As sports fans, we tend to delineate events by year. In baseball, for example, 2004 became the Year of the Red Sox when they finally ended an 86-year World Series drought. In 2008, college football saw the Year of Tebow, as Florida’s star quarterback became simultaneously the most loved and reviled player in the nation. Just this past year, we experienced the Year of LeBron James’ Ego in the NBA.
You can, of course, shrink this down to a local level as well. Oregon football has had a storied history, filled with ups and downs. There was the Year of Joey in 2001, and the Year of the Toilet Bowl in 1983; the Year of Dennis Dixon’s Knee in 2007, and the Year of BCS Dreams in 2010.
OK, so why am I bringing this up? Well, 2011 might just be the year that no one saw coming. Hopes of a second straight appearance in the BCS National Championship Game were all but dashed in the LSU game, and LaMichael James will have to make quite a comeback to make this the Year of the Heisman.
This is, for better or worse, the Year of the Freshmen.
Take a moment and think about all of the first-year Ducks that have seen the field already: De’Anthony Thomas, Colt Lyerla, Jake Fisher and Tra Carson, to name just a few. It’s quite rare for Chip Kelly to play even one true freshman for a significant period of time; to have this many contributors so early in their careers is nothing short of remarkable.
You already know all about Thomas. His star has exploded since he arrived in Eugene, his electrifying speed and agility dazzling even hardened Duck fans used to watching LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner. Basically, he has proven to be so talented that it’s impossible for Kelly to keep him off the field. That’s pretty rare.
Lyerla has also been difficult to keep on the sidelines, but for slightly different reasons. He was by no means under the radar, given that he was a five-star recruit homegrown in Hillsboro, Ore. But no one expected him to play so soon until injuries to tight ends Brandon Williams and Curtis White forced Kelly’s hand.
It’s been an uphill battle, as Lyerla has been forced to learn not only the complexities of the Oregon offense but also a new position in tight end. The transition hasn’t been seamless, but three catches for for three touchdowns is nothing to sneeze at, and he’s also been impressive on kickoff coverage.
Perhaps most impressive, though, has been progression of Fisher on the offensive line. It has become increasingly rare, even at other schools, for true freshmen to arrive and contribute immediately in the trenches. Most of the time, they simply lack the physical and mental maturity needed to play right away. According to Kelly, offensive linemen have the toughest adjustment to make aside from quarterbacks.
Fisher, apparently, is an exception to this school of thought. At 6-foot-6, 285 pounds, he certainly doesn’t lack in the size department, and Kelly claims that he is improving each week. He debuted under the brightest of lights in Dallas against LSU, and has since chalked himself in as the team’s backup right tackle. It may not sound like much, but Fisher deserves recognition for making such an early impact on a top 10 team.
There are others to name. Tra Carson has played in all three games, averaging 6.4 yards per carry and showing an early grasp of the zone-read system. Linebacker Rodney Hardrick made a name for himself in garbage time against Missouri State, and cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu has also drawn praise from coaches.
So what does this all mean? Well, in some ways it signifies a depth problem Oregon has had since losing standouts like Casey Matthews, Spencer Paysinger and Jordan Holmes, while others like Josh Huff and Kenjon Barner fell victim to early injuries. Kelly doesn’t necessarily want to play so many young players, but his options are limited.
In the end, it can only help for younger players to see the field sooner rather than later. How far the Ducks can get behind that young talent remains to be seen, but one one thing is clear just three games into the Year of the Freshmen: The future is pretty bright.