Even more Oregon Ducks News: Former A-A safety joins staff, Liberty eclipse Sun

Duck great joins staff as recruiting specialist

Verone McKinley has joined the Oregon recruiting staff, a Consensus All-American in 2021 from Carrollton, Texas who played two seasons in the NFL.

McKinley started three seasons as a Duck before signing with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2022, a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award with 11 career interceptions at UO. In the upset win over Ohio State in 2021 he forced a fumble and picked off a pass from CJ Stroud in the fourth quarter that sealed the game.

In his Monday press conference Dan Lanning said, "We really care about the guys that have given so much to this program and Verone is a great example."

McKinley will assist the staff's efforts in the recruiting hotbed of the Lone Star State, where in recent seasons the team has picked up elite prospects like Dakorien Moore, Tradarian Ball and Jalen Lott.

Ionescu, Liberty eclipse Sun as Stewart returns

Star forward Breanna Stewart returned to the lineup after a two-month absence, sparking WNBA defending champion New York to an 81-79 win in Brooklyn Monday night.

Stewart led all scorers with 19 points, returning to the lineup for the first time in 14 games. Pro Duck Sabrina Ionescu dished out nine assists and converted 4-4 from the line, 11 points and seven rebounds as the Libs hung on for the win in the Barclays Center, ending a five-of-seven slump.

Browns quarterback situation gains clarity with Pickett's charge to Raiders

Cleveland sent No. 2 quarterback Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders Monday, a day after waiving journeyman backup Tyler Huntley.

That leaves the team with three active quarterbacks, 40-year-old starter Joe Flacco, Pro Duck Dillon Gabriel and former Colorado Buffalo Shedeur Sanders.

Oregon receiver commit Kesean Bowman visiting Ohio State

An explosive 2027 wide receiver from Brentwood, Tennessee, Bowman committed to the Ducks on July 24. This weekend he's visiting Ohio State for their game against No. 1 Texas, an electric atmosphere that will challenge the depth of his Oregon pledge.

It's a case of turnabout is fair play. The Ducks are actively trying to flip 2026 Ohio State commit Chris Henry Jr. without much success. Bowman earned a five-star rating in the 247Sports Composite after tallying 56 catches for 1,023 yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore.

The Ducks' challenge is that their new rival in the Big Ten is widely perceived as wide receiver U. after sending a series of top pass catchers to the pros and establishing Jeremiah Smith as the most dynamic player in college football.

The Ducks have to shake that perception, and they can start with a high-impact freshman season from Dakorien Moore, their new star from Duncanville, Texas, who'll line up at Z receiver this Saturday against Montana State.

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