Photo by: @EricEvansPhoto
Preseason Camp Preview: Quarterback
07/25/19 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley
Justin Herbert is back for his senior season at the helm of the UO offense, and Tyler Shough is looking to build on an impressive offseason when camp opens next week.
Assessing where things stand for the Oregon football team entering the start of preseason camp Aug. 2.
QUARTERBACK
Who's back: His options: Millions of dollars and the chance to test himself at football's highest level, or one more year in the college program he grew up watching, playing with friends and teammates that now include his younger brother. That choice, Justin Herbert said Wednesday at Pac-12 Media Day in Los Angeles, didn't end up being much of a choice at all. "There was way more pulling me back," Oregon's senior quarterback told a Pac-12 Network crew, "than leading me out. … It's a year that I'll never be able to get back, and something that I really wanted to cherish." Herbert's decision to stay with the Ducks for his senior season is now a few months old, but expressions of devotion to the program such as that certainly won't ever get old to his UO coaches, teammates and fans.
When the Ducks open preseason camp next Friday, it will be Herbert at the helm of the offense for his fourth season as a starter, either full-time or part-time. He's looking to build on a junior season that saw him complete 240-of-404 passes for 3,151 yards, with 29 touchdowns and eight interceptions — numbers the Ducks expect will be even better this fall thanks to improvements throughout the receiving corps. That group, as hinted at above, now includes Herbert's younger brother, Patrick, new to the UO tight end room this year. A Herbert-to-Herbert touchdown no doubt would be the sort of cherished memory Justin wanted a chance to create by playing his senior season. And that's to say nothing of things like a Heisman Trophy bid or College Football Playoff appearance, all of which seem very much to be possibilities as well.
Also back is Tyler Shough, who played just enough as a true freshman last fall to preserve his redshirt status, leaving him with four years still available to contribute for the Ducks. From the moment he arrived on campus, Shough has talked the talk of a future starting quarterback; he has a pro-style stature and commanding presence with both teammates and the media. This past spring, he began to walk the walk as well, operating the UO offense with much improved efficiency. Hopefully it will be another year before Shough has the opportunity to lead Oregon on the field as its starting quarterback. But in March and April he began to hint at the potential of being up to that task whenever it should arise.
Who's new: He arrived in time for spring ball, but Cale Millen was eased into spring drills while coming off an injury and so is about to embark on his first full camp as a true freshman for the Ducks. After putting up video game numbers in high school, Millen is making the transition to the next level with little to no pressure thanks to the experience above him on the depth chart. Of course, that's probably what guys like Justin Roper and Cody Kempt thought back in 2007, and you may remember how that worked out. So the Ducks will eagerly assess the progress of Millen throughout this preseason. The depth chart also includes Bradley Yaffe, who steps into a bigger role this fall. He was second in the rotation with the scout-team offense last season, and is in line to get significantly more reps in 2019.
ROB'S TAKE
Projected depth chart
QB: Justin Herbert, Sr.; Tyler Shough, RFr.; Cale Millen, Fr.; Bradley Yaffe, RFr.
What to watch: The point was made in this space a year ago about the historical connection between keeping the starting quarterback healthy and Oregon enjoying a successful season. And it was borne out again last fall, when Herbert started every game and the Ducks enjoyed a nine-win season that included a bowl victory. Entering 2019, keeping Herbert available is obviously of the utmost importance — no ifs, ands or buts. It's hard to envision the Ducks achieving their ultimate goals without him. That said, the thought of Oregon's offense operating without him is ever-so-slightly less scary than a year ago at this time, due to Shough's impressive spring. And thus, the biggest thing to watch regarding the quarterbacks in August — other than improved chemistry with the receivers — will be more positive signs that Shough has the ability to be an impact Pac-12 player. That's true as well in the case of Millen, as he looks to establish his foundation as a college quarterback.
QUARTERBACK
Who's back: His options: Millions of dollars and the chance to test himself at football's highest level, or one more year in the college program he grew up watching, playing with friends and teammates that now include his younger brother. That choice, Justin Herbert said Wednesday at Pac-12 Media Day in Los Angeles, didn't end up being much of a choice at all. "There was way more pulling me back," Oregon's senior quarterback told a Pac-12 Network crew, "than leading me out. … It's a year that I'll never be able to get back, and something that I really wanted to cherish." Herbert's decision to stay with the Ducks for his senior season is now a few months old, but expressions of devotion to the program such as that certainly won't ever get old to his UO coaches, teammates and fans.
When the Ducks open preseason camp next Friday, it will be Herbert at the helm of the offense for his fourth season as a starter, either full-time or part-time. He's looking to build on a junior season that saw him complete 240-of-404 passes for 3,151 yards, with 29 touchdowns and eight interceptions — numbers the Ducks expect will be even better this fall thanks to improvements throughout the receiving corps. That group, as hinted at above, now includes Herbert's younger brother, Patrick, new to the UO tight end room this year. A Herbert-to-Herbert touchdown no doubt would be the sort of cherished memory Justin wanted a chance to create by playing his senior season. And that's to say nothing of things like a Heisman Trophy bid or College Football Playoff appearance, all of which seem very much to be possibilities as well.
Also back is Tyler Shough, who played just enough as a true freshman last fall to preserve his redshirt status, leaving him with four years still available to contribute for the Ducks. From the moment he arrived on campus, Shough has talked the talk of a future starting quarterback; he has a pro-style stature and commanding presence with both teammates and the media. This past spring, he began to walk the walk as well, operating the UO offense with much improved efficiency. Hopefully it will be another year before Shough has the opportunity to lead Oregon on the field as its starting quarterback. But in March and April he began to hint at the potential of being up to that task whenever it should arise.
Who's new: He arrived in time for spring ball, but Cale Millen was eased into spring drills while coming off an injury and so is about to embark on his first full camp as a true freshman for the Ducks. After putting up video game numbers in high school, Millen is making the transition to the next level with little to no pressure thanks to the experience above him on the depth chart. Of course, that's probably what guys like Justin Roper and Cody Kempt thought back in 2007, and you may remember how that worked out. So the Ducks will eagerly assess the progress of Millen throughout this preseason. The depth chart also includes Bradley Yaffe, who steps into a bigger role this fall. He was second in the rotation with the scout-team offense last season, and is in line to get significantly more reps in 2019.
ROB'S TAKE
Projected depth chart
QB: Justin Herbert, Sr.; Tyler Shough, RFr.; Cale Millen, Fr.; Bradley Yaffe, RFr.
What to watch: The point was made in this space a year ago about the historical connection between keeping the starting quarterback healthy and Oregon enjoying a successful season. And it was borne out again last fall, when Herbert started every game and the Ducks enjoyed a nine-win season that included a bowl victory. Entering 2019, keeping Herbert available is obviously of the utmost importance — no ifs, ands or buts. It's hard to envision the Ducks achieving their ultimate goals without him. That said, the thought of Oregon's offense operating without him is ever-so-slightly less scary than a year ago at this time, due to Shough's impressive spring. And thus, the biggest thing to watch regarding the quarterbacks in August — other than improved chemistry with the receivers — will be more positive signs that Shough has the ability to be an impact Pac-12 player. That's true as well in the case of Millen, as he looks to establish his foundation as a college quarterback.
Players Mentioned
QB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
QB
/ FootballIapani Laloulu | CFP Orange Bowl Preview
Sunday, December 28
Dierre Hill Jr. | CFP Orange Bowl Preview
Sunday, December 28
Emmanuel Pregnon | CFP Orange Bowl Preview
Sunday, December 28
Dante Moore | CFP Orange Bowl Preview
Sunday, December 28
