Oregon head football coach Mike Bellotti and his assistant coaches should probably be eligible for those frequent flyer miles by now.
Of the 24 players the Ducks signed Wednesday, only one hails from Oregon, while 14 are from California, and the rest are from as far away as Florida.
“We finished a successful day,” Bellotti said. “Recruiting went very well.”
At quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back — areas singled out by Bellotti that needed work — the Ducks significantly improved.
Bellotti received a commitment at approximately 11 a.m. Wednesday from San Leandro, Calif. quarterback Dennis Dixon, one of the West Coast’s most sought-after players. He will not attend school until the winter or spring, allowing Oregon to sign two other quarterbacks, Johnny DuRocher from Graham, Wash., and Montana’s Brady Leaf, brother of former Washington State standout Ryan Leaf.
“It allows us to have one of the best groups of quarterbacks in the nation joining us,” Bellotti said.
DuRocher, Washington’s Gatorade Player of the Year, is set to attend Oregon in the spring, allowing him to join the Ducks earlier than most high school recruits. With the Oregon quarterback situation in flux, it could allow him to jump into the mix for the starting job, although it isn’t likely.
“His chances of playing will be enhanced by being here in the spring,” Bellotti said.
At defensive back, Bellotti believes the Ducks have made strides, specifically with two junior college standouts signed, as well as three high school recruits, two of which stand 5-foot-11-inches or higher.
But it is the one recruit under that height that received most of Bellotti’s attention Wednesday.
Ryan Gilliam, of Lincoln High School in Tallahasse, Fla., is considered one of the top 11 cornerbacks in the nation, according to ESPN.
Standing 5-foot-9-inches, Gilliam is known mostly for his quickness and explosion. His brother, Mike, is currently a running back at Georgia.
“We don’t usually recruit Florida, but we took some shots there,” Bellotti said. “He fell in love with (Eugene). I would say (he is) a very brave and courageous young man who saw what he liked.”
Getting back to the offensive side of the ball, Bellotti signed a group of wide receivers that has no shortage of height and size.
The group is led by Marcus Maxwell, a junior college transfer from Diablo Valley College in California. He averaged five receptions per game last season en route to earning a spot on the first-team all-Golden Gate Conference squad.
“He provides the big wide receiver we’ve been lacking,” Bellotti said.
Bellotti failed to sign a running back and acknowledged the Ducks had been recruiting between three and five players at the position. However, he said he is confident in the ability of Oregon’s returners at the position.
Two offensive linemen signed with Oregon, but according to Bellotti, the Ducks did not have many scholarships to give at the position area because 13 scholarship players return next season.
Of Oregon’s signees, four will attend school in the spring of this year. In addition to DuRocher, the list includes junior college cornerbacks Marc Walker and controversial recruit Rodney Woods, as well as high school wide receiver Jordan Carey.
Brandon Bair, a tight end and defensive end from St. Anthony, Idaho, may decide to go on a mission, although that decision has not been made.
It is still yet to be seen how much of an impact the signings will make on Oregon, but it is a class that offers opportunities.
“We’re going to put more size and speed on the field,” Bellotti said.