Slightly more than three months after concluding the 2005 season with a Holiday Bowl appearance, 10-2 record and a No. 12 national ranking, the Oregon football team begins its spring practices today.
The Ducks are one of the last Pacific-10 Conference’s teams to commence spring drills and will end on April 29 with the annual spring football game.
Six new recruits are set to join the team for the first time today. Junior college transfers include defensive back Jameel Dowling, free safety Matthew Harper, left guard Pat So’oalo and right guard Fenuki Tupou.
Recent high school graduates include tight end Brandon Bair and wide receiver Derrick Jones.
Oregon returns starters in 16 different positions, including the entire offensive line except tight end. However, returning defensive starters Patrick Chung, rover, Brent Haberly, linebacker, and J.D. Nelson, free safety, will see limited participation in spring drills because they are recovering from injuries.
The Ducks’ first official game is Sept. 2 at home against Pac-10 foe Stanford.