Oregon Ducks Soar Into Signing Day

Things are good in Eugene, OR. The Ducks pulled a surprise mauling of the South Florida Bulls in the Sun Bowl out of their pocket. The nations top prospect, Terrelle Pryor, adds the Pac-10 team to his list of suitors. Then head coach Mike Bellotti choose Oregon over UCLA by turning down a less-than-flattering offer from the Bruins. To me, that last one is all that really matters.

Just look at the Big East and West Virginia. Two very similar programs - aside from the fact they run the same offense. Both programs were on the edge of greatness this season and injuries to their dynamic quarterbacks sealed their national championship fates. Since then they have gone in different directions. WVU lost their head coach and subsequently Pryor while Oregon is now poised to move forward. The next step?

Signing a great - and very underrated - recruiting class. This week Bellotti and Co. set the groundwork for potentially the best class in Oregon history. That, of course, hinges on Mr. Pryor heading west.

But this class is still very solid even without Pryor. Chris Harper, a Wichita, KS native, finally put his soap opera recruitment to an end, at least for now. The 6-2, 230-pound athlete committed to the Ducks. Harper had been headed to Kansas St but decommitted when there was a shake-up on the coaching staff.

Chris Harper is a very fluid smooth athlete who plays quarterback for his high school squad. He is the definition of 'athlete.' He has so many possibilities. He could bulk up and play tight end or H-back. He could stay where he is at size and play wideout. He might even be able to play safety or weakside linebacker. I do not see him on defense though.

He is a gifted, pure athlete with the ball in his hands. He would be very raw at wide receiver but will be best suited in that position. He is just too athletic to move to tight end. He would be solid after the catch as he is comfortable running with the ball. Oregon got a great prospect. Now they just need to figure out where to play him.

Something tells me that Chip Kelly might just give him a shot at quarterback. Darron Thomas, who I am very high on, has a head start in the potential QB battle as he is already on campus. Thomas is from Aldine, TX.

Speaking of Texas, the Ducks also yanked a talented little running back out of Texarkana this week. 5-8, 180-pound LeMichael James decided to head to the great northwest. James will be a nice speedy compliment to the bigger, JUCO signee LeGarratte Blount. A solid running back class could not have come at a better time for Oregon now that Jonathan Stewart has left for the NFL.

All and all, this is a really nice class. The offense adds plenty of playmakers. Nick Cody will be a name to watch. He has a great story and has a great head on his shoulders. He plays with great attitude and tenacity along the offensive line. He is a top-100 type player.

USC will win the Pac-10 recruiting crown but Oregon is making a strong case for No. 2.

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