A cliche will be tested by the Oregon football team when summer turns to fall.
In football, the motto “next man up” is used often. Last season, Oregon constantly used the phrase, citing the importance of backup players replacing injured starters.
When Ifo Ekpre-Olomu was injured before the start of the College Football Playoffs, Chris Seisay was the next man up. Before the national title game, when Darren Carrington was suspended, there was a next man up. Someone was always there, from within the team, to be the next man up.
It became the team’s mantra.
When Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota announced he was going to enter the NFL draft, eyes from outside the team immediately darted to presumably the next man up: redshirt junior Jeff Lockie.
But immediately after Oregon’s 42-20 loss to Ohio State in the national championship, with Mariota leaving a distinct possibly, head coach Mark Helfrich said that the team would “exhaust every path to find the right guy, the right fit,” to replace Mariota.
In February, the idea that Eastern Washington quarterback Vernon Adams, who threw for 110 touchdowns and 31 interceptions as a three-year starter, might transfer to Oregon picked up steam. On Feb. 9, Adams confirmed that he was heading to Oregon.
While he waits to graduate, Adams – who was barred from practicing with Eastern Washington due to the fact Oregon plays the team to open the season – has been practicing on his own in Cheney, Washington.
In Eugene, Lockie is preparing for the chance to compete for the starting quarterback spot. A year ago, in last year’s spring game, Lockie was locked in a competition for the backup spot with Jake Rodrigues. Lockie completed 7 of 12 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown. Rodrigues later transferred to San Diego State.
Being in a competition isn’t new to Lockie. This time around, he believes he’s mentally prepared for it.
“Being here since my freshman year, competing since I stepped on campus with other guys, it helps you get the mindset of how to go into practice,” Lockie said. “Not comparing yourself to others, but it helps me worry about myself more.”
In theory, and if the next man up mentality held through, Lockie has earned the starting quarterback spot. He’s been the backup for Mariota the past three seasons. He’s sat and he’s learned the position.
“He knows a lot,” wide receiver Bralon Addison said. “He knows the playbook as well as anyone in the program.”
At Saturday’s spring game, Adams will be there. He’s visited the team once during the spring, but he’ll get a chance to see what his future team looks like in a game-like scenario. He’ll also get a chance to watch Lockie – his competition.
After the game is over, with no more organized practices until summer, the race for the starting quarterback spot will officially commence. But while everyone awaits Adams, Lockie has taken advantage of the spring. He’s prepared to be the next man up.
“It’s doing a positive thing for (Jeff), bringing out the competitive edge in him, that people are overlooking him,” Addison said. I’ve seen him walk around and he’s savvy. He’s command the huddle, commanding the team. That’s something the coaches and we as players like to see out of Jeff.”
Follow Joseph Hoyt on Twitter @JoeJHoyt
Mililani High School (Hawaii) three-star running back Vavae Malepeai will join Byron Marshall, Thomas Tyner and Royce Freeman in Oregon’s backfield, per multiple reports. 247Sports ranks Malepeai as the No. 34 running back in the 2016 class. Oregon men’s and women’s outdoor track and field each captured 2015 NCAA championships …
