Oregon Ducks Football

Safety Jevon Holland is getting an early start on his preparations for the 2021 NFL draft.

Holland announced on Twitter on Saturday that he opted out of playing for Oregon this season to focus on getting ready for the next step in his football career:

Oregon will begin its season Nov. 6 or 7. The Pac-12 announced Thursday its teams will play seven-game conference-only schedules.

Two of the Ducks' top players have opted out. Offensive tackle Penei Sewell announced his decision to prepare for the draft Sept. 7.

On Thursday, James Crepea of the Oregonian reported Sewell had had "no discussion" about changing his mind.

B/R's Matt Miller projected Holland as the 25th pick in his most recent mock draft:

"At 6'1" and 200 pounds, Holland has center fielder size and range. He also has an eye for the football after grabbing nine interceptions in two seasons. Even without a Pac-12 schedule on the books for 2020, he is game-ready for Sundays with a skill set that should beautifully transition to the pros."

Holland would have been entering his junior season. He was named to the All-Pac-12 second team last year after recording four interceptions and eight pass breakups. He had five picks and 11 breakups as a freshman.

Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell announced Monday he will opt out of the college football season and focus on the 2021 NFL draft:

The Pac-12 announced in August it would postpone all sports, including college football, through the end of the calendar year. Players could add a year of eligibility heading into 2021 but Sewell will leave after just two seasons in college.

Bleacher Report's Matt Miller lists the lineman as a top-five player in the 2021 class.

In his latest mock draft, Miller predicted Sewell would be the No. 3 pick to the Cincinnati Bengals.

The 6'6", 330-pound player made an immediate impact after coming to Oregon, starting Week 1 as a true freshman in 2018. Though he missed some time due to injury, he was a reliable presence for the Ducks during his first season.

He truly took over as a sophomore, becoming a consensus All-American while winning the Outland Trophy as the best interior lineman in the nation.

Pro Football Focus listed him as the highest-graded player in college football last season at any position.

Despite not playing in 2020, Sewell should remain a top prospect heading into next year's draft and could be one of the first player's off the board.

Oregon State University and the University of Oregon announced Friday games pitting their sports teams against each other will no longer use the term "Civil War" to describe the rivalry.

OSU president Ed Ray released a statement about the decision:

"Changing this name is overdue as it represents a connection to a war fought to perpetuate slavery. While not intended as reference to the actual Civil War, OSU sports competition should not provide any misconstrued reference to this divisive episode in American history. That we did not act before to change the name was a mistake. We do so now, along with other important actions to advance equal opportunity and justice for all and in recognition that Black Lives Matter."

Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens also commented on the change:

"Today's announcement is not only right but is a long time coming, and I wish to thank former Duck great Dennis Dixon for raising the question and being the catalyst for change. Thanks also to our current student-athletes for their leadership and input during this process. We must all recognize the power of words and the symbolism associated with the Civil War. This mutual decision is in the best interests of both schools, and I would like to thank [OSU AD] Scott Barnes for his diligence as we worked through this process. We look forward to our continued and fierce in-state rivalry with Oregon State in all sports."

The schools' rivalry dates back to a 1894 meeting between their football teams. The Beavers and Ducks have faced each other an NCAA-record 354 times in men's basketball.

Oregon owns a 66-47-10 lead in the all-time football series, including three straight victories and 11 wins in the past 12 meetings dating back to 2008. The next matchup is scheduled for Nov. 28 at OSU in Corvallis.

With both programs part of the Pac-12 Conference, all of their men's and women's teams typically meet at least once on an annual basis.

Eliminating the Civil War moniker comes amid the nationwide Black Lives Matter movement, which has included widespread protests over the past month since George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, was killed while in Minneapolis police custody in May.

The schools didn't immediately announce a new name for the rivalry, with Barnes saying they'd go through a "collaborative process" to develop one.

Oregon has landed a key commitment in the 2021 class with receiver Troy Franklin announcing Friday he will play for the school.

Franklin made the announcement on his Instagram page, per Kevin Wade of 247Sports.

Franklin is considered a 4-star recruit, the No. 2 receiver and the No. 31 overall player in the class, per 247Sports' Composite rankings.

Matt Prehm of 247Sports explained how important landing Franklin is for the Oregon program:

The 6'2", 170-pound wideout can be a game-changing player at the next level thanks to his ability to catch nearly everything around him. He is excellent at coming down with 50-50 balls and is usually able to get himself open with great route-running.

He also has shown good speed and agility to make plays once the ball is in his hands.

The California native has been a highly rated recruit since early in his high school career and used it as motivation to continue to improve his game.

"I had some thoughts early in my freshman year that I wanted to be among the best players in the state and in the country when it came time so I kept working," he said in 2018, per Brandon Huffman of CBS Sports. "Now I keep on working because I want to keep that spot."

The early attention also led to dozens of offers from the top programs in the country from the Pac-12, Big 12, SEC and more.

He eventually chose Oregon over other top options like Alabama, LSU and USC.

The Ducks have produced some high-power offenses in recent seasons and Mario Cristobal should continue building on that success. After briefly falling out of the national picture, the team is once again the class of the Pac-12.

Securing top recruits like this go a long way toward finding more success on the field.

Franklin will look to be a key part of the attack as he tries to live up to lofty expectations at the next level.

Former Oregon Ducks cornerback signee Luke Hill was arrested Tuesday in Maryland on charges that include first-degree attempted murder.

Riley Gates of 247Sports reported the news Wednesday.

"The eight charges that are listed against Hill are as follows: attempted loaded handgun on person, handgun on person, possession of a firearm by a minor, use of an assault weapon, use of a firearm, attempted first-degree murder, reckless endangerment and first-degree assault, according to arrest records," Gates wrote.

Hill's preliminary hearing in Prince George's County is scheduled for June 19, per Gates.

ESPN's Mark Schlabach reported later Wednesday that Hill, 18, allegedly fired a gun multiple times from a car Monday with those shots directed toward Ishmael Leggett, a Rhode Island basketball signee. Leggett, a former classmate of Hill's at St. John's College High School, was not injured.

University of Oregon spokesperson Jimmy Stanton told ESPN the school had previously informed the Maryland native earlier this spring he wouldn't be joining the Ducks football program.

"The preliminary investigation revealed Hill shot at another male who was outside at that location," a Prince George's County Police Department spokesperson told ESPN. "The victim was not hurt. This was not a random crime."

Hill, who most recently attended St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, had joined Oregon as part of its 2020 recruiting class. He was listed as a 4-star prospect in 247Sports' composite rankings.

Troy Dye, Oregon

LB11

STRENGTHS

—Four-year starter with high levels of production and three-down ability.

—Excelled in coverage with quickness and length needed to lock up tight ends.

—Has the range to make plays outside the tackle box in run support and a big tackle radius.

—Can get into the backfield on blitzes and delayed pressures when asked to chase the quarterback.

—Ideal body type and athleticism to be a matchup linebacker against tight ends; fluid with awesome length.

—Top-notch movement in space; easy and smooth transitions in coverage.

BR Video

WEAKNESSES

—Lacks play power and has a thin frame at 6'3", 231 lbs.

—Doesn't stack blockers well and will struggle to disengage from interior offensive linemen in the run game.

—Put on skates too often when blockers make contact with his frame.

—Not an attacking linebacker; much more comfortable in space and in coverage. 

—Would like to see him come downhill much faster and with more aggression; can be late to the party as a lead tackler in the run game.

—Didn't test at the combine before COVID-19 shutdowns.

OVERALL

Dye is a great coverage linebacker, but he doesn't have the bulk to stop the run on the inside. With the NFL moving toward smaller, more athletic linebackers, he does fit the mold of a coverage/nickel linebacker who is talented enough as a blitzer to make plays off the edge. Dye's value will come on third downs, which is a great trait to have in today's game.

GRADE: 70

PRO COMPARISON: Telvin Smith/Dorian O'Daniel

The only thing that seems certain heading into the 2020 NFL draft is that the Cincinnati Bengals will take LSU quarterback Joe Burrow first overall.

The rest is a total crapshoot.

Will the Washington Redskins go the presumed route and draft Ohio State edge-rusher Chase Young, or will they throw a curveball and pick a signal-caller? Will the Miami Dolphins or Los Angeles Chargers trade up for a quarterback, or are they content with sitting back and seeing who is available when they are on the clock?

And where is fast-rising draft prospect Isaiah Simmons going to end up?

Those questions will be answered when the draft gets underway April 23, but one of the key pieces to the puzzle is Oregon signal-caller Justin Herbert.

The 6'6" and 236 pound Herbert just led the Ducks to a Pac-12 title and Rose Bowl win. He has drawn a pro comparison to Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz from NFL Media's Lance Zierlein. Herbert completed 66.8 percent of his passes and accounted for 36 touchdowns (32 passing, four rushing) to just six interceptions.

The Dolphins and Chargers stand out as teams in need of long-term quarterback solutions. They are in position to do so: Miami is sitting at No. 5, and L.A. is right behind at No. 6.

Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network provided some news Wednesday on how the Fins feel about the Oregon QB: "Speaking with several people, the belief is that Miami still likes Tua Tagovailoa above the rest, but they would be just as happy with Justin Herbert. The Dolphins interest in Herbert is genuine and has been for several years now."

Pauline also said that Herbert's draft floor is in the top 10.

The Jacksonville Jaguars could be a candidate at No. 9, although they seem ready to give Gardner Minshew II a shot at being the team's full-time starter following some solid work last year in relief of Nick Foles, who was traded this offseason.

The Las Vegas Raiders could try to climb from the No. 12 spot if they want to move on from Derek Carr, but they have two quarterbacks on their roster following the signing of free agent Marcus Mariota.

Therefore, Miami and L.A. look the most likely to acquire Herbert's services, and Matt Miller of Bleacher Report wrote recently that the Fins might be eyeing him over Alabama signal-caller Tua Tagovailoa.

"I'm told by multiple league sources that the Dolphins aren't convinced Tua is the best option and could instead target Oregon's Justin Herbert," Miller wrote. "The situation is fluid, but the buzz around the league is that Herbert has the most fans in the Dolphins' draft room."

Miller does have Tagovailoa still headed to Miami in his latest mock, but Herbert is the next choice at No. 6 to L.A.

The wild card is if a team becomes enamored with Utah State's Jordan Love, who has risen up draft boards lately. Miller provided more info in regards to the Bolts' reported feelings on the prospect:

"For months we've heard the Chargers will draft whichever quarterback the Dolphins don't, which was believed to be between Tua and Herbert. That could still be the case, but in a conversation earlier this week, one very well-connected scout mentioned that Jordan Love is a name to watch here. That's something I reported during Senior Bowl week—that the Chargers had a crush on the Utah State quarterback—and it could be coming full circle."

Miami and L.A. choosing Tagovailoa and Love in some order seems like the only way Herbert falls out of the top 10, but there's even small buzz connecting the Bengals to the former UO star.

Peter King of NBC Sports wrote the following Monday: "I've heard there are some inside the Bengals who are true believers in Herbert."

The Bengals could still believe in Herbert but believe that Burrow is the better prospect. The only way that a Herbert-Bengals union would work is if the Dolphins traded a fortune to move up to No. 1 for Burrow, with King positing that it could take four first-round picks to do so. The Bengals could then sit at No. 5 and wait for Herbert to fall.

The possibility that such a blockbuster could be pulled off at least exists.

Cameron Wolfe of ESPN wrote the following on Tuesday:

"Some league executives told ESPN that a Dolphins trade for Burrow is unlikely, given all that goes into it, but it's not impossible.

"The Dolphins like Burrow a lot, according to sources. Plus, Burrow would be happy to play in Miami if it works out that way, another source said."

But Wolfe also provided remarks from ESPN Bengals reporter Ben Baby, who said such a trade is very unlikely: "The odds of the Bengals trading down from the top overall pick are incredibly slim. How slim? I'm not sure how many zeroes I need to the right of the decimal point to properly quantify the likelihood of that happening."

We'll soon find out where Herbert will be calling home.

Former Boston College quarterback Anthony Brown will join the Oregon Ducks as a graduate transfer, per Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports.

Brown started three years at Boston College, throwing 40 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. He completed 54.9 percent of his passes for 7.0 yards per attempt.

The ex-Eagle also rushed for 423 yards and four touchdowns and caught four passes for 91 yards and three scores.

Brown was limited to six games last year because of a non-contact knee injury suffered against Louisville on Oct. 5.

Brown, who will be eligible to play immediately, should be a strong candidate for the starting job previously held by top-10 NFL draft candidate Justin Herbert, who finished his senior year with a Pac-12 title and Rose Bowl win.

Herbert's backup last year was Tyler Shough, who completed 12 of 15 passes for 144 yards and three touchdowns in mop-up duty over four games.

The Chandler, Arizona, native ranked seventh overall in 247Sports' list of the top pro-style quarterbacks in the class of 2018.

The 6'5", 220-pound Shough will be entering his redshirt sophomore season.

Per Kevin Wade of 247Sports' Duck Territory, Shough was the No. 1 quarterback in spring practices, but head coach Mario Cristobal told Pac-12 Network he was reticent to hand him the reins to the Ducks offense just yet.

"You can never fully hand over the keys because I think you lose the respect and integrity of the program when you do that," Cristobal said. "Is he the guy in the lead? Without question. He had the most experience. He has put in time."

Wade also noted redshirt freshman Cale Millen, true freshmen Jay Butterfield and Robby Ashford, and walk-on Bradley Yaffe should also be in the mix for the starter's role.

The Ducks' to-be-determined QB1 will be thrown into the fire early, with games against eight-time Division I-FCS champion North Dakota State and College Football Playoff semifinalist Ohio State opening the 2020 slate.

Justin Herbert wrapped up his pro day Thursday in Eugene, Oregon.

There were fears earlier in the day that Oregon would cancel the event as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. A number of leagues across the country have suspended play in order to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Some NFL teams have also suspended travel for their coaches and scouts in the buildup to the 2020 draft.

Oregon coach Mario Cristobal told reporters the school was monitoring the situation to ensure nobody's health was at risk:

The Providence Journal's Mark Daniels noted a New England Patriots scout appeared to be in attendance. Carolina Panthers general manager Marty Hurney was also on hand, per the Charlotte Observer's Alaina Getzenberg.

Both the Patriots and Panthers could be looking to draft a quarterback, so Herbert would be a natural fit on either team.

The ongoing response to the coronavirus still cast a shadow over Thursday's event, especially with Michigan canceling its pro day and Penn State postponing all football-related activities. Herbert commented on the situation:

In front of what was likely a slightly smaller audience than expected, the Oregon native threw to Ducks wide receiver Juwan Johnson and former Oregon wideout Charles Nelson.

Standing stationary on the goal line, he showed off his arm strength by throwing the ball 62 yards.

Nothing Herbert did Thursday will probably vault him to the top of draft boards, but he might have solidified his position as the third-best quarterback available.

In his most recent mock draft, Bleacher Report's Matt Miller projected Herbert to go sixth overall to the Los Angeles Chargers, behind Joe Burrow (No. 1) and Tua Tagovailoa (No. 5).