Wide Receiver Darren Carrington learned his fate on Thursday following his DUII Arrest two weeks ago and he is no longer a part of Oregon Football.
Carrington had a huge Spring Game bringing in three touchdowns from Quarterback Justin Herbert. With a team that has given second chances and had players in trouble in the past under Head Coaches’ Mark Helfrich and Chip Kelly respectively, Taggart put his foot down.
It was a statement that needed to be made. Oregon will move forward without Darren Carrington on the field. For a young man who was a potential NFL Draft Prospect following the 2016 season, the road to the NFL will have to be rebuilt elsewhere after his DUII Arrest earlier this month.
Carrington was at the top of the list of likely Starters entering the upcoming season. Oregon will lean on Charles Nelson to take that role. Malik Lovette and Dillon Mitchell will also be players to watch in Fall Camp. As Oregon pitches the ‘next man up’ mentality, the Wide Receiver Corps should be in decent hands, but if there is an injury, the loss of Carrington will certainly be felt.
"“I have visited with Darren Carrington and informed him that he is no longer a member of our program. We will always consider Darren a Duck and support him in any way we can. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors”Statement by Head Coach Willie Taggart on the Dismissal of Darren Carrington"
The program under Head Coach Willie Taggart will not put up with distractions and this was a distraction. Unlike his predecessors, the judgment was relatively fast, not leading into Fall Camp. The team enters another few weeks of offseason before Fall Camp begins ahead of the season opener.
Next: Sprinter Deajah Stevens Turns Pro
Oregon opens the 2017 Football season hosting Southern Utah on Saturday, September 2nd(5:15pm Pac-12 Network)