April 26, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Kyle Long poses with his Bears jersey during a Chicago Bears press conference announcing their first-round selection of guard Kyle Long from Oregon University at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Reid Compton-USA TODAY Sports

Former Oregon Duck Kyle Long will get a quick glance at what his NFL Future will look like with a mini camp this weekend, and then thanks to a little University of Oregon ‘Classes’ Conflict won’t be able to workout with his new team, the Chicago Bears for a month. He will miss the team’s scheduled minicamp from June 11th-13th.

You read that correctly.

According to Brad Biggs from the Chicago Tribune,

NFL rules mandate that a draft pick cannot take part in anything other than the rookie minicamp until after the school he attends has completed final exams. Oregon uses a quarter system and final exams run through June 14. Like most teams, the Bears are holding their veteran minicamp June 11-13. In total, the guard will miss 13 practices — 10 OTA sessions and three days of minicamp.

Over the course of an NFL career that may not seem like much, but when your first getting your feet wet, those first practices can be very important.

Don’t worry too much for Long, he will continue his workouts with Tony Wise, a familiar face in the Bears organization, having coached there as an assistant from 1992-1998. Wise also worked with Long during Senior Bowl week back in January.

After getting in work this weekend, he will have to wait until after June 14th to continue his NFL activities.

Oregon Ducks This Week:

Feb 21, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon offensive lineman Kyle Long speaks at a press conference during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

By now you already know that Dion Jordan is a Miami Dolphin. He was selected in a Trade as Miami moved up in the Draft into Oakland’s #3 spot to take the Defensive playmaker. In a surprise to some Oregon Offensive Lineman Kyle Long was also taken in the first round. He went to the Chicago Bears at #20. Long is one of the hidden success stories and going in the first round is a huge for both him and Oregon.

Kyle Long is a raw talent and can be molded in the NFL to play several positions on Offense, which is one of the reasons he was so highly touted by some teams. We now know he will freeze each year in Chicago as a Bear.

The Ducks were not the only team to have players taken in the first round. Star Lotulelei, the Utah nose guard went to the Carolina Panthers at #14. Washington Cornerback Desmond Troufant was the pick of the Atlanta Falcons at #23 and UCLA Defensive End Datone Jones headed to the land of cheese(Green Bay) at #26.

A surprise in Round 1: For the first time in 50 years no Running Back was taken in the First Round of the NFL Draft.

Rounds 2 and 3 pick up at 3:30PT today and the 2nd and 3rd pick belong to San Francisco and Philadelphia. There is good potential for more Ducks to find NFL homes today and tomorrow including Michael Clay, Kiko Alonso, and Kenjon Barner.

Oregon Ducks This Week:

March 14, 2013; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker/defensive end Dion Jordan talks with reporters at Oregon pro day at Moshofsky Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

Several Oregon players will look forward to phone calls this weekend, whether they are in the middle of it at Radio City Music Hall or out in the back woods fishing somewhere. NFL.com has broken down their list of the Top 50 Prospects and there are two Oregon Ducks that make the list.

According to the article, Dion Jordan is #5 (no teams assigned on this list, just a number, according to talent) Here’s what they say:

 

5) Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon:Jordan is a long, lean athlete with incredible upside as a pass rusher. Oregon’s scheme called on him to drop and cover often, but when he did get pass-rush opportunities, he displayed an explosive get-off and the ability to wrap the edge.

Also making the list of the NFL Draft Top 50 at Number 48 is Offensive Guard Kyle Long, in part because many see him as a raw talent that can be taught at the next level. For a guy who could not get another year of eligibility to hone his skills with the Ducks, he may also be a candidate for more than one position in the NFL, which many see as an upside for his talent.

The 2013 NFL Draft starts Thursday April 25th and concludes on Saturday, April 27th.

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