Pac-10 Position Breakdown: Wide Receiver – Oregon Ducks
With proven all-conference talent at quarterback and running back, Oregon must now find stability at wide receiver. It has been a very busy offseason at the position with the program losing four wideouts.
Primary 2008 contributors Terence Scott and Jaison Williams are gone to graduation (combined 3,301 yards and 26 TD’s for their careers). Promising young receivers Chris Harper and Aaron Pflugrad have decided to transfer to other schools (Kansas State and Arizona State, respectively).
Despite losing all of that production and potential, head coach Chip Kelly still has plenty to like about the Ducks wideouts in 2009. The receiving unit will be greatly aided by some of the most athletic tight ends in the Pac-10, including an accomplished senior that is one of America’s best at the position.
One wide receiver that figures to get more of the spotlight after all of the off-season shuffling is junior Jeff Maehl. Only a couple of years ago, Maehl was playing as a reserve in the defensive secondary before switching to wideout. He had an excellent 2008 campaign at WR, catching 39 passes for 421 yards while also tying for the team lead in TD catches with five. He started every game of the season in 2008 for Oregon.
Jeff Maehl secures the ball for the catch
The 6-1 175 pound Maehl is a reliable pass-catcher, with a knack for running tight routes and finding the gaps in defensive zones. He is a perfect fit for the slot in Chip Kelly’s spread-offense, and has already established chemistry with Masoli. The Paradise (CA) native enjoyed a productive spring, and will begin the season as one of the three starters at wide receiver.
The most exciting wideout on the team is junior Jamere Holland. The transfer from USC will be entering his second season with the Ducks, and although he had a quiet 2008 campaign (4 receptions, 53 yards), Eugene is buzzing about his potential in 2009.
At 6-1 185 pounds, Holland is a prototypical deep-threat with world-class speed. The Taft High School (CA) product won state track titles in the 100m and 200m in 2005, and recorded a 10.36 100m time in 2006 (3rd fastest time in the nation in 2006).
Holland was arguably the best offensive player of the entire spring. He caught lengthy touchdown passes in multiple practice sessions throughout April. After struggling to learn the playbook for much of last season, Holland will enter 2009 with a firm grasp of Kelly’s offense. His ability to stretch the field should create space for the other receivers and running backs, and he enters spring as the starting wideout on the outside.
Aaron Plufgrad’s decision to transfer has opened the door for senior Rory Cavaille. The 6-3 207 pound former walk-on is primed for a much bigger role with the offense than he has had in the past. Cavaille has only 6 career receptions for 42 yards and one TD, but is a sure-handed receiver with good route-running skills. The Shelton (WA) native could be pushed for playing time during 2009, but will enter the season as the third starting receiver.
Junior receiver D.J. Davis could be a factor for the Ducks this season. He showed great ability in 2008 before an injury against Stanford cut his season short. The 6-1 205 pound Davis has eight career catches for 120 yards and one touchdown. Rivals and Scout.com gave the Denver (CO) native 4-star recognition after his great career at Montbello High School. Davis enters the fall right behind Cavaille on the depth chart.
Exciting newcomers Tyrece Gaines and Diante Jackson could also find playing time in 2009.
The 6-2 225 pound Gaines is a junior college transfer from Butler County C.C. (KS). He is a great athlete possessing 4.4 speed, and also has the size to block downfield. Gaines was given a 4-star rating by Rivals.com and ranked as the #8 junior college player in the country.
The 6-1 188 pound Jackson is a true freshman, choosing Oregon over a few other Pac-10 schools. The Walnut Creek (CA) native was also a Rivals and Scout.com 4-star selection. He will push the starters for time this fall.
One more name to look out for this season is sophomore Lavasier Tuinei. The 6-5 200 pound JC transfer is a big target who could offset the loss of Jaison Williams (another big target). Tuinei transferred to Oregon from Golden West C.C. and participated in spring practice this past April in Eugene. The Arcadia (IN) native showed Chip Kelly and the UO coaches what he could do in the spring game, catching a team high five passes for 59 yards and one touchdown for the Green squad.
Tight Ends
Senior Ed Dickson leads this deep and talented group of tight ends. Dickson has been a mainstay at the position for the last couple of years, and enters 2009 as a Mackey Award candidate. Last season, he finished second on the team in receiving yards with 508 yards on 35 receptions and three touchdowns. For his career, Dickson has 82 catches for 1,006 yards and 6 TDs. He earned second team All-Pac-10 honors last season.
Ed Dickson reaches out for the catch
The 6-5 243 pound Dickson is the Ducks premier pass-catcher heading into 2009. For his size, Dickson runs with very good speed, and can be a mismatch for any defense. He has the size to outmuscle defensive backs, and the speed to run by linebackers. Dickson is also a gifted blocker, helping to open holes for the great Oregon run game during his career in Eugene. The Bellflower (CA) native will enter his last season at Oregon primed and ready for a great 2009 season.
Dickson will be backed up by another supremely athletic tight end in junior Malachi Lewis. The 6-4 220 pound Lewis has played sparingly in every game since joining the Ducks two years ago, and has 5 receptions for 37 yards in his career. Chip Kelly may utilize his great hands and speed more this season, but Lewis must also demonstrate that he has improved as a blocker. The Oxnard (CA) native enjoyed a solid spring and is the clear number two on he depth chart.
Hybrid athlete Dion Jordan could be called upon as a receiver or tight end this season. At 6-7 215 pounds, the gifted redshirt freshman is a frightening mismatch option for defensive coordinators to deal with. He may not see much time with Dickson and Lewis in front of him, but he would be a perfect fit for the red-zone offense. The Chandler (AZ) native was given 4-stars by Scout.com.
Other receivers and tight ends competing for time are: freshman Will Murphy and Blake Cantu, and sophomores David Paulson and Garrett Embry.
My Take
When you have a running game that averages 280 yards per contest, the offense is already in pretty good shape; but I believe this unit of receivers has the potential to make Oregon a balanced offensive attack in 2009. With all of the off-season losses at wideout, there are still plenty of weapons for Jeremiah Masoli to work with.
It all starts with Dickson, who I think could be all-conference again this season. Masoli found him often in 2008, and the production should go up even more in 2009. Maehl is a steady provider, and the excitement surrounding Holland is palpable in Eugene. I expect the former track star to be a hit this season, as long as he continues to make the strides that he did during the spring. There are also some exciting freshmen that could have an impact as the season develops.
The unit has question marks, but I believe that all of this talent will come together for a productive season in 2009.
Oregon Ducks
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D.J. Davis, Diante Jackson, Dion Jordan, Ed Dickson, Football, Jamere Holland, Jeff Maehl, Lavasier Tuinei, Malachi Lewis, Rory Cavaille, Tight End, Tyrece Gaines, Wide Receiver
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