In January Oregon entered a negotiation with a high-priced, high-profile offensive tackle, Jordan Seaton, but dropped out of the bidding when it reached $3 million.
It turned out that the Ducks' future franchise offensive lineman was already in the building. In Immanuel Iheanacho, the five-star from Georgetown Prep in North Bethesda, Maryland, the Ducks have a 6-7. 375 road grader with 36-inch arms, a 7-foot-2.5-inch wingspan and 11-inch hands, ranked the No. 5 player in the country in the ESPN 300.
While Seaton and his entourage focused on their nationwide tour and playing one school against the other to get the biggest deal, Iheanacho chose development. The Ducks got the tackle with the 600-pound squat, the basketball player and honor roll student who mauled elite competition at the UnderArmour All-America Bowl.
Building a great offensive line tradition takes evaluation, patience and development
The foundation of a great, consistent offensive line tradition comes through high school recruiting. Yesterday the Ducks showed that again by adding a pair of tall offensive tackles, 6-6, 280 four-star Drew Fielder from Servite High School in Whittier, California, and 6-6, 290 three-star Avery Michael from Turlock High School in Turlock, California.
Michael told Greg Biggins of Rivals, “NFL development was huge for me and I can get that at Oregon.” Fielder said, "I just couldn't pass up the opportunity."
Think of the way the Oregon offensive line played in key moments last year-- not the disappointing end to the season, but the 12-game grind to reach the playoffs and the two playoff wins that defined it. At the White Out game or the testing 18-16 slugfest at Kinnick Stadium, or the beatdown of USC at Autzen, the offensive line hung together despite injuries, despite crowd noise, despite pressure.
While there were limitations and flaws, there were very few false start penalties or lapses in communication. The unit moved the ball, gashing a tough Iowa defensive line for 261 yards rushing, handling the extreme pressure of double overtime against Penn State, moving the Trojan front for 179 yards, 4.4 yards a carry and three touchdowns while relying on Fox Crader, Trent Ferguson and Kawika Rogers off the bench.
An offensive line does that with cohesiveness and unit discipline, something that takes time and development and players who want to be here. Oregon had 30 players leave through the transfer portal this year, but only one of them was an offensive lineman.
The rest committed to a long-term plan and each other. The staff executed a plan to keep them.
Adding Iheanacho, Tommy Tofi, Koloi Keli and now Avery and Fielder, the Oregon coaches are operating out of a cohesive strategy, acquiring players with the traits and potential to be a strong offensive line year after year, players who embrace the core values of the program. Additions from the portal have to meet the same standard, size, commitment and work ethic.
This year Terry brought in 6-5, 310 Michael Bennett from Yale, an unheralded three-star right tackle, but Bennett is twice All-Ivy with one penalty in over 800 snaps last season, two sacks and nine pressures as a pass blocker. He has the right frame and discipline. Like the rest, he wants to be developed.
The Ducks are built to compete right now but by identifying high school prospects with compatible traits and the right focus, they're building a succession and an identity.