Ducks recruiters are spending an inordinate amount of time looking at the ducks.
The Ducks’ recruitment season is now almost three years old and, after a record-breaking 2015-16, the team’s focus has been on the next generation of recruits.
Ducks director of football operations John Coates said last year’s recruiting campaign was about getting recruits into the state.
“That was a really hard year, obviously for everybody,” he said.
However, the Ducks have been able to recruit in the last three years and are now looking to keep their foot on the ground.
Last year the Ducks made their first recruiting commitment of the 2016-17 season, committing six players from Oregon’s 2016 class.
Four of those players were also Oregon Ducks, while the fifth was an international recruit from Germany.
As part of their recruiting drive, the Dons also had their eyes on Texas and Colorado, and it seems they have been successful.
A record-setting season has not only boosted their chances of success in 2019-20, but has also boosted their recruiting budget by $2.7 million.
Head coach Todd Graham says the recruitment of players like the six-foot-four, 220-pound defender Darian Thompson, and the five-star prospect of the same name, Deon Cain, from the United States and Germany was one of the main reasons he decided to take on the Ducks job in 2018.
With all the recruiting activity going on, Graham says recruiting costs will likely continue to increase.
Graham told the Brett Coomer Show on ABC News that the Ducks would continue to be able to spend money in the future, and that this year’s $2,749,937 spent on recruiting alone was “a little bit disappointing”.
“We’re not there yet,” Graham said.
“But I’m very excited about our next recruit.
But it was one thing to have five-year deals.
It was another thing to actually have six-year contracts.
We’re very pleased that it’s all been done in the right direction.””
We’ve had an incredible year.
We’re in the midst of a pretty successful recruiting period, and we’ve had players come out of the woodwork.
That’s been an incredible experience.”
The Oregon Ducks have a number of international recruits who have gone on to play in the US, and Coates believes this is a great time to start recruiting in those markets.
After playing in the United Kingdom, France and Germany, Coates is looking to sign another five-man class.
He said that the Dontae Thompson signing, as well as the recruitment for other international prospects, were some of the reasons the Dinos have been doing so well.
He added that they are not expecting the Ducks to make another significant recruit in 2019.
While it is clear the Ducks are aiming for the 2019 NCAA Tournament, Coats is confident they will be able come close to that goal.
“It’s a real good time to be recruiting,” he told the podcast.
“I think the kids that are going to come out and make a statement and make us feel really good about them.
I think that we’re in a very good position to be competitive.”
Coates said that in 2019, the Oregon Ducks will have five players who are committed to Oregon.
At least one of those will be the 2018-19 player.
Coats said that this is part of what has helped them make it to the top.
“That’s why we’re doing the things we’re not doing, and trying to be the best team in the world,” he explained.
Cain said he was excited about the prospect of playing in Oregon, and also excited about what he could do for the team.
“(Playing in Oregon) was definitely a dream come true, especially the recruiting.
Obviously the Ducks recruiting has been fantastic, but we’ve also had the opportunity to play and train with the best players in the country.”
