Oregon Recruiting: 2014 Class Will Reload for the Future

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FanSided.com

On Wednesday, Oregon welcomed 21 new recruits for the 2014 Class. The class was highlighted by 5-star recruit Running Back Royce Freeman as well as a handful of 4-star talents on Defense including Defensive Back Mattrell McGraw, Defensive Back Arrion Springs, Defensive Lineman Jalen Jelks, and Junior College Cornerback Dominque Harrison(Tracy, CA). Harrison, a junior college transfer  is one of the fast, transition players according to Oregon Head Coach Mark Helfrich. Harrison is already on campus and taking classes. Two other Junior College Transfers include Hanateli Lousi, Offensive Lineman(6’5″, 295, Fremont, CA) and  Tui Talia, Defensive Lineman(6’5″, 270, Concord, CA).

"Our guys (have been)working 1000 high schools in 31 states over the last year.Oregon Coaches went the extra mile for the 2014 Recruiting Class"

There was one transfer on the list in Johnny Ragin, coming from the California Bears. He is already on campus and will play Linebacker. He is 6’3″, 215 pounds from Wilsonville, California. With transferring from Cal, he will likely have to sit out a year before suiting up for the Ducks,

Among the 21 recruits, 9 were from California.

The Ducks were heavy on the Defensive Line(3) and Defensive Back(4) positions for 2014. Oregon were also able to get help on Offense where 10 of 11 starters return from last season. The highlight is Running Back Royce Freeman, who is built like Johnathan Stewart and could be a presence on short down situations. It will be interesting to see how Oregon uses him.

One name to watch on Offense is Wide Receiver Jalen Brown(6’2″ 185, Phoenix, AZ). He was a top 5 recruit out of the State and could become a reliable target for Quarterback Marcus Mariota in 2014.

Defensively the highlight was at the Defensive Back position where Oregon came off with four recruits. Expect Linebacker Recruits Justin Hollins(6’5″ 215 pounds) and Jimmie Swain(6’3″ 229 pounds) to push in practice for playing time in 2014 along with Freeman.

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Like all football programs the goal is not to rebuild, but to reload. This is the case for Oregon in 2014. With Quarterback Marcus Mariota returning, as well as Center Hroniss Grasu and Defensive Star Ifo Ekpre-Olomu the newcomers will have time to get acclamated to the ‘Oregon system.’ One area that the Ducks did not do well was at Defensive Tackle. That will certainly be the main focus of the 2015 recruiting class.

Now we move to workouts and seeing these new faces on the field for the Spring Game on May 3rd(11am PT, Pac-12 Networks)

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