cornerback
Cornerback Marques Binns has left the
Oregon football team for personal reasons with the intent to transfer to another school, according to the Ducks’ head football coach Mike Bellotti.
A rising senior, Binns amassed 61 tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery in 26 games during his previous three seasons. He appeared in five games during his junior season, recording 12 tackles and one fumble recovery. He also accumulated 30 tackles as a true freshman, when he was thrust into the starting lineup on two occasions.
Listed at 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, Binns was set to enter the fall as one of Oregon’s more experienced defensive backs.
“(Losing Binns) effects us a lot because he had a lot of experience,” senior cornerback Aaron Gipson said after practice Tuesday. “He came in with me and we played as true freshmen. He was a good, solid player, so somebody has to pick up the slack.”
When asked why Binns decided to transfer, Gipson said, “I assume he made the best decision for him.”
While Binns gained experience during his three years at Oregon, it didn’t always translate into more playing time. The Los Angeles native often struggled in man-to-man coverage and spent most of his time in a
reserve role.
During a start last season at Washington State, Binns was burned for two first-quarter touchdown passes before being removed from the game.
Oregon secondary coach John Neal didn’t share Gipson’s opinion when asked how the loss of Binns would effect the secondary.
“It’s his loss, not ours,” Neal said. “It’s
pretty obvious to people (why he left).”
Binns’ best game as a Duck came during his freshman season when he amassed eight tackles and a forced fumble against Southern California.
SuperPrep magazine rated Binns as one of the top prep defensive back prospects coming out of Dorsey High School, when he was credited with 35 tackles and three interceptions as a senior. He also accumulated 30 receptions for
590 yards as a wide receiver.
Oregon still has plenty of depth at cornerback, including Gipson, senior Justin Phinisee, sophomore Jackie Bates, true freshman Willie Glasper and redshirt freshman Sharrod Davis.