Oregon Ducks: Big Ten
ESPN 300 OL Hunt recaps Oregon visit 
January, 20, 2013
Jan 20
4:31
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By
Brandon P. Oliver | ESPN.com
After a hectic trip to the Big Ten country last weekend to officially visit rivals Michigan and Ohio State, Under Armour All-American OL Cameron Hunt (Corona, Calif./Centennial) had it a little easier this weekend.
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LB Mike Mitchell focused on playoffs
November, 15, 2012
11/15/12
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By
Brandon P. Oliver | ESPN.com
As the Oregon Ducks try to piece together a huge recruiting weekend, one of the rumored visitors was LB Mike Mitchell of Plano (Texas) Prestonwood Christian Academy. The No. 121 player in the ESPN 150 has the Ducks among his top four schools, along with Ohio State, Oklahoma and Texas A&M. The Ducks currently trail favorite Ohio State, as well as the Sooners and the Aggies, and seem like a long shot. By Mitchell's own admission, the Ducks are running fourth, but mostly due to the fact that he knows less about them than his other finalists.
Mitchell was rumored to be heading to Oregon for an official visit this weekend. But like so many other potential visitors, Mitchell is focused on the playoffs and will not make the trip to Eugene according to his father, Ken.
"I'm not sure where that rumor came from really. He is only focused on football right now. During the football season it's really just school work and football for Mike," Ken Mitchell said. "I believe he has been in contact with Oregon but he will not be visiting there this weekend or any other weekend until his season is over."
Mitchell was rumored to be heading to Oregon for an official visit this weekend. But like so many other potential visitors, Mitchell is focused on the playoffs and will not make the trip to Eugene according to his father, Ken.
"I'm not sure where that rumor came from really. He is only focused on football right now. During the football season it's really just school work and football for Mike," Ken Mitchell said. "I believe he has been in contact with Oregon but he will not be visiting there this weekend or any other weekend until his season is over."
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Michigan commit Conley still thinking Ducks
November, 8, 2012
11/08/12
9:00
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By
Brandon P. Oliver | ESPN.com
One of the biggest recruiting battles brewing as the 2013 recruiting cycle begins to hit it's peak, is one that seemingly came out of nowhere. After a long commitment to Michigan, CB Gareon Conley (Massillon, Ohio/Washington) has said publicly in recent weeks that Oregon is his favorite school. While it is not uncommon for a recruit to talk about a favorite school, it doesn't always mean that school is the best fit for him.
The No. 62 player in the latest edition of the ESPN 150 took a risk by openly discussing his desire to visit Oregon, Cincinnati and most recently, Ohio State. Michigan head coach Brady Hoke has been pretty firm in his rule that if a recruit takes a visit to another school while he is committed to Michigan, his commitment is no longer recognized.
Conley has spoken to the Michigan staff since the rival Buckeyes offered the 6-foot-1, 180-pounder two weeks ago. After expressing his desire to do so, he was told by the Michigan staff that if he chose to visit Oregon and Ohio State, he would no longer be considered a Wolverines' commit.
The No. 62 player in the latest edition of the ESPN 150 took a risk by openly discussing his desire to visit Oregon, Cincinnati and most recently, Ohio State. Michigan head coach Brady Hoke has been pretty firm in his rule that if a recruit takes a visit to another school while he is committed to Michigan, his commitment is no longer recognized.
Conley has spoken to the Michigan staff since the rival Buckeyes offered the 6-foot-1, 180-pounder two weeks ago. After expressing his desire to do so, he was told by the Michigan staff that if he chose to visit Oregon and Ohio State, he would no longer be considered a Wolverines' commit.
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Watch: College Football Final (Week 2)
September, 9, 2012
9/09/12
7:34
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By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
Jim Basquil and the ESPN.com College Football team deliver the highlights, analysis, and interviews from an exciting Week 2 of College Football.
OL J.D Hinnant talks top four, visits
August, 28, 2012
8/28/12
9:00
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By
Brandon P. Oliver | ESPN.com
With the Oregon Ducks still in search of a third offensive lineman to add to their recruiting class, the name most often associated with the Ducks is somewhat of a late bloomer. Better late than never.
Having earned 13 scholarship offers since the spring, versatile lineman J.D. Hinnant (Fountain Valley, Calif./Fountain Valley) has seen his name pop up everywhere.
"It has been pretty crazy really. Going from no offers to having 13 in a matter of months, it is kind of hard to believe sometimes" Hinnant said.
Having earned 13 scholarship offers since the spring, versatile lineman J.D. Hinnant (Fountain Valley, Calif./Fountain Valley) has seen his name pop up everywhere.
"It has been pretty crazy really. Going from no offers to having 13 in a matter of months, it is kind of hard to believe sometimes" Hinnant said.
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ESPN 100 forward Semi Ojeleye to visit
August, 27, 2012
8/27/12
12:46
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By
Brandon P. Oliver | ESPN.com
After learning last week that two of the nation's top high school basketball players would make official visits this fall, the Oregon basketball program received more good news when the Ducks were named to the top four of one of the elite small forwards in the country.
Being named among the favorites for both Aaron Gordon (San Jose, Calif./Archbishop Mitty) and Jabari Bird (Richmond, Calif./Salesian) was a big deal for the Ducks, but it was more surprising when four-star small forward Semi Ojeleye (Ottawa, Kan./Ottawa) named Oregon as the fourth school in his final group. The Ducks are the wild card as Duke, Indiana and Stanford have long been known as the leaders for the No. 9 small-forward in the ESPN 100.
Ojeleye unofficially visited Oregon and came away impressed with the facilities and the vision that Oregon coach Dana Altman has for him.
Being named among the favorites for both Aaron Gordon (San Jose, Calif./Archbishop Mitty) and Jabari Bird (Richmond, Calif./Salesian) was a big deal for the Ducks, but it was more surprising when four-star small forward Semi Ojeleye (Ottawa, Kan./Ottawa) named Oregon as the fourth school in his final group. The Ducks are the wild card as Duke, Indiana and Stanford have long been known as the leaders for the No. 9 small-forward in the ESPN 100.
Ojeleye unofficially visited Oregon and came away impressed with the facilities and the vision that Oregon coach Dana Altman has for him.
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USC wasn't eligible for the coaches' poll in 2011 due to NCAA sanctions, but it will start 2012 almost at the top.
The Trojans are ranked third, behind No. 1 LSU and No. 2 Alabama, the two SEC teams that played for the BCS national title last season.
The vote at the top was tight. USC, with 19, and Alabama, with 20, actually got more No. 1 votes than LSU (18). That should be your first warning of the "What the heck" nature of the poll. LSU, which welcomes back 15 starters from a 13-1 team and upgraded at quarterback with Zach Mettenberger, seems like a clear No. 1 to the Pac-12 blog.
LSU, with 1,403 points, was just ahead of Alabama, at 1,399. USC got 1,388.
It's a little surprising that USC isn't No. 2. Alabama only has 11 position players returning, including just five from last season's outstanding defense. But coaches tend to tip their caps to defending champs, and it's not unlikely that each of the seven SEC coaches in the poll -- the Pac-12 had six -- voted the SEC teams one-two. I also have a hunch a Pac-12 coach -- or two -- didn't vote USC either No. 1 or 2.
And, of course, the coaches poll, though it is unfortunately included in the BCS standings, is the least respected of all polls due to its regional biases, obvious conflicts of interest, lack of transparency and the simple fact that few coaches pay attention to teams they don't play. Oh, and many of the coaches hand off their votes to sports information directors.
Oregon comes in at No. 5, 18 points behind No. 4 Oklahoma. Stanford is 18th, just ahead of the Oklahoma State team that nipped the Cardinal in the Fiesta Bowl.
And that's it for the Pac-12 in the top-25. Washington came in at No. 26 and Utah at 32nd, based on the "others receiving votes" tally.
The SEC led all conferences with seven ranked teams. The Big 12 had six, including new members West Virginia and TCU. The Big Ten had four, the ACC three.
It's also evident that the voters ran out of steam in the top 25. Florida, Notre Dame and Auburn combined for 16 losses in 2011, but were ranked Nos. 23, 24 and 25, respectively.
As we noted, "What the heck!"
Here are the coaches who voted, per USA Today, including the six Pac-12 coaches, who are bolded:
The Trojans are ranked third, behind No. 1 LSU and No. 2 Alabama, the two SEC teams that played for the BCS national title last season.
The vote at the top was tight. USC, with 19, and Alabama, with 20, actually got more No. 1 votes than LSU (18). That should be your first warning of the "What the heck" nature of the poll. LSU, which welcomes back 15 starters from a 13-1 team and upgraded at quarterback with Zach Mettenberger, seems like a clear No. 1 to the Pac-12 blog.
LSU, with 1,403 points, was just ahead of Alabama, at 1,399. USC got 1,388.
It's a little surprising that USC isn't No. 2. Alabama only has 11 position players returning, including just five from last season's outstanding defense. But coaches tend to tip their caps to defending champs, and it's not unlikely that each of the seven SEC coaches in the poll -- the Pac-12 had six -- voted the SEC teams one-two. I also have a hunch a Pac-12 coach -- or two -- didn't vote USC either No. 1 or 2.
And, of course, the coaches poll, though it is unfortunately included in the BCS standings, is the least respected of all polls due to its regional biases, obvious conflicts of interest, lack of transparency and the simple fact that few coaches pay attention to teams they don't play. Oh, and many of the coaches hand off their votes to sports information directors.
Oregon comes in at No. 5, 18 points behind No. 4 Oklahoma. Stanford is 18th, just ahead of the Oklahoma State team that nipped the Cardinal in the Fiesta Bowl.
And that's it for the Pac-12 in the top-25. Washington came in at No. 26 and Utah at 32nd, based on the "others receiving votes" tally.
The SEC led all conferences with seven ranked teams. The Big 12 had six, including new members West Virginia and TCU. The Big Ten had four, the ACC three.
It's also evident that the voters ran out of steam in the top 25. Florida, Notre Dame and Auburn combined for 16 losses in 2011, but were ranked Nos. 23, 24 and 25, respectively.
As we noted, "What the heck!"
Here are the coaches who voted, per USA Today, including the six Pac-12 coaches, who are bolded:
The USA TODAY Board of Coaches is made up of 59 head coaches at Bowl Subdivision schools. All are members of the American Football Coaches Association. The board for the 2012 season: David Bailiff, Rice; Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech; Tim Beckman, Illinois; Bret Bielema, Wisconsin; Terry Bowden, Akron; Art Briles, Baylor; Troy Calhoun, Air Force; Matt Campbell, Toledo; Gene Chizik, Auburn; Dave Christensen, Wyoming; Mark Dantonio, Michigan State; Tim DeRuyter, Fresno State; Dave Doeren, Northern Illinois; Sonny Dykes, Louisiana Tech; Jimbo Fisher, Florida State; Kyle Flood, Rutgers; James Franklin, Vanderbilt; Al Golden, Miami (Fla.); Jim Grobe, Wake Forest; Darrell Hazell, Kent State; Brady Hoke, Michigan; Dana Holgorsen, West Virginia; Skip Holtz, South Florida; Mark Hudspeth, Louisiana-Lafayette; Curtis Johnson, Tulane; Ellis Johnson, Southern Miss; Butch Jones, Cincinnati; Brian Kelly, Notre Dame; Lane Kiffin, Southern California; Mike Leach, Washington State; Pete Lembo, Ball State; Tony Levine, Houston; Mike London, Virginia; Rocky Long, San Diego State; Dan McCarney, North Texas; Mike MacIntyre, San Jose State; Ruffin McNeill, East Carolina; Gus Malzahn, Arkansas State; Bronco Mendenhall, BYU; Les Miles, LSU; George O'Leary, Central Florida; Paul Pasqualoni, Connecticut; Bo Pelini, Nebraska; Chris Petersen, Boise State; Joker Phillips, Kentucky; Paul Rhoads, Iowa State; Mark Richt, Georgia; Mike Riley, Oregon State; Rich Rodriguez, Arizona; Nick Saban, Alabama; Steve Sarkisian, Washington; Frank Solich, Ohio; Steve Spurrier, South Carolina; Rick Stockstill, Middle Tennessee; Bob Stoops, Oklahoma; Dabo Swinney, Clemson; Jeff Tedford, California; Tommy Tuberville, Texas Tech; Kevin Wilson, Indiana.
Cali CB Adoree' Jackson on the rise
July, 25, 2012
7/25/12
6:48
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By
Brandon P. Oliver | ESPN.com
Gardena (Calif.) Serra High is well known for putting out wide receivers, but one of the top players in Southern California is on the other side of the field for the Cavaliers.
Junior Adoree' Jackson emerged this spring as he was among the top defensive backs at the Los Angeles NFTC that included elite defensive backs like Max Redfield, Chris Hawkins, Tahaan Goodman, Tyler Foreman and Priest Willis. Onlookers and coaches alike agreed that Jackson was as good as any of them.
"Adoree is ferocious. He is real athletic, has good hips and is more physical than you would think. He has a bright future ahead of him. He will be at the top of his class and can go anywhere he wants," said Michael Fletcher, head defensive backs coach for the NFTC.
Junior Adoree' Jackson emerged this spring as he was among the top defensive backs at the Los Angeles NFTC that included elite defensive backs like Max Redfield, Chris Hawkins, Tahaan Goodman, Tyler Foreman and Priest Willis. Onlookers and coaches alike agreed that Jackson was as good as any of them.
"Adoree is ferocious. He is real athletic, has good hips and is more physical than you would think. He has a bright future ahead of him. He will be at the top of his class and can go anywhere he wants," said Michael Fletcher, head defensive backs coach for the NFTC.
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Links: Kelly among the coaching elite
July, 13, 2012
7/13/12
12:03
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By DuckNation staff | ESPN.com
ESPN.com's Travis Haney recognized Ducks coach Chip Kelly as one of the top 10 coaches in the country in his article today. See where Kelly ranks on the list here (Insider story).
Also, ESPN.com Pac-12 reporter Ted Miller gives his top five Pac-12 assistant coaches that are ready for a head coaching job. See which Ducks assistant made his list here.
On another note, the Pac-12/Big Ten scheduling agreement was dissolved Friday due to scheduling concerns from the Pac-12 side. Big Ten reporter Adam Rittenberg's story is here while Miller's Pac-12 reaction can be read here. A timeline of the events that led to the agreement's demise is here.
Also, ESPN.com Pac-12 reporter Ted Miller gives his top five Pac-12 assistant coaches that are ready for a head coaching job. See which Ducks assistant made his list here.
On another note, the Pac-12/Big Ten scheduling agreement was dissolved Friday due to scheduling concerns from the Pac-12 side. Big Ten reporter Adam Rittenberg's story is here while Miller's Pac-12 reaction can be read here. A timeline of the events that led to the agreement's demise is here.
ABOUT DUCK NATION
Brandon Oliver
Brandon Oliver joined ESPN in 2012. In recent years, Oliver has been involved in the Nike Football Tour with both ESPNHS and Nike. He has covered West Coast recruiting for various online outlets since 2008, with an emphasis on Oregon football. Email him at boliverespn@gmail.com.