We tweeted about it earlier, but if you didn’t hear redshirt freshman wide receiver Devon Blackmon has announced his decision to transfer schools to play football. The athletic department announced the news Monday afternoon.
Despite coming into the program as a prep All-American out of high school, Blackmon has struggled to find playing time with the Ducks. In this, his second season in the system, he’s seen the field just two games this year but hasn’t caught a ball. Likely factoring into his decision to leave is the solid play of true freshman Bralon Addison at the same position.
Following his transfer, Blackmon will have three seasons of college eligibility.
“He’s done everything,” Kelly said after practice MOnday. “Great kid. I had a meeting with him this morning, and he wants to go see if he can go someone else, and we’ll support him in his decision. Did a great job in the classroom for us, did a great job as a teammate around here. We’ll assist him in what he wants to get accomplished in the rest of his college career.”
Kelly also emphasized Blackmon’s reason for leaving — the amount of talent the Ducks already have lining up at wide receiver.
“We’ve got a lot of great guys at that position,” the fourth-year head coach said.
Clay’s big day. Linebacker Michael Clay had the game of his life last week in the loss to Stanford. The senior tallied 20 tackles, including one and a half for a loss, and pressured Cardinal quarterback Kevin Hogan all game. Still, the Santa Clara, Calif., native didn’t think it was his strongest performance of the year.
“I feel our first game was the strongest for me physically, obviously,” Clay said. “But you sign up, you know what to expect come week 11. You’re gonna be bruised, you’re gonna be battered. It’s all part of the game. I love the game, so why not be bruised and battered come 11?”
Bergsma back on top. Despite the mini-slump Oregon volleyball’s fought through, outside hitter Alaina Bergsma is still tearing up the conference.
The All-American senior picked up her third weekly offensive conference accolade of her career on Monday when she was named the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week. She logged career highs and the conference’s top kill totals of the season when she notched 31 kills in the Ducks marathon loss to Washington. How’d she follow that up? By tallying 32 the next game in the win over Washington State.
She leads the conference and ranks top-10 in kills (4.91) and points per set (5.39).
Haley Jacob was nominated for defensive player of the week, and Canace Finley was nominated for freshman of the week. Neither Duck won, however.