Everybody was thinking it.
With the second half of Oregon’s season opening game against South Dakota trudging on 41-13, true freshman Charles Nelson gave reason for those watching the game to double-take. No. 6 for the Ducks took a South Dakota punt 49-yards to the end zone, going nearly untouched in the process. His 5-foot-9 physique, his flashy No. 6 uniform and the speed shown on the play prompted me to ask a question to three-year Oregon starting quarterback Marcus Mariota.
Did he remind you of anyone?
“I was waiting for that question,” Mariota said with a laugh. “Yeah, he’s a special talent. De’Anthony (Thomas) was the same way. Hopefully he can be half the guy De’Anthony was because De’Anthony was very special. But for a guy like him, he’s come a long way already and he’s a true freshman.”
Since his dazzling debut, Nelson has forced himself on the field. The speed showcased on punt returns, kickoff coverage and punt coverage proved to the Oregon coaching staff that Nelson was too special of a talent to be isolated. In a 59-41 victory against Cal at Levi’s Stadium earlier this year, the Ducks used Nelson in a myriad of different positions and formations on offense. Even though he was held without a catch, Nelson carried the ball three times for 35 yards. The urge to get the ball in Nelson’s grasp was evident.
“This guy is too good not to have the ball in his hands,” Helfrich said after the game. “People can kick away from him. (Ducks offensive coordinator) Scott Frost did a great job incorporating him with the rest of the staff to feed him. He’s just too good, you can see that with the ball in his hands.”
Since then, Nelson has proved his coaches right. He’s lined up outside, in the backfield and at the slot receiver position. He has motioned across formations with the goal being to find a way to get the ball in his hands in open space. When he has, he has shown that he is capable of making plays.
On the year, Nelson, a former three-star athlete recruit out of Daytona, Florida (according to Rivals), has caught 10 passes for 162 yards and five touchdowns. Nelson has found paydirt on four of his last five receptions. Last week against Oregon State, his stat line was similar to his standard rate of production: two catches, 56 yards and two touchdowns.
His ability to turn receptions into touchdowns has given the Ducks a dangerous threat this offense has been accustomed to having. Last year, the Ducks had both De’ Anthony Thomas and wide receiver Bralon Addison in their offensive arsenal. Addison hasn’t played in a game after tearing an ACL in his knee during the spring and Thomas is now playing for the Kansas City Chiefs.
In games where Nelson has had a catch, Oregon is undefeated and the offense is averaging 49.5 points per game.
In Oregon’s only loss of the season against Arizona, Nelson was a non-factor. This time around, Nelson is expected to be an integral part of the Oregon attack — no matter where he lines up on offense.
Follow Joseph Hoyt on Twitter @JoeJHoyt
