When your coach says that he doesn’t need to see you play because he knows how good you are, that certainly sets a precedent.
“I don’t need to see them,” Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said after last Saturday’s scrimmage. “Both Jonathan (Stewart) and Jeremiah (Johnson) have proven they can play at this level.”
Living up to expectations is always a heavy burden to bear. And Stewart, the Ducks’ junior running back, has to live up to the expectations that come with being the No. 2 recruit in the country when he joined Oregon.
Stewart has quite a bit on his shoulders this season. Though he played much of last season with nagging injuries, he led the Ducks with 981 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns and ended up with over 1,000 total yards. He is expected to increase those numbers this season in new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s spread scheme, and Kelly looks forward to utilizing an athlete of Stewart’s caliber.
“Exciting” was the word that first came to mind for Kelly in describing Stewart. “I think he’s one of – if not the – top running back in the country. It’s even more exciting when you meet him; the type of player he is and the work ethic that he displays, his demeanor, his approach to practice. Everything that you’re looking for in a football player.”
Senior offensive tackle Jeff Schwartz agrees. He’s blocked for Stewart the past two seasons, and enjoys working in front of a runner of his talent.
“He gets into the very small openings that we create,” Schwartz said. “You know once you get the initial block and you get your defender a little off balance he’s going to make that break.”
Stewart has looked impressive in practices and scrimmages this spring, combining his speed and power into a package that is very hard for defenses to stop. Even within the Ducks’ entertaining spectacle of an offense, Stewart’s explosive runs are the star attraction – the crowds surrounding the practice field, including his teammates on the sideline, all watch in awe of his moves and ability to shake tacklers loose.
Kelly has hoped to utilize Stewart and fellow junior Jeremiah Johnson on the field at the same time next fall. “We haven’t put a specific package in for just those two guys,” Kelly said, “But obviously those are two of the better players here. Because they both are big enough to block, they’re both big enough to run, they’re both big enough to pick up in protection there’s a lot of different things you can do.”
As for Stewart, he’s just happy to be back out on the field in pads and running the ball.
“I’m real excited,” Stewart said. “Everybody’s excited to get another chance and play again.”
[email protected]