Dwayne Benjamin has participated in Oregon’s last two spring practices, but that doesn’t necessarily mean playing for the Ducks in the fall is his only option.
The possibility of him doing so doesn’t sound nearly as set in stone as it did a week ago.
While addressing the media Wednesday morning, Oregon offensive coordinator Matt Lubick said Benjamin isn’t settled on what he’s going to do, and that the senior basketball standout may very well still pursue a professional basketball career overseas.
“I don’t know Dwayne that well; I’ve got a lot of respect for Dwayne and the basketball team. I think he’s kind of up in the air right now what he’s going to do — he’s got some basketball options,” Lubick said. “Football’s not an easy game and we’re pretty talented at the wide receiver spot.”
“It’s really hard to say what he can do and if he could help us. But I know right now that he’s not settled on what he’s going to do.”
Oregon boasts one of the top returning receiver groups in the nation. Darren Carrington and Dwayne Stanford highlight an Oregon unit that includes seven returning players who contributed last season and welcomes several highly-touted freshman.
“If someone from outside-in was going to come in and play at our skill where we’re a little deeper than we’ve been in the past, you’ve got to be pretty darn good,” Lubick said.
While Lubick didn’t tip his hand as to who might be leading Oregon’s quarterback competition, he called Wednesday an “install day” and noted that the quarterbacks will be digesting a lot more plays than they were last week.
Also, according to Lubick, all of Oregon’s tight ends are fully healthy and practicing. Pharaoh Brown returned to the field for the first time last week after missing all of the 2015 season.
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