Oregon Ducks News: Four-star defensive lineman due to quack, NBA lineups hard to crack, NIL gets messy

Ducks gain two predictions to land Deuce Geralds

Four-star defensive tackle Deuce Geralds of Collins Hill High in Suwanee, Georgia announces his college decision on August 2, and Rivals/On3 Sports analysts Steve Wiltfong and Sam Spiegelman are unanimous that he'll pick Oregon.

The two entered their predictions in an article at the website Friday.

The 6-1, 266 Geralds projects as a 3-technique defensive tackle or strongside defensive end, strong and quick rather than a behemoth inside. His outstanding characteristics are the ability to make plays and disrupt, penetrating rather than being the ginormous nose tackle whose job it is to tie up blockers.

Geralds shoots gaps, spins and eludes them altogether.

His father Daverin Geralds Senior played four seasons in the SEC, the starting center on the Rebels' 2010 Cotton Bowl-winning team, but the son is empowered to make his own decision.

Geralds has exceptional "iron versus iron" value as a high-energy player, a beast inside who challenges offensive linemen with his strength, creativity and persistence, forces them to move their feet.

In other recruiting news, 6-4, 240 edge rusher Anthony "Tank" Jones announced Friday that he's down to a final three of Alabama, Texas A&M and Oregon. He told On3, "I've been an Alabama fan since I was born. I've always wanted to do it and play for them. The new staff, I've built great relationships with them."

Jones hasn't set a decision date as yet, but he's expected to commit before the early signing period, December 4-6.

Former Ducks ride the pines at NBA Summer League

In NBA Summer League action last night former Oregon stars Keeshawn Barthelemy and Brandon Angel received the dreaded "Did not play--coach's decision" stat line, Angel in the Suns' 103-84 victory over the Washington Wizards, Barthelemy in Portland's 106-73 trouncing of Golden State.

New Trail Blazers 7-1 center Yang Hansen made his NBA debut with 10 points and 5 assists, though he committed six fouls in 24 minutes of playing time. He chipped in four rebounds, three blocks and a steal in his promising Summer League debut.

Clouded, muddled, controversial beginning for the House settlement, NIL and the SCORE bill

At Big 12 Media Days Tuesday former Duck assistant and current Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham told reporters that NIL was a frustrating puzzle for coaches.

“We don’t know the rules,” the Sun Devil head coach said. “The settlement passed, but who knows what Deloitte is going to clear. Until there is clarity, you’re living in limbo.”

“You are seeing a lot of people lie and promise fake things."

The ambiguity and uncertainty creates an environment overzealous boosters can exploit and with revenue sharing and NIL money flowing, under-the-table payments become impossible to detect. It's the old SEC bag men on steroids.

In another story ESPN reported that the new College Sports Commission is rejecting some NIL deals, ruling that they don't meet the standard of fair market value and represent pay-for-play.

Under the terms of the settlement, the NIL Go clearinghouse reviews deals to determine whether they have a legitimate business purpose. The CSC issued a letter to athletic directors explaining the standard. In the story from the Associated Press:

"In its letter to the ADs, the CSC said more than 1,500 deals have been cleared since NIL Go launched on June 11, "ranging in value from three figures to seven figures." More than 12,000 athletes and 1,100 institutional users have registered to use the system."

"But the bulk of the letter explained that many deals could not be cleared because they did not conform to an NCAA rule that sets a "valid business purpose" standard for deals to be approved."

Meanwhile in Washington, lawmakers are debating the SCORE Act, which would seek to codify provisions of the House Settlement by formally protecting name, image and likeness while setting up a revenue-sharing cap and provisions for athlete health care.

Scott Reed of Duck Sports Central examines the legislation closely in Friday's Flock Talk column, identifying its shortcomings:

"The SCORE Act looks, at first glance, like a gift to athletes. It promises a right to profit from NIL, expanded mental health services, and medical care that extends beyond graduation. There’s even degree completion aid and new requirements for life skills education."

"But like the "fake plastic love" in Thom Yorke’s lyrics, these gestures are more about appearance than substance. Underneath, the bill consolidates power exactly where it has always lived: with the NCAA and its powerful conferences."

All of this will be tested in court, and in the marketplace by the unchecked desire to win. For now, college football recruiting is a runaway train.

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