie's fate which seems to be pretty stagnant. I
might also venture to guess that Mahalak has similar issues. The bottom
line here is footwork and foot speed. "Adequate" may not be adequate.

Coming in a respectable 2nd place in the dual threat skills department
would be accuracy throwing the ball, especially downfield. Here is where
I saw on several occasions Vernon Adams rattle off 14 out of 15 passes
which effectively had a "game, set, match" impact in the game at hand.
When he's not throwing for first downs he's running for them himself.

½-way through a passing down with no yards to show, Adams is busy
doing his own thing engineering a new play including new routes for his
receivers as opportunities develop downfield. Any DC will tell you that a
guy that can do that is pure hell to defend against.

Most of the above was written to describe things to look for in a QB who
finds himself in a situation such as Dakota Procop is now in.

He will be surrounded by experience and talent at WR to the tune of Bralon
Addison, Dwayne Stanford (6'5" WR), Evan Bayliss (6'6" 250lb. TE) Darrin
Carrington, Charles Nelson, Devon Allen -- Addison and Bayliss will be the
only seniors in that group in '16.

Prokop's rushing support will be the strongest the Ducks have fielded in
years. After the manchild Royce Freeman there's Taj Griffin, Tony Brooks-
James, Thomas Tyner, and why not include all-purpose both offensively,
on special teams and in a pinch at free safety, the athletic phenom Charles
Nelson (already threatening to take down Christin McCaffrey's single-
season record for all-purpose yards)

It looks like the Ducks will be at least 2 deep at the 4x100M men's relay
position on the football team.

The Ducks also look pretty good in '16 on both lines, losing only 8 lettermen
(3 starters) to graduation but returning 26 from which to field their OL and DL.
I can see now why all of the attention going to Prokop. He could be the very key
to the Duck's continuing success and with some extraordinary luck, maybe more.

 

[Conan]

Coveted FCS QB Prukop to pick between Ducks, Tide on Monday
Oregon, Alabama hoping to land star quarterback

Dakota Prukop threw for 3,025 yards, completing 63 percent of his passes and had a 28-10 TD-INT ratio for the Bobcats this season.

Larry C. Lawson

By Bruce Feldman Dec 13, 2015 at 11:50p ET

Montana State's star QB Dakota Prukop, who is expected to graduate this month and will be eligible to transfer and play immediately in 2016 — will decide between Oregon and Alabama on Monday afternoon, he told FOX Sports Sunday night. Prukop visited Oregon earlier this weekend and then took a red-eye flight Saturday night from Portland, Ore., to Alabama -- arriving Sunday morning to visit the Crimson Tide before the recruiting dead period begins on Sunday night.

“Alabama visit was great,” the speedy 6-foot-2, 210-pounder said. “Historic program, it is an honor to be wanted by coach (Nick) Saban. I’m extremely blessed to be in this situation with these two outstanding programs.”

On Saturday, before getting on the red-eye, Prukop told FOX Sports: "I loved Oregon," where he could replace fifth-year senior Vernon Adams Jr., who is playing his final college game in the Ducks' upcoming Alamo Bowl. "It was a surreal deal just because of the caliber of players there and how welcoming they were. You can tell that Oregon wants to win. The guys on that team, they get it. Oregon’s arms were wide open. They have an outstanding cast of really competitive guys and even better dudes. I developed a great rapport with coach (Mark) Helfrich and coach (Matt) Lubick very quickly.”

A native of Austin, Texas, Prukop threw for 3,025 yards, completed 63 percent of his passes and had a 28-10 TD-INT ratio for the Bobcats this season. He also ran for 797 yards and 11 TDs. Against Adams' old school, Eastern Washington, Prukop threw for 353 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 196 yards and another score.

As FOX Sports detailed last year, Prukop was a late bloomer — about 6-2, 175 coming out of high school. Prukop had toyed with the idea of trying to walk on at Texas Tech or SMU. He had come from a new school that just started up in Austin — Vandegrift — and said it didn't have any FBS recruiters come by.

He said he went to Texas Tech's camp and ran a 4.5, but the Red Raiders' DC eventually stopped talking to him and then got fired. In retrospect, he believes going the FCS route was the right move for him. He didn't get lost on a crowded roster with scholarship guys, and it afforded him some time to develop. "I was way behind," Prukop said.

 

[Conan]

Convenient for the Ducks that Prukop's home (Austin) is just a hop and a
skip from the Alamo Bowl in San Antone where Oregon will be playing TCU
on January 2. The plot thickens. (maybe)

Ot this could turn out to be one of Lane Kiffin's scores.

 

[MackDonald]

"Dakota Prokup".......Not that it makes any difference but, is he of Native-American decent ? The name sounds like-it.

One of my favorite QB's back in the 1960's was a Native American from Oklahoma who played for the Washington Huskies......Alex 'Sonny' Sixkiller; He tried out with the San Diego Chargers....He also had a part in the movie "The Longest Yard" with Burt Reynolds.

 

[jwhite]

Don't look now but Clemson cleaning up. Swiping #1 Qb from tennesee! Crazy the job they are doing there!!!

 

[MIKEtheREF]

I hate this thread. This is like ESPN talking about the draft when NFL/NCAAF is in full swing. I don't care about this waste of time until the games are here.