Every player on the University of Oregon football team has a role. There are starters and bench warmers, skill players and bruising lineman. Every man on the roster, regardless of position, provides different strengths and weaknesses on the field. For the Ducks, both Josh Huff and Lavasier Tuinei make the slot receiver position their own. Tuinei is a veteran possession receiver, is known for his blocking and short-range pass-catching abilities. He wasn’t recruited by any Division-I football programs and worked hard to earn a starting spot for the Ducks. Huff, on the other hand, came to Oregon as a highly touted freshman expected to make big plays during his first year in Eugene. Despite their differences, the pair will lead the Oregon receiving corps next season. The two split playing time, but each player recognizes their own unique contributions to the country’s top-ranked team.
Josh Huff
Oregon Daily Emerald: You committed to Utah, Minnesota and TCU and then de-committed from all three before coming to Oregon. Why did you choose those three schools and then change your mind?
Josh Huff: The reason was because when I was visiting those places, it felt like a family environment. Before I came up here for my visit, I wasn’t sure about my chances to play here much, the weather and being away from home. But when I visited with Coach (Scott) Frost and Coach (Chip) Kelly they took me in as another son.
ODE: You played quarterback, running back, wide receiver and cornerback in high school and you were ranked as a four-star recruit at running back. You now are listed at receiver but play all over the field on offense and return kicks. Are you happy with your role on the team?
JH: I’m just happy that I’m helping the team any way possible. I knew I could come in as an athlete and I could play anywhere. I just wanted to stay on the offensive side of the ball.
ODE: Where do you feel you make the greatest difference on the field?
JH: When I’m spread out as receiver. It gives more space for the speed of LaMichael (James), Jeff (Maehl) and D.J. (Davis). It takes eyes off of them so the defense can’t key on just one or two dudes.
ODE: Did you expect to see this much playing time coming into this year, your first with the Ducks?
JH: I had a mind-set coming in that I was going to play in fall camp. I saw that I wasn’t going to start so I had time to grow and get ready to make an impact. Now I’m here and ready.
ODE: You and Darron Thomas are both from just outside Houston and went to high school just 15 minutes apart. Did you know Darron during your prep days and what is that hometown connection like for both of you?
JH: I knew of him and played against him when I was a sophomore, but I didn’t know him personally. When I came for my visit here we got to know each other. He was one of the people to help me make my decision to come here. There isn’t really a hometown connection; it is just a great chemistry that we have built since we have been here.
ODE: You have nearly 500 yards of total offense and five touchdowns thus far. Did you have any statistical goals coming into this season?
JH: Not really, like I said before I just want to help team out in any way possible.
ODE: The Ducks offense is full of explosive playmakers, yourself included. Out of all those guys, who do you most feel has the potential to take it all the way every time?
JH: That is kind of hard, because we have LaMichael who gets 20 to 25 touches a game and he could go all the way and Jeff (Maehl) who is a go-to, trusted receiver and can turn a 10-yard catch into a 50-yard score.
ODE: Who is your favorite player to watch on the team?
JH: LaMike. I feel like I have some comparisons with him ­— my strength and my speed. Jeff (Maehl) too though, because I look up to Jeff. The catches he makes sometimes are ones I never thought I could make. But I see him do it I think: “Hey, I could catch that.”
ODE: What player have you learned from the most in your time here?
JH: D.J. Davis. He taught me the ropes of the offense and to keep your head up when you get down. The veterans on the receiving corps too, just showing me what to do.
ODE: As a football player, you are eligible for certain perks, including the Jaqua Center, gear from Nike, and access to athlete-only areas like the Casanova Center. Do you think these perks are justified and do you use them?
JH: I feel like it is fair, because of our schedule — it is packed. Other students need tutors when they don’t understand things just like us, but we just get our own building.
ODE: Against Washington you returned a kickoff for a touchdown only to have it called back because of a penalty. You also had another return of 80 yards that almost finished in the end zone. How did it feel to get that close to scoring on special teams and not make it?
JH: Every time I get the ball, I tell myself I’m going to score. Kenjon (Barner) said, a kick is just like a baseball pitch, you just got to get the right one. I’m just waiting for the game I get it.
ODE: As an athlete here in Eugene, you get a lot of attention. Does the attention bother you or do you like it? Do you feel like people get to know the real Josh Huff?
JH: Before I leave here, this is my plan. I don’t want to be known as the football player who played for the Ducks, I want to be that the nice guy everyone knows that helps you with your homework.
Lavasier Tuinei
Oregon Daily Emerald: You played at two different high schools in Indiana and attended Golden West Community College in Huntington Beach, Calif., before coming to Oregon. How much work was it to make yourself eligible to play in Division-I?
Lavasier Tuinei: It was a very difficult process for me. My first three years I was a starter in high school and then I had some trouble with the coach so I transferred, and I didn’t get to play much there, which is why I went to junior college. I took the risk at JuCo to take 12 transferable units rather than trying to get an associate’s degree, which would have got me stuck at the JuCo. Luckily, I got here after some trouble with NCAA (regulations) and it couldn’t have been a better last two seasons.
ODE: When you came to this University what did you think your playing chances would be and did you see potential to be a part of back-to-back BCS bowls?
LT: I wasn’t even thinking that far. I was excited to play Division I football when I got here. Then I went a step at a time, play, win games, then this season we said our goal was to get to the ‘ship.
ODE: You are a durable guy on the field, known as a great blocker in the Ducks’ spread offense and as a solid receiver. What area of your game do you pride yourself most on?
LT: Pretty much everywhere. With blocking you get that running game down then no one is stopping us. Catching, I’m more of a possession receiver, trying to get catches for first downs. My height helps me a lot giving me advantage over DBs and LBs.
ODE: During the game at Cal a few weeks ago you set a very physical pick for Jeff Maehl on a crossing route that resulted in you injuring your shoulder. Some people called it a cheap shot. Do you think it was a cheap shot?
LT: No,
it wasn’t a cheap shot, I did what I had to do. I wasn’t trying to kill the dude — I was trying to confuse him a little bit — I just happen
ed to get tangled. Everything just went wrong there.
ODE: How much does it pain you to miss the last two games of the regular season and what are the chances you will be back for an early January bowl game?
LT: I will be back for sure for the bowl, until then I’m just day-to-day.
ODE: You have competed somewhat for playing time with Josh Huff throughout this season. He is your replacement now that you are injured. What kind of help are you giving him so that he may take up your role in the offense?
LT: Me and Josh got a good relationship. Coming in, he was real quiet but I feel like we grew together; he comes up to me for help and I give him help. He is a great athlete, he is fast and he picked up the offense really well. He is doing a great job and I am going to keep giving help.
ODE: What was your favorite game here as a Duck?
LT: It had to be last year when I played at Arizona. My dad played at Arizona and he played at the same JuCo I did. Being able to play on the same fields my dad did, nothing could ever beat that moment.
ODE: Which player, past or present, have you learned from most in your time here?
LT: D.J. Davis. He always wants to get better and make you better. He has a plan for everything. He will put you first before he puts himself first. I talked to him today, he sent me a text message. It was something like: “I played (against Arizona) like I had a burden on my shoulder because I was playing that game for you. I knew I had to win these last games so you (Lavasier) could be back to play in the future.” That touches me. I feel like he is one of my best friends.
ODE: You work with Scott Frost, the receivers coach, a lot. What is your personal relationship with him like?
LT: That guy has changed the wide receiver corps here. He came from Nebraska where he won a national championship and the NFL and he brings that info to us. Frost is real religious and he gives us a lot of help and advice on life and values too when we need it.
ODE: As a football player, you are eligible for certain perks, including the Jaqua Center, gear from Nike and access to athlete-only areas like theCasanova Center. Do you think these perks are justified and do you use them?
LT: What we do is what we love to do —­ play football. What happens on campus has nothing to do with us. I’m not saying it is fair or not fair that we get the Jaqua or new clothes, we just happen to have more support than other people. We do bring in the money and it is helpful to have things like that. Man, you should just take that up with Phil Knight, you ask Phil Knight that tough question. People need to know we work hard for theses things, we bust ourselves for that stuff.
ODE: As an athlete here in Eugene you get a lot of attention. Does the attention bother you or do you like it? And do you feel like people get to know the real Lavasier?
LT: I have made a lot of friends here and a lot of people here know who I really am. I mean, it is what it is. If people see me as a football player, they can, but I love socializing with people and getting to know other people and learning from them. I’m not trying to search for friends but I love the fact that people know me on campus like that.
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