Written by Tony Di Francisco

This weekend is the annual Oregon NIKE Camp at the University of Oregon. Held in the Moshofsky center and the outdoor practice fields, the camp brings together most of the top regional college football prospects and some national prospects as well. This year looks to be one of the most talented group in awhile. DuckTerritory will be there to cover the camp as well as preview it. Throughout the week, we'll release some of the top prospects who are planning on attending five at a time and include the ESPN/Scouts, Inc. evaluation to go with those prospects.

TE/DE Curtis White, Eugene, OR (OREGON COMMIT)...
White is a pretty darn good athlete and could be recruited for both sides of the ball. He has good size and with his frame he should be able to pack on more good bulk once he gets into a college weight program. He could be recruited as a tight end or a defensive end and has ideal type size for both spots. His best fit is at tight end at least in the short term.

He has good hands and can seem to just pluck the ball out of the air at times. Once he catches the ball he is a good runner and can make some defenders miss. He moves pretty fluidly for a kid with his size. He displays good speed and can be kid with his size and athleticism that can cause some match-up problems. He runs solid routes and can be physical as a receiver. As a blocker he is not afraid to mix it up, but comes across as a bit more of a get it done type kid at this point.

He will get in defenders way and will smack a defender if presented the opportunity, but needs to keep working in his technique in this phase. He really at this point looks more comfortable as a receiver and seems to be relied more on for that. While he is a good tight end prospect he also has upside at the defensive end position. He seems to be relying a little more on natural athleticism on defense but shows a pretty high ceiling.

Needs to be more consistent with his hands, but can get around blocks and closes very well on the ball carrier. He can apply some heat coming off the edge as a pass rusher. He has the raw tools to cause some problems, but needs to keep developing some of the little things at the defensive end position. White is a promising prospect with size, athleticism, and versatility. Displays the tools to be a good and productive college player.

WR Keanon Lowe, Portland, OR...
Lowe is like a cat on the field. He has a ton of athletic talent and is extremely active on offense, defense and special teams. His only limitation is pure size; it will help to put on some bulk in the lower body. He has the great combination of speed and quickness. Big play making receiver that has soft and reliable hands that can catch anything close. Runs excellent routes and can separate from the defensive back. Runs deep route with precision and executes the post corner and takeoff routes like a seasoned veteran. Isn't afraid to catch the ball in a crowd and can turn a short catch into a big play.

Elusive in the openfield after catching the football; often makes defenders miss or splits them for extra yardage. Can really set up and turn a defensive back the wrong way in man coverage. Shows the speed and running talent to be a threat on the counter and reverse. Very shifty in the openfield and on the perimeter with loose hips; can stop and start instantly.

An outstanding return specialist that can make a defender completely whiff. Fields the ball cleanly on kickoff returns and darts north and south like a rocket. Makes his cuts going full speed and reads his blocks instinctively. As a free safety is a very solid center fielder that displays an excellent break on the football and can go overtop or cut underneath the receiver to make a play. Demonstrates the ability to play man to man coverage and can maintain positioning on the receiver.

Fundamentally sound at tackling and is tough and aggressive despite size; likes to hit. Lowe is truly an athlete that has the potential to play both sides of the football but his size may make him a more attractive offensive player. He could also have a chance to play corner due to his hips and agility. He is a gifted athlete that can also be a big time return specialist. Lowe has a bright future ahead of himself on the gridiron.

DT George Uko, Chino, CA...
Uko is a pretty interesting player. As you watch him you never really know what you will see or get from play-to-play. In one instance you will see him beat everyone off the ball and crash the backfield. In another you will see him make a nice quick move and blow by a blocker. On another you can see him get tall and absorb a block yet on the next you will see him just dominate the man in front of him but possibly not notice the ball carrier go right by him. All that being said the kid shows some flashes, but needs to find some consistency.

He has solid size and looks on film to have the frame to add more good bulk. He has a good get-off, but needs to be more consistent. He displays good raw strength to take on blocks. He is a tough kid to move off the ball even facing double teams. He can be good with his hands, but needs to be more consistent in using them to separate and help him shed. He can be a bit of a risk taker. You might see him pop up and %u2018Ole a blocker with a quick swim and get penetration. You can expect the kid to make an exciting play, but you need to brace yourself for the fact that he may also run himself out of position.

He has a good motor. He can be a solid tackler at times, but can look for the kill shot at times and whiff. As a pass rusher he can beat his man with a quick move and will also display the ability to be very violent with his weapons. Uko is a fun kid to watch. He can be disruptive, but may also add some premature gray hairs to his coaches head. Good prospect, with some upside if he can just channel some of his energy and become a little more consistent in some areas of his play.

LB Hayes Pullard, Los Angeles, CA...
Pullard is a versatile prospect and very impressive from a physical standpoint. Plays both inside linebacker and the fullback out of the Wing T set and he could potentially get recruited as both at the next level. Very productive on both sides of the ball. Has adequate height, well-layered thickness and overall a powerful frame. On offense, he's a very strong, downhill back with deceptively good feet to make defenders miss through the hole. Is shifty with good in-line balance and jump-cut skill.

Never really gives defenders a clean shot at him. The type of back who can consistently come at a defense and wear them down while also staying durable. Has a very strong base, is sturdy and runs with good shoulder lean through traffic earning most of yards after initial contact. Very difficult to tackle high with his ability to quickly gain downhill momentum and power. Very good leg drive and second effort.

A guy who can quickly slice into the second level and while he won't run away from many defensive backs he's almost impossible to arm-tackle. Not as natural on defense and we question his hip-fluidity. Very strong downhill filler and shows good overall physicality at the point of attack. Plays with good leverage. Drives his hips through ball carriers with good force as a tackler but can struggle breaking down when he does not have a direct angle. Lacks great reactive athleticism; can struggle with his reads and get caught up in traffic.

Shows some stiffness turning direction sharply and pursuing laterally. Scrapes well but range and athleticism may be limited outside of the tackles when projecting for the next level. On offense, he projects as a high-carry workhorse without a lot of perimeter speed and elusiveness. While limited in certain areas as an overall positional prospect on both sides of the ball, Pullard still has impressive physical tools to mold up at the next level. Should be a mainstay on special teams as well.

CB Shaquille Richardson, Los Alamitos, CA...
No official ESPN/Scouts, Inc. Evaluation yet.

The race for Los Angeles NIKE camp DB MVP was the tightest out of any of the positions at the camp. It came down to Lakewood (Calif.) safety Dion Bailey, Corona (Calif.) corner Demetrious Wright and Shaq Richardson with the Griffin corner pulling it out by a hair. Richardson is a good-sized corner who can play physical at the line, but has the speed to run with the faster receivers. He has been coached very well and comes from a program known for producing quality corners, including San Diego Charger Antoine Cason and Dallas Cowboy Orlando Scandrick.

Check DuckTerritory tomorrow to see 6-10.

Comments (2)

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written by Autzen Game Day, June 09, 2009

Tony,

This story is getting me excited about recruiting. While it's been very slow, it is great to see a higher level of talent interested in the Ducks. How would you rate our chances with each?

Here's my thought:

White 100%
Lowe 80%
Uko 40%
Pullard 5%
Richardson 40%

Thanks.

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written by Tony Di Francisco, June 09, 2009

Welcome to DT Autzen Gameday.

If I were a betting man, I'd say realistically from everything I've heard...

White- 97%
Lowe- 60%
Uko- 30%
Pullard- 1%
Richardson 10%

Obviously Pullard and Richardson's % would go up if Oregon offers. With Pullard deciding not to attend the camp in lieu of Arizona's camp within hours of me writing this article, I think that's a sign. I feel good about Oregon's chances with Lowe since Harper and Phlugrad transferred. We'll see what happens with Braxton Lane and baseball but if he goes to the MLB, that would only help even more (Although I'd obviously rather have him in Eugene since he's a tremendous talent).

I'll know more about Uko after this weekend. It's a plus that he's coming up with his family. 30% isn't bad considering the other schools vying for his services and his thoughts on them. I do think Oregon has as good of a shot as anyone. Sounds like the coaching staff needs to go over the depth chart with him because if competing for early playing time is a factor, Oregon can offer that.

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