Oregon Football: Dakota Prukop Leads But Freshman Justin Herbert Is Making Noise
While Dakota Prukop appears to be named the Starter, a local from Eugene is making noise on the Practice fields at Oregon.
More from Autzen Zoo
- Oregon football: Ducks and Coach Prime playing it cordial leading up to Saturday
- Oregon Basketball: Non-conference slate features Michigan coming to Eugene
- Oregon football: Ducks find complete game effort in win vs Hawaii
- Oregon Ducks must get run game going against Hawaii
- 8 Pac-12 teams represented in Associated Press Top 25 after Week 2
Dakota Prukop came to Oregon to lead. He has confidence you would expect from a Senior Starting Quarterback, but the guys behind him in the Quarterback competition entering the season are looking for an opportunity. The roles on this team can also be defined at QB for the backups who also carry an important role.
In Practice you are the decoy, or the opposing QB. You could land a spot on the travel squad and be called upon if there is an injury. While the focus has been on Dakota Prukop and his ability, he clearly has a few challengers in Eugene entering the season. Justin Herbert out of Sheldon High School in Eugene has impressed his teammates, including Wide Receiver Charles Nelson, “I’d say Justin Herbert has the best touch on the ball.” What is Nelson looking for in a Quarterback, it’s simple really.
"Someone who facilitate the ball around the guys, not do too much with their feet and just get the ball to the guys who do that stuff for a living and let us go from there.Charles Nelson on what he looks for in a Quarterback."
Fellow Wide Receiver Darren Carrington also had high praise for Herbert, but in the big picture believes the edge will still go to a leader, “From a leadership standpoint and first role Quarterback I think Dakota(Prukop) has taken that spot and embraced it a little more than everybody.”
Ultimately it is up the coaches when they produce that first Depth Chart of the season, but in speaking with the players, Justin Herbert was not a name I expected to hear in practice today. It was refreshing. His story is unique. He was the Quarterback at Sheldon High School and broke his femur last year. Herbert missed his chance to be here in the Spring.
If Herbert had enrolled early, the Quarterback Battle may have had a whole different look..
Regardless of who starts on September 3rd one thing is clear. As far as the Signal Caller, Oregon has depth and plenty of it entering the season and everyone has the talent to the ball to the bevy of Wide Receivers on the Oregon roster.
Next: Mariota Impressive In Preseason Opener
Oregon begins the 2016 season hosting UC Davis on Saturday, September 3rd(2pm Pacific Time, Pac-12 Networks)