Oregon Ducks: Eric Dungy
Oregon recruiting by state: Florida 
November, 14, 2012
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Brandon P. Oliver | ESPN.com
If 10 years ago someone read the words, "Oregon signs ESPN 150 athlete from Florida," morning coffee would have been spit out. It would be hard enough to imagine a small school -- with no tradition -- from the rainy Pacific Northwest signing anyone from the Sunshine State, let alone an ESPN 150 member.
While it was only one, the Ducks did just that in 2011 when Tacoi Sumler signed with the Ducks over schools such as Auburn, Clemson, Florida State and South Carolina. Looking back at the past decade of Oregon's recruiting in Florida, there have been two big recruits to sign with the Ducks, but neither finished their careers in Eugene. When the Ducks landed Ryan Gilliam of Tallahassee (Fla.) Lincoln -- a Florida State pipeline school -- after he was originally committed to the local Seminoles, people were amazed that they pulled it off.
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Oregon recruiting: Central and Eastern
August, 23, 2012
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Brandon P. Oliver | ESPN.com
As Oregon has become a national name over the past decade, its recruiting reach has expanded to never before seen levels.
The Ducks will always have California as their most fertile recruiting ground and the place from which the foundation of the program is built. But as the Ducks have become a more recognizable brand in recent years, they have been able to attract the attention of recruits from far and wide.
Here is a look at what the Ducks have been able to accomplish over the past decade when recruiting the Central and Eastern time zones. There have been some major hits, some hidden gems and also some big disappointments.
The Ducks will always have California as their most fertile recruiting ground and the place from which the foundation of the program is built. But as the Ducks have become a more recognizable brand in recent years, they have been able to attract the attention of recruits from far and wide.
Here is a look at what the Ducks have been able to accomplish over the past decade when recruiting the Central and Eastern time zones. There have been some major hits, some hidden gems and also some big disappointments.
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Oregon rethinking recruiting philosophy?
August, 15, 2012
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Brandon P. Oliver | ESPN.com
Oregon has been on a recruiting tear in recent years. The recent success of the Ducks has produced the golden age of Oregon football.
The Ducks have always done a masterful job of finding diamonds in the rough and developing talent that was overlooked coming out of high school. In recent years the Ducks have been able to stockpile high-level recruits and develop them the same way they would an obscure walk-on.
A lot was made of Oregon's shift in recruiting philosophy when Chip Kelly took over for Mike Bellotti in 2009. Bellotti built the program up from where longtime coach Rich Brooks had left it. Kelly has taken it to a whole new level.
The Ducks have always done a masterful job of finding diamonds in the rough and developing talent that was overlooked coming out of high school. In recent years the Ducks have been able to stockpile high-level recruits and develop them the same way they would an obscure walk-on.
A lot was made of Oregon's shift in recruiting philosophy when Chip Kelly took over for Mike Bellotti in 2009. Bellotti built the program up from where longtime coach Rich Brooks had left it. Kelly has taken it to a whole new level.
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Ducks lose WR Tacoi Sumler to transfer
August, 10, 2012
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Brandon P. Oliver | ESPN.com
Receiver Tacoi Sumler, a member of the 2011 ESPN 150, has left the Oregon football program after just one season.
No reasons have been given in regard to the precipitating events in his decision. It is not unreasonable to assume, however, that playing time played a role.
Oregon offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich recently spoke about his young wide receiving corps and mentioned that Sumler was behind fellow redshirt freshmen B.J. Kelley and Devon Blackmon in terms of development.
With Josh Huff and Rahsaan Vaughn looking like two sure starters, the Ducks have one starting spot remaining. Kelley and Blackmon are joined in the battle for the third spot by Eric Dungy, Daryle Hawkins, Blake Stanton, Keanon Lowe and Will Murphy as returning players.
Add three freshman with Bralon Addison, Dwayne Stanford and Chance Allen, and it's a fairly crowded group.
At 5-foot-8, 177-pounds, Sumler was at a disadvantage in the Oregon offense, which relies heavily on downfield blocking by the wide receivers.
The No. 62 overall prospect in the 2011 ESPN 150 signed with Oregon out of Miami (Fla.), another major coup for the Ducks in their national recruiting efforts. Like Lache Seastrunk and others before him, Sumler left the program without ever stepping on the field in an Oregon uniform.
His departure thins the Ducks' receiving unit even more, as they also lost senior wide receiver Justin Hoffman to a medical retirement last month.
No reasons have been given in regard to the precipitating events in his decision. It is not unreasonable to assume, however, that playing time played a role.
Oregon offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich recently spoke about his young wide receiving corps and mentioned that Sumler was behind fellow redshirt freshmen B.J. Kelley and Devon Blackmon in terms of development.
With Josh Huff and Rahsaan Vaughn looking like two sure starters, the Ducks have one starting spot remaining. Kelley and Blackmon are joined in the battle for the third spot by Eric Dungy, Daryle Hawkins, Blake Stanton, Keanon Lowe and Will Murphy as returning players.
Add three freshman with Bralon Addison, Dwayne Stanford and Chance Allen, and it's a fairly crowded group.
At 5-foot-8, 177-pounds, Sumler was at a disadvantage in the Oregon offense, which relies heavily on downfield blocking by the wide receivers.
The No. 62 overall prospect in the 2011 ESPN 150 signed with Oregon out of Miami (Fla.), another major coup for the Ducks in their national recruiting efforts. Like Lache Seastrunk and others before him, Sumler left the program without ever stepping on the field in an Oregon uniform.
His departure thins the Ducks' receiving unit even more, as they also lost senior wide receiver Justin Hoffman to a medical retirement last month.
Key position battles in Oregon fall camp
August, 7, 2012
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Brandon P. Oliver | ESPN.com
Every season comes with roster questions no matter the program. The three-time defending league champion Ducks lost some key pieces after 2011 but there is an abundance of talent waiting in the wings.
Not all of the key position battles involve a departed star, however. There are key returners at every spot on the field. With fall camp kicking off today there are a few key spots up for grabs.
Not being named a starter in Chip Kelly's system is not a dream killer though. Especially on defense, where the Ducks rotate more players than any team in the country.
Not all of the key position battles involve a departed star, however. There are key returners at every spot on the field. With fall camp kicking off today there are a few key spots up for grabs.
Not being named a starter in Chip Kelly's system is not a dream killer though. Especially on defense, where the Ducks rotate more players than any team in the country.
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The defending league champion Oregon Ducks kick off their quest for a Pac-12 four-peat when fall camp kicks off on Monday. The Ducks won the last two Pac-10 titles and the inaugural Pac-12 title; now they want to be the first back-to-back Pac-12 champions.
When fall camp kicks off there will be many familiar faces and also some notable players missing.
Gone are record-setting quarterback Darron Thomas, all-time leading rusher LaMichael James, team MVP David Paulson, the team's most improved player, Eddie Pleasant, and Rose Bowl Offensive MVP LaVasier Tuinei. How will they replace the departed stars? Who will step up? Is a fourth consecutive league title possible?
When fall camp kicks off there will be many familiar faces and also some notable players missing.
Gone are record-setting quarterback Darron Thomas, all-time leading rusher LaMichael James, team MVP David Paulson, the team's most improved player, Eddie Pleasant, and Rose Bowl Offensive MVP LaVasier Tuinei. How will they replace the departed stars? Who will step up? Is a fourth consecutive league title possible?
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A look back at the 2010 recruiting class
July, 24, 2012
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Brandon P. Oliver | ESPN.com
Oregon Ducks fans have been witness to one of the greatest rises in college football history over the past two decades. The Ducks have risen from cellar dwellers to one of the hottest names in all of college football. The facilities, the uniforms and the Nike connection have all played a big role in the Ducks' rise to the top of the Pac-12.
Along with the success and the increased exposure nationally, has come a major boost in recruiting elite athletes to come to Eugene. It isn't always the high school All-Americans that turn into college stars. Oregon has made a living finding "diamonds in the rough" that have helped build a powerhouse.
There have been some big names in the recruiting world who chose to play their college ball in Eugene, but how many of them have lived up to the hype?
Along with the success and the increased exposure nationally, has come a major boost in recruiting elite athletes to come to Eugene. It isn't always the high school All-Americans that turn into college stars. Oregon has made a living finding "diamonds in the rough" that have helped build a powerhouse.
There have been some big names in the recruiting world who chose to play their college ball in Eugene, but how many of them have lived up to the hype?
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WRs need to catch on for Ducks to fly
July, 4, 2012
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Brandon P. Oliver | ESPN.com
AP Photo/Tony AvelarJosh Huff has shown explosive game-breaking ability in his first two seasons at Oregon, but he also has been prone to drops and other errors of concentration.Similar to the defensive line, the current crop of wide receiver talent in Eugene is at an all-time high. Now it's time for one or two of the young and talented playmakers to rise above the rest and give Oregon a true threat on the outside. Josh Huff is the biggest threat among the returning pass catchers, but his inconsistency has been frustrating for Oregon fans in the past two seasons. Huff has the speed and athleticism to take over games but has been erratic in terms of reliability.
Joining Huff as veteran receivers in 2012 are Rahsaan Vaughn, Justin Hoffman, Eric Dungy, Daryle Hawkins and Will Murphy. While there has been improvement among this group, the prevailing thought is that one of the young guns needs to step up in order for the offense to reach its potential.
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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.