Junior Jackie Bates is the lone returning cornerback with game experience in the Oregon secondary.
Following the graduation of All-American Aaron Gipson and All-Pacific-10 Conference Justin Phinisee, Bates will be relied on to guard the opponent’s best receiver and to provide leadership for younger defensive backs.
Five freshmen (two true) and a junior college transfer are also vying for playing time at the cornerback position.
Bates will likely man Stanford receiver Mark Bradford, who has twice caught seven passes for more than 100 yards in his career against Oregon. Bradford, at 6 feet 2 inches, has a height advantage over the shorter Bates, who stands at 5 feet 10 inches.
Bates had the chore of guarding Stanford’s 6-foot-7-inch receiver Evan Moore two years ago, a task that Bates believes he accomplished well.
“I did a pretty good job with him. We contained him pretty well,” Bates said. “We’ll just approach him as any other guy. We’re going to respect all of our opponents and we want to go out and make plays.”
Bates said the Oregon cornerbacks will be tested often and early on deep routes, which Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said was Stanford’s game plan last season.
“They went long a ton last year,” he said.
Bates, who started two games last season and seven in his career, has eight career pass breakups, two interceptions and 59 tackles.
– Shawn Miller