Oregon Recruiting 2012: Who Could Start and Who Will Get Lost in the Mix?

First, the caveat: Who am I to say whether these kids in Oregon's 2012 recruiting class will do well or bomb out?

Even Chip Kelly, in his National Signing Day press conference, acknowledged that even coaches don't always know how well a prospect will do until fall camp starts. Kelly said that the scouting sites who rate the kids and coaches can miss big at times.

There are absolutely no guarantees that star ratings will have any impact on who wins and who loses on any given Saturday in the fall.

In other words, National Signing Day is a crapshoot—a fun, entertaining, overhyped crapshoot of a day.

What counts is where you rank at the end of the season, not the rank of the recruiting class. As Kelly pointed out, Oregon didn't have a top-five recruiting class last year, but they finished in the top five.

Having said all that, this 2012 Oregon recruiting class is very promising, with 10 4-star signees, according to Rivals.com.

I think it's an intriguing class, so here comes my opinion on how these kids might do in 2012. Do with it as you will.

Please follow me on Twitter.com/kayjenningsPDX

Bralon Addison

It's difficult to say whether Bralon Addison-—who the Houston Chronicle newspaper named their "All-Greater Houston Player of the Year"—could start for the Ducks in 2012. It's difficult because he is so versatile, Chip Kelly said he can play several positions.

"We won't pigeonhole him," Kelly said during his NSD press conference. "He's an unbelievable athlete who can realistically play wide receiver, quarterback (his high school position), or running back."

The Rivals.com 4-star rated Addison did play wide receiver his sophomore year at Hightower High School before moving to QB. 

In an interview with the Houston Chronicle, Addison said that another reason for his late switch to the Ducks was the University of Oregon's excellent broadcast journalism program. To me, that says the kid is looking beyond his football days, which says that he is smart as well as talented on the field.

If Addison actually shows up in Eugene after several months of the heat he's no doubt going to get in Houston for flipping from Texas A&M, my guess is he will see action this fall. 

It sounds as if the kid is just too talented and smart to keep off the field for long.

Arik Armstead

During his NSD press conference, Chip Kelly said that all the new kids will have an opportunity to earn playing time. I can't help but think that the recruits who enroll early—Armstead will enroll in March—will have an even greater opportunity to make an impact.

Kelly also made it perfectly clear that 4-star rated Armstead will play defensive lineman, even though some scouting services rank him as a 5-star OL. Armstead has been quoted as saying he loves playing defense and sacking quarterbacks, and his high school stats certainly back that up.

Kelly said that Armstead's big body—6'8" and 285 lbs.—is deceptive and that Arik can move and is very athletic. It's important to remember that Armstead is still a baby, albeit a big one, and that as talented as he may be, there will still be a learning curve at the next level.

With Oregon's penchant for rotating its defensive linemen, I think Armstead will see lots of action as a freshman. I don't really care who starts at this position; it's so the Ducks have enough depth to keep guys fresh. 

Oregon has depth at DL, but did lose Terrell Turner and Brandon Hanna to graduation. However, there is still plenty of talent at DL for Armstead to learn from. I believe Armstead will be a contributor at some point this fall, probably earlier rather than later.

Other than his choice of signing day shirt, I see nothing but upside to this kid, and I can hardly wait to see him trot onto the field.

He'll be the tall one.

Brett Bafaro

Brett Bafaro, a 4-star linebacker from Hillsboro's Liberty High School, is fast and very explosive, according to Chip Kelly. 

His 4.6 40 speed is good enough for me, and there is speculation that Bafaro could help the Ducks replace Dewitt Stuckey and Josh Kaddu. 

Again, though, he is very young, and the Ducks are deep at his position, at least on paper.  He will get the opportunity to compete, and we'll see what he does with it.

Alex Balducci

Don't you just love this photo, and doesn't it make you all giddy for spring drills to start?

Balducci is a 4-star defensive end out of Portland's Central Catholic, but he says he doesn't care if he plays DT or DE for the Ducks.

Chip Kelly says that Balducci is a big, tough, physical kid. He played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl last month and performed well against many of the nation's top players, raising his recruiting rankings in the process.

In high school, Balducci also played quite a bit at OL, so it will be interesting to watch where he ends up. Kelly did not mention Balducci's OL play in his NSD press conference.

Based on this photo and the fact that Balducci seems to be peaking at just the right moment, I like his chances to earn playing time in 2012. Yes, there are guys ahead of him, so call this one a hunch.

Evan Baylis

According to Chip Kelly, Evan Baylis, a 4-star TE out of Aurora, Colo, will enroll at the University of Oregon early and will have a chance to play this year.

The departure of TE David Paulson allows for a healthy competition. On paper, it looks like the Ducks have an abundance of tight ends, so Baylis must be the real deal for Kelly to say that. 

Personally, I'm a huge Colt Lyerla fan, and I can't see Baylis winning the starting job over him. Both Lyerla and Baylis are 6'5" and about the same weight. Baylis also played linebacker his senior year and had 107 tackles, so perhaps that position is in his future too. 

Kelly sounded quite clear on Baylis getting a good chance to play this year, and since he's the coach and I'm not, we'll roll with that.

Pharaoh Brown

Well, first, I have to say that I love, love, love his name. Don't you wonder what made his parents decide to name their son "Pharaoh?"

Although Pharaoh was ranked as the No. 25 DE in the nation, he says he is determined to play TE and that the Ducks promised him he could. He is definitely listed on the Ducks signing list as TE.

The 4-star recruit out of Ohio (and how on earth did Michigan bungle his recruitment so badly?) looks to have plenty of talent and size for whichever side of the ball he plays.

It would appear that Oregon is overly blessed at the TE position for the next few years. I don't see Brown getting much playing time in 2012, but for the sake of all the other little Pharaohs out there in the country growing up, I hope I'm wrong.

DeForest Buckner

DeForest Buckner, a 4-star DE out of Punahou High School in Honolulu, is 6'7", 230 lbs. and is another one of the Ducks potential basketball players in addition to football. Chip Kelly said that he watched Buckner play in a basketball game and "he dunked like nine times in the game I saw."

If you are noticing a trend in the height of some of these recruits, you are correct. Overall, this is a class loaded with longer, more versatile athletes than I think we've seen in the past.

Although I believe that Buckner will be a solid starter at DE for the Ducks at some point, I'm fairly certain it won't be in 2012. There's just too much competition. 

Byron Marshall

If I could have one football wish, it would be that the universe would send Oregon another LaMichael James. Did I get my wish in Byron Marshall?

At 5'10" and 195 lbs., he's very similar in size to LaMichael. People who have seen Marshall play say he's very special.

Marshall, the 4-star running back out of San Jose, Calif, was the nation's No. 48 overall recruit. According to Chip Kelly, Marshall is "one of the fastest kids in the country."

Marshall is the younger brother of Arizona State RB Cameron Marshall. Although he spent much of his senior season injured, he still rushed for 757 yards and scored six TDs. 

I have to think that Byron Marshall will get a serious look or two in 2012, but I also believe that Kenjon Barner is Oregon's lead back all year, barring injury.

Jake Rodrigues

Is it my imagination, or does this 6'3", 210 lbs. kid just look like a college QB?

Out of Rocklin, Calif., 4-star Rodrigues is a very accurate passer with a strong arm, and Chip Kelly says he also has the ability to run the ball. He has already enrolled at Oregon, so will be able to participate in spring drills.

I doubt if Rodrigues will leapfrog Bryan Bennett or Marcus Mariota in 2012. Even though he will get a head start, I think all QB recruits at Oregon can benefit greatly from a year to watch and learn the Ducks offense. 

Plus, Rodrigues needs to use this year to bulk up a bit and add some strength. Talk to me after a year with Jim Radcliffe.

We might see Rodrigues in one of the early non-conference games just to excite the Autzen crowd, but he won't get much playing time when it counts in 2012.

Dwayne Stanford

In researching Dwayne Stanford, one uncovers a lot to like about this kid. People refer to him as having good character and that he wore the "star" mantle well at his high school in Cincinnati, OH.

The 4-star wide receiver at 6'5" and 185 lbs. gives Oregon a big target. Chip Kelly says that the big receiver makes us more physical on the perimeter.

With Stanford's good speed and his length, I think he has the opportunity to compete for Lavasier Tuinei's position in 2012. According to Kelly, "It's a bigger receiver league and one with real physical DBs."

I think that statement by Kelly means that Oregon's more diminutive receivers are in for some competition this year. Look for Stanford (and aren't we glad he didn't opt for Stanford University; it would have been so confusing) to compete with the next guy for serious playing time in 2012. 

Chance Allen

Chance (another great name!) Allen, a 3-star wide receiver from Texas, is 6'3" and 191 lbs.  Like Dwayne Stanford, Allen comes from the mold of bigger receivers that Chip Kelly favors. 

The word on Allen is that he is good at catching the ball in traffic and can get up high for it.  He also has above-average athleticism—another trend in this recruiting class.

As someone who has not yet gotten over the fact that Jeff Maehl is gone (I know, I know, it's time to move on), I'm thrilled to see these highly-sought after wide receivers coming our way. 

I think we will see both Allen and Stanford contribute in 2012.

Eric and Stephen Amoako

Even though my mother taught me to respect twins as individuals, I'm lumping the Amoako brothers together because I can't tell them apart.

The 3-star defensive backs out of Arlington, TX, turned down some good schools when they chose Oregon. 

Chip Kelly says, "These are two great kids—competitive and tough. We're not sure if they are corners or safeties".

I would play them at opposite corners just to confuse the dumber receivers out there in the Pac-12.

I don't see either brother starting in 2012, but it will be interesting to watch them push Hill and Mitchell at DB and/or learn from the master, John Boyett, at safety.

Dylan Ausherman

Dylan Ausherman, the No. 1 punter in the nation, comes to Oregon from the College of the Sequoias in Visalia, Calif.

He has one year of eligibility left. Chip Kelly says the plan is to redshirt Ausherman unless Jackson Rice is injured in his senior season.  Kelly added that Ausherman is ready to kick if need be.

Stetzon Bair

Stetzon (yet another great name! Maybe Oregon recruited based on names) Bair, a 3-star DT from Council Bluffs, IA, is 6'8" and 265 lbs. Yes, more height, also a trend in this class.

I am required by law to add that Stetzon is the younger brother of former Oregon DT Brandon Bair, now with the Kansas City Chiefs. He is a taller version of Brandon, according to Chip Kelly, but he needs to fill out a little.

Bair is mature, having already done his Mormon mission before attending Iowa Western Community College.

He has a great deal of potential, along with good family genes, but will compete against a deep defensive line. My guess is he might redshirt. 

It is possible, however, that I might have to eat those words.

Cody Carriger

Chip Kelly said that if Cody Carriger was from some place other than Montana, we would all know more about him.

All I know is that he is a DE, and is 6'6" and 230 lbs—more good height.

And, I know that he won't start in 2012.

I see a lot of DEs ahead of Carriger, but I also think Montana kids are tough, so who knows?

Terrence Daniel

Terrence Daniel, out of Oakland, Calif., is listed as a DE on the signing list, but Chip Kelly indicated that they aren't sure if he will play on the defensive line or at tight end.

Daniel brings more above-average athleticism and a long body (he's 6'6"), and could be a real get for the Ducks.

He won't start in 2012, but this kid is worth betting on for the future.

Reggie Daniels

Daniels, a commit from Chandler, Ariz, is listed as a DB. The word on him is that he is extremely explosive and could play either CB or Safety for the Ducks.

He is rated as a high 3-star safety, and if he is plugged in at that position, my guess is he will take over for Boyett next year.

I expect to see Reggie Daniels on the field some in 2012.

Oshay Dunmore

From this photo, you can probably guess that Dunmore was recruited as an athlete. The 6'2" 195-lb. Dunmore is loaded with talent.

Best guess is that the 3-star recruit will most likely end up as a wide receiver or running back.

I honestly have no idea whether he will see action in 2012, but I'm pulling for this kid from Newport, OR.  His dad is in jail and not a part of his life, and he's had it fairly tough.

In spite of all that, he is known around Newport for his charismatic personality, along with his amazing physical talents.

I hope this kid gets a good opportunity and makes the most of it.

Jeff Lockie

As with 4-star QB Jake Rodrigues, I don't expect Jeff Lockie to overtake Bryan Bennett or Marcus Mariota in 2012.

But, also like Rodrigues, Lockie has what it takes to be a Pac-12 quarterback. According to Chip Kelly, Lockie was the unanimous MVP in his high school league in Danville, Calif.

Lockie is a pro-style quarterback with great anticipation and savvy. He's got good size at 6'2" and 175 lbs. Probably needs to fill out and will be another player to benefit from a year with Jim Radcliffe in the weight room.

I'm going out on a bit of a limb here and say that Lockie might make it interesting in 2013.

Kyle Long

Can you imagine how hard it must be being Howie Long's son? It sounds as if Kyle has had his issues over the formative years, but is now ready to take his place on the stage.

The highly sought after 3-star OL is coming to Oregon from Saddleback Community College in Mission Viejo, Calif. and has one year of eligibility remaining. It is expected that Long will petition for a second year.

According to Chip Kelly, Long is now taller than his dad, at 6'7" (there's that height thing again) and weighs 285 lbs. He is known for his physicality.

Long will enroll at Oregon this summer, and there is much talk that he might fill Mark Asper's position in 2012.

As a longtime Howie Long fan, I am not objective about his kid. I think Kyle Long gets a starting nod in the fall.

And, if you're reading this, Kyle, tell your dad "hi."

In Summary

To sum up, I don't feel there are any losers in this recruiting class. My takeaway from Chip Kelly's NSD press conference was this remark: "These are all good kids from good families."

May they all be part of the Oregon family for years to come.