Oregon recruits get a taste of Ducks football as they participate in Rose Bowl practices
While the Oregon Ducks have their eyes set on this year's Rose Bowl matchup with Ohio State on January 1, the college football world always has one eye on the future.On the heels of a successful National Signing Day, the Ducks started getting an early look at a dozen of their 2025 recruits. 12 players […]
While the Oregon Ducks have their eyes set on this year's Rose Bowl matchup with Ohio State on January 1, the college football world always has one eye on the future.
On the heels of a successful National Signing Day, the Ducks started getting an early look at a dozen of their 2025 recruits. 12 players have enrolled early at University of Oregon, allowing them to join the team for Rose Bowl practices.
The 12 players that have enrolled early are:
- Akili Smith Jr., QB
- Jaron Keawe Sagapolutele, QB
- Douglas Utu, OL
- Ziyare Addison, OL
- Vander Ploog, TE
- Trey McNutt, DB
- Jordan Davison, RB
- Matthew Johnson, DL
- Nasir Wyatt, DL
- Demetri Manning, OL
- Cooper Perry, WR
- Dorian Brew, DB
It's an impressive amount of early-enrollees, with over half of the 20 committed players making it to Eugene early. Head coach Dan Lanning has said in the past that he believes getting to campus early is a tremendous asset.
These players, who are getting an early taste of what the Ducks practices look like, will get an added benefit as the team is preparing for the Rose Bowl.
Getting to campus early and getting involved in practices is huge. These players, a full nine months before they will have an opportunity to play in a game, are getting acquainted with what life is like as an Oregon duck. They'll have more comfort, more familiarity, and more exposure to the coaches and players that they'll be lining up with next season. In terms of on-field benefits, the biggest advantage is that these players will have the opportunity to learn the system and the language.
Oregon DC Tosh Lupoi discusses the one ‘elite advantage’ the Ducks have over Ohio State in the Rose Bowl
It could make the difference.
Follow along all year for more Oregon Ducks coverage on A to Z Sports. You can find me on Bluesky @jonhelmkamp.bsky.social, as well as follow our main page @AtoZSports.bsky.social for all the latest news.
