**Editor’s Note: This story first appeared in the Emerald’s Duck Season magazine, a preview of the Oregon football team’s upcoming season that is currently available for free at all Duck Store locations in Eugene. We will post each story in the days leading up to the first day of fall practice on Aug. 10.
Oregon’s spring game back in May wasn’t the perfect day quarterback Jeff Lockie was hoping for, but it was pretty close.
After backing up Heisman Trophy-winner Marcus Mariota the last two seasons, Lockie was ready to make a statement that he deserved to be Oregon’s next signal caller.
He did just that.
Lockie finished Oregon’s annual spring game 9-for-9 for 223 yards and three touchdowns passing along with two carries for 16 yards, proving to himself and all Oregon fans that he’s ready to start.
Apart from one errant throw on his first play of the game, Lockie was very much in control of the Oregon offense, something that’s expected to set him apart from his counterparts.
“Jeff had a great spring. I thought he did a pretty good job in terms of what he was asked to do,” Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich said. “As far as what he needs to do and what he needs to do to be the guy, he had a very good spring.”
The battle to replace Mariota began in early spring and has continues this summer and into fall. Since practices are closed to media, coaches and players didn’t reveal much, simply saying that “anybody” could win the job.
After watching the spring game, there’s no doubt that Lockie is the front runner and if it wasn’t for the expected arrival of transfer Vernon Adams Jr., the keys to Oregon’s high-octane offense would easily be Lockie’s.
Sophomores Taylor Alie and Ty Griffin, Redshirt freshman Morgan Mahalak and true freshman Travis Jonsen all struggled at certain points in the spring game. None looked ready to take control of the offense nor did they show the consistency to get the ball to playmakers Royce Freeman, Charles Nelson or Bralon Addison.
For everything those players struggled with, Lockie showed he was much more developed. Instead of trying to force the ball into tight windows for big gains, Lockie had no issue settling for his second and third options and trusting them to make plays.
For instance, twice he hit Charles Nelson on checkdowns and twice Nelson took the ball over 40-plus yards for a score. That sort of trust in his teammates is something on which Oregon’s offense is predicated.
What set Lockie apart wasn’t his stats, leadership or arm. It was the athleticism he showed on the field and his presence in the pocket.
His athleticism allowed him to make the first would-be tackler miss and pick up positive yards. He also had the ability to stay alive in the pocket and keep his eyes downfield instead of tucking it and running.
Although Adams Jr. is supposed to be the savior of the post-Mariota life, what Lockie has been through within the program and what he did at Autzen Stadium at the spring game leaves no doubt that he can take the reigns from Mariota.
Follow Ryan Kostecka on Twitter @Ryan_Kostecka