Jan. 3, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA: Oregon Ducks tight end Colt Lyerla (15)  Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Well it looks like the rest of the country is getting a little taste of what many of us have known for a while. Oregon Offensive Piledriver Colt Lyerla is a ‘freak.’ in on the list of ‘Freak Athletes’ heading into the 2013 College Football Season. He comes in at #15 and CBS Sports Bruce Feldman says of Lyerla:

When Chip Kelly lined up the 6-5, 250-pounder at running back it was quite a sight. Lyerla was quite the weapon with surprising wheels for a guy that size, especially when it comes to his hops. He had vertical jumped 35 inches (second-best all-time among Oregon tight ends) and touched a team-best 11-3 in the jump reach. But this video alone gets him a spot on this year’s Freaks List.

I believe this is a compliment to him as an athlete and as a player, at least under the Chip Kelly style of play. When you can both run the ball and catch the ball and your big, it’s hard to slow that down.

Other college athletes that made the list include Number 1(no surprise here) Jadevon Clowney from South Carolina, whose hit in their bowl game was on ESPN’s Top 10 at Number 1 for what seemed like a year. There was one other Pac 12 player to make the list. At #7 USC Wide Receiver Marquise Lee. Former Duck Lache Seastrunk from Baylor was at #3. Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel came in at #7.

Oregon opens the 2013 College Football season on Saturday August 21st vs Nicholls State in Autzen Stadium.

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October 27, 2012; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Kiko Alonso (47) looks on in the second quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

He was taken 46th overall in the NFL Draft by the Bills and has signed a 4 year deal worth $4.3 Million with $1.5 million guaranteed for the 2nd round draft pick.

According to OregonLive.com, he took a straightforward approach with NFL teams when asked about his past.  

“I just told them I put in my time and I’m moving forward,” Alonso said. “I’m ready to play football and compete.”

Alonso will compete for a starting job in a revamped defense that’s making the switch to a 3-4 system under new coordinator Mike Pettine. The Bills thought highly enough of Alonso’s potential that they traded returning starter Kelvin Sheppard to Indianapolis two days after the draft.

Only two players remain unsigned for the Bills from the Draft. First Round pick, Quarterback E.J. Manuel and Second Round pick, Wide Receiver Robert Woods.

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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.

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