The third week of Oregon spring football came to a close with a day of competitive scrimmages.
Oregon defensive coordinator Don Pellum spoke after practice, saying his defense looked really good. Pellum said that his defense showed aggression, good communication and really good tackling. “And those are the things we have to be really, really good at,” Pellum said.
Pellum said the team will scrimmage again next Wednesday. He’s looking for more intensity in the next scrimmage in comparison to the one on Friday.
“Intensity, then communication then running like mad men,” Pellum said. “They’ll be heavily graded on running to the ball.”
A friendly quarterback battle
Like teammate Morgan Mahalak said a week earlier, redshirt sophomore quarterback Tayor Alie called the quarterbacks on the team “brothers.”
“The best quarterback to come out [of the competition], we’ll all be happy,” Alie said.
The five-man competition – six when graduate transfer Vernon Adams joins the team in the summer – is friendly, but competitive. Alie, as well as veteran Jeff Lockie, are doing what they can to help the younger guys learn the Oregon offense.
“It would be selfish not to help out the younger guys,” Alie said. “So, any chance we can to help out, give them insight, give them little tips that we’ve learned, but also learn and take reps when we’re out there.”
Incoming freshman quarterback Travis Jonsen, who enrolled at Oregon early to take part in spring practices, already has an understanding of the offense, according to Alie.
“He’s picking things up really quickly and making adjustments to coaching tips the coaches are giving him,” Alie said. ” He’s a great player and it’s fun to watch him progress.”
Marcus Mariota signs endorsement deal with Nike
After starring at “Nike University,” former Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota has signed with the company, according to a report from ESPN’s Darren Rovell.
Nike hasn’t made an official announcement of the signing.
Rovell confirmed with Nike that the company had signed possible No. 1 NFL Draft pick, and former Florida State quarterback, Jameis Winston. Rovell also reported that Heisman finalists Melvin Gordon and Amari Cooper, as well as former Georgia running back Todd Gurley, have also signed with Nike.
Follow Joseph Hoyt on Twitter @JoeJHoyt