Oregon might find a potential replacement for Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota in an unlikely place.
Vernon Adams, who starred in the FCS for the past three seasons as Eastern Washington, is visiting Oregon this weekend. Adams could have a shot at the starting job.
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Here are five things to know about Adams:
The numbers fit Oregon
Prolific might be an understatement. Adams totaled 110 TDs and 31 interceptions with the Eagles in last three seasons. He’s averaging 3,890 total yards and 40 total TDs per season. He missed four games with a broken bone in his foot last season, or those numbers might be higher.
Adams was a three-star recruit out of Bishop Alemany High School (Mission Hills, Calif.). Army is the only FBS school who offered him a scholarship.
He knows the Pac-12
Oregon’s two biggest rivals know Adams.
Adams led EWU with 411 passing yards, 107 rushing yards and six total TDs in a 49-46 win against Oregon State in 2013. He added 475 passing yards, 16 rushing yards and seven TDs in a 59-22 loss against Washington last season.
That’s 1,009 total yards and 13 TDs in two games.
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The film will make you sick
If you want to check out Adams’ college film you might get a little nauseous. EWU plays on red turf. Give it a shot:
He can play right away
Adams has been granted a transfer release. He could be eligible immediately as a graduate transfer for the Ducks.
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He could win starting job
The Ducks have the ultimate mixed bag at quarterback heading into 2015. Jeff Lockie made a brief appearance against Ohio State in the College Football Championship game. Ty Griffin is an incoming transfer from Georgia Tech. Sophomore Taylor Alie, redshirt freshman Morgan Mahalak and incoming four-star freshman Travis Waller also are on board.
Adams has more film than all those guys, which is why he could make a charge for the starting job if he decides to come to Eugene. He wouldn’t leave EWU if that wasn’t the case.
