Vernon Adams Jr. vs. Jeff Lockie: The Competition for Oregon Ducks QB Position

Since Vernon Adams Jr. announced his transfer Monday, he has been considered the favorite to replace Heisman winner Marcus Mariota at quarterback for the Oregon Ducks—and for good reason.

The former Eastern Washington Eagles quarterback has a substantial resume: He's an All-American selection, a two-time Walter Payton Award runner-up and the College Football Performance Awards winner for the 2013 FCS National Performer of the Year. And that's just scratching the surface.

Replacing a player like Mariota is no easy measure, but Adams looks to be the closest bet the Ducks have to another dual-threat quarterback for the coming fall.

The transfer passed for 3,483 yards and 35 touchdowns last season alone, registering a 66.1 percent completion rate. He also rushed for 285 yards on 100 carries for six touchdowns.

Joining a program like Oregon, there is no reason why Adams shouldn't be able to convert his success in the FCS to the FBS.

However, the competition for Oregon's starting quarterback position doesn't go uncontested—there is also Jeff Lockie, Mariota's backup for two seasons.

Lockie brings unique value to the competition that should not be disregarded, especially not this early.

In order to have immediate eligibility this fall, Adams cannot join the Ducks until he finishes out the academic year with his undergraduate degree from Eastern Washington.

This gives Lockie an advantage Adams won't have. He will already be competing for that opening spot with four other players this spring: early enrollee Travis Waller, redshirt freshman Morgan Mahalak and sophomores Ty Griffin and Taylor Alie.

Lockie is the only player among the five to have taken the field with the team's offensive unit in a game setting. There is a level of familiarity already developed between Lockie and the returning receiving corps, including Darren Carrington and Devon Allen, with whom the quarterback has connected in past games—something that should not be taken for granted.

In Week 1 against South Dakota and Week 3 against Wyoming, Lockie combined to complete 17-of-20 passes for 185 yards and one touchdown. Lockie is not the dual-threat quarterback Mariota was, but between his accuracy and the depth returning at the running back position, the Ducks offense could likely strike the same balance with which it operated last season.

With Adams not entering the competition until the fall, he is very much left on his own to prepare over the next few months. Eastern Washington head coach Beau Baldwin said the former Eagle will not be allowed to train with the team or utilize its athletic facilities in an interview with 700 ESPN in Spokane, Washington, on Monday.

This could make a significant difference, and all things considered, the front-runner for the Ducks starting quarterback position cannot truly be named with full certainty until the fall.