LeGarrette Blount was a highly touted member of the Oregon football recruiting class of 2008.
The running back, out of East Mississippi Community College, was a four-star recruit according to Rivals.com and a major need — a bruising between-the-tackles runner to complement Chip Kelly and Mike Bellotti’s stable of lightning-fast backs.
He rushed for 1,002 yards and 17 touchdowns in the 2008 season. In 2009, he gained minus-5 yards on eight carries against Boise State and punched an opposing player in the Ducks’ season opener, touching off a melee that changed the fates of Blount, Kelly and the University of Oregon forever.
Jeremiah Masoli, of course, was a late addition and not nearly as touted.
He led the City College of San Francisco to a national championship before joining the Ducks, but at 5 feet 11 and 215 pounds, he was seen as highly atypical, even for Kelly’s spread.
After leading Oregon to a Rose Bowl and winning over fans with his improvisation and cool-under-pressure style, he plead guilty to burglary of a fraternity house and was cited for a traffic violation.
Masoli, now at Ole Miss after a long and contentious appeal to the NCAA to transfer, played in the Rebels’ opening loss to FCS Jacksonville State.
In that recruiting class of 23, Blount and Masoli were but two of six junior-college transfers looking to make an impact with the Ducks.
Wide receiver Ellis Krout (Gavilan (Calif.) Community College) didn’t catch a pass in 2008 and left the program shortly thereafter.
Long snapper Zach Taylor (Blinn (Tex.) Community College) had an inconsistent year before academic troubles curtailed his college career.
Justin Thompson (El Camino (Calif.) Community College), a defensive tackle recruit as touted as Blount, never made it to campus.
Only defensive end Tyrell Irvin (Mt. San Antonio (Calif.) C.C.) remains on the roster today.
The Oregon Ducks have nine players from junior colleges or community colleges on their roster.
Wide receiver Lavasier Tuinei (Golden West (Calif.) Community College) and defensive tackle Zac Clark (Butler County (Kan.) Community College) are the only two starters, but linebacker Bryson Littlejohn (Sierra (Calif.) Community College) and tight end Brandon Williams (Joliet (Ill.) Junior College) are expected to see significant playing time.
In the past six years, Oregon has given scholarships to 23 football players from these institutions.
The results, as with high school players, have been mixed. There have been NFL players (Fenuki Tupou) and program stalwarts (Matthew Harper).
There are also academic washouts (Taylor) and players with disciplinary issues (defensive tackles Andrew Iupati and Terrance Montgomery, both dismissed from the team this offseason).
Junior college players are seen, perhaps unfairly, as mercenaries employed by coaching staffs to accomplish important goals, such as winning.
Their skill development is usually advanced compared to high school recruits, and they are expected to make bigger impacts over their short tenure.
Academic accomplishments are cherries on top, as players usually have reasons for attending junior colleges instead of four-year institutions.
Every so often, players come into the fold with excess baggage. Anyone remember former Duck defensive back Rodney Woods?
Junior college players are not, however, for every college.
The Stanfords and Dukes and Vanderbilts of the world have a hard time competing for players from the system because of the academic rigors.
Top colleges are able to fill needs from two-year institutions that may not be available in a certain high school classes.
Even then, it would appear that the high school player, with as many as five years of eligibility, variability and growth potential, is the preferable option.
Such is the crossroads the Ducks have found themselves at.
As a big-time program in training, they need to consistently staff the football team with talented players that will make grades and otherwise represent the University in a favorable light.
Currently, 10 high school football players have committed to Oregon, according to Rivals.com; no junior-college players have joined their ranks.
Kelly would be best served to tap into that market if necessary, and only if necessary.
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