Savannah Bananas cameo by a Duck great prompts a compelling question

De'Anthony Thomas pinch-ran for the Party Animals yesterday. He didn't get to do much, as the batter popped out to left.

The Savannah Bananas and their foils, the Animals, played trick-play exhibition baseball at Autzen Stadium this weekend to soldout crowds. Thomas' return to the House of Loud drew a big ovation.

The script went awry. The moment would have been three times as large had Thomas had an opportunity to steal second and third, maybe even home. Somebody missed a cue. That would have sent the capacity crowd into a frenzy.

Thomas bit as Banana Ball baserunning specialist all too brief

In all the Bananas were a huge hit in Eugene and delighted fans were their bag of backflips, between-the-legs fielding plays and a pitcher on stilts. It's not traditional baseball, but they sell fun in bunches. A quick look at some of the showmanship in major league baseball, plus the gaudy alternative uniforms worn some days, shows the Bananas, Firemen and Party Animals have had some influence.

The exhibition brings to mind an interesting summer question. What if Thomas could pinch-run for the football Ducks, or the team could bring back one star from the past, maybe for the playoffs? Already the NCAA has approved a new 5-for-5 rule that allows players five years of eligibility, a clock that begins when they first enroll in college or reach their 19th birthday, whichever comes first.

There are limited exceptions for military service or a religious mission. The new rule eliminates medical waivers, redshirts and hardship exceptions, though it's certain to be challenged in court.

Recent seasons have gotten ridiculous with fifth, sixth and seventh-year transfers, players like Diego Pavia and Trinidad Chambliss, or former Duck Cam McCormick, extending their college careers to ridiculous lengths with petitions, the Covid extension and pleas to friendly judges.

But suppose, just suppose, the Ducks could bring back one player from the past to round out the current team, which currently stands at +800 to win the national championship according to FanDuel. Who would Dan Lanning draft?

Thomas would be a popular choice, a big-play artist and special teams wizard who struck for 45 touchdowns in his college career while averaging 8.9 yards per play from scrimmage.

He wouldn't be the most judicious. Given the choice, Lanning would probably think in terms of depth and needs. Where does the team need the biggest upgrade? Though it's one of the most talented rosters in college football this year, there are several possibilities.

1. The 2026 Ducks are strong at running back, but a bit thin behind Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill. They lack impact there in terms of depth, yet to identify a reliable third option going into the season between transfer Simeon Price, Dink Riggs or the freshman, Texarkana, Texas speedster Tradarian Ball.

Ball approximates Thomas' skill set in terms of speed and versatility. If Lanning were to add a running back in anticipation of a potential 17-game season, he'd likely choose a durable bellcow like Royce Freeman or Jonathan Stewart, or a steady, dependable Swiss Army Knife like Kenjon Barner, a mature, heady player who went on to play nine seasons in the NFL and win three Super Bowl rings with the Patriots, Eagles and Buccaneers.

Thomas was smoke through a keyhole, a mercurial player who flashed in certain games but disappeared in others. Freeman, Stewart and Barner would be a steadying presence on a team that faces some big road games this year at USC and Ohio State, a potential rematch with Indiana in the Big Ten Championship game or the playoffs.

This edition of the Ducks doesn't lack for speed, explosiveness or showmanship. Their potential is unlimited. Their biggest challenge lies in living up to the hype, and that takes focus, execution and consistency. Lanning's best bet would be to add a veteran leader.

2. The coach has roots in the defense, so he'd likely look there. Haloti Ngata is perhaps Oregon's most dominant player of all time but this year's defensive line is one of the strongest in college football with four NFL players returning for their senior year, A'Mauri Washington, Bear Alexander, Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti.

Even though he's a Hall of Famer, the hypothetical return of the 6-4, 340 Ngata wouldn't elevate this group as much as an addition elsewhere. Washington, Alexander, Uiagalelei and Tuioti are all capable of producing their own Ngata-like seasons. Matayo U. is in sight of the Oregon career sack record.

There's good depth behind the starters in Matthew Johnson, Aydin Breland, Nas Wyatt and Elijah Rushing. Ngata's an all-time great, but he isn't an overwhelming need on this roster.

Given the chance, Lanning would likely look for help at Star or inside linebacker. Those are the positions where the current roster has lingering questions, missing a proven starter.

It's academic anyway, more a way to evaluate the roster rather than a serious option, but the players who would do the most to improve Oregon's shot at a title are Patrick Chung, Jairus Byrd or Kiko Alonso. They'd be difference-makers. If Carl Williams IV and Devon Jackson rise to the level of Chung, Byrd and Alonso, Duck fans will have a chance to go Bananas in 2026, back-flipping all the way to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

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