Oregon Ducks Fall Camp Preview: Quarterback? Jeff Lockie, Vernon Adams Or Another?

Despite having less than 50 days to the start of the college football season, no one is quite sure who will be the Ducks’ starting quarterback for the 2015 season. With Marcus Mariota gone to the NFL, the Ducks find themselves with the mighty task of having to find a player to replace a man who will likely go down in history as the greatest Oregon football player ever. While it is practically impossible for the coaching staff to find a replacement as talented as Mariota, the Ducks will have more than one quality option to choose from.

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The first and easiest choice would be redshirt junior Jeff Lockie. Lockie has been on the Oregon team for multiple years and has made appearances in several games in relief of Marcus Mariota. While he lacks the physical traits that Mariota and other former Duck quarterbacks often have contained, Lockie knows the Oregon offense very well and is widely considered a “natural leader” amongst the program. While he is somewhat of a bland option, the experienced backup certainly has the capability of stepping in and becoming a serviceable quarterback that can get the ball into the hands of the Ducks’ many weapons. Another option may be Transfer Vernon Adams as the Oregon Ducks Fall Camp begins in a few weeks.

Adams ability is well documented in his time at Eastern Washington, and if he is able to join Oregon following his wrap up of one final class at Eastern Washington, he could make the Oregon Ducks a formidable opponent for any team this upcoming season.

While the starting job will likely go to Lockie or Adams, the Ducks also have two intriguing young prospects in Morgan Mahalak and Travis Jonsen (formerly known as Travis Waller). Should both Lockie and Adams struggle during the season, Mahalak or Jonsen could find themselves in the spotlight as the Ducks prepare for the future. Coach Helfrich and company will have several options to choose from, but it would be wise for them to choose fast in order to avoid a distracting quarterback controversy during the actual season.

The season opener against Eastern Washington set for September 5th. (5pm PT, Pac-12 Networks)

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