College Football Recruiting: Thomas Tyner Could Be Next Great Oregon Back
Of all the high schools in the state of Oregon Thomas Tyner is at the right one. I am not his academic adviser but as a neutral observer hundreds of miles away, the running back’s location is appropriate. The blue chip prospect attends Aloha High School in Aloha Oregon. Hawaiian culture uses the word as both hello and goodbye. Tyner does both to any defender who dares enter his immediate radius.
Rivals gives Tyner five stars, a number reserved for only the cream of the crop. If one could make a checklist of all the desirable traits for a back to have, Tyner would have more checks than a graduation party. Speed? check. Balance? check. Toughness? check. Vision? check. Yards after contact? check. Winning smile? probably.
If Oregon is building a reputation for anything it would certainly be great running backs. Stud backs that hail from Eugene is an ever growing list. LaMichael James wowed fans the country over before being drafted by the 49ers this year. The Buccaneers are benefiting from the pounding style of Lagarrette Blount. Here in Denver I’ve seen the talent of Jeremiah Johnson firsthand at Broncos training camp. This year the Ducks could make the argument for the best backfield with the tandem of Kenjon Barner and the versatile De’Anthony Thomas.
A National Championship appearance, including three BCS bowls in a row, have put the Ducks and head coach Chip Kelly on the radar of the top recruits in the nation. Of the 2013 class, there is another running back with high accolades who has given the program a verbal commitment. Four star talent Dontre Wilson of DeSoto Texas will pair nicely with Tyner as a slightly smaller change of pace back.
Other verbals for the class of 2013 include offensive lineman Evan Voeller, considered to be the second best recruit in Oregon after Tyner, hailing from West Linn. The 6’4 285 lb Voeller is rated as a four star prospect. Receiver Darren Carrington, from San Diego, is given four stars from ESPN and three from Rivals. Tight end John Mundt from Modesto has big time size standing at 6’5″. Alex Redmond from Los Alimotos California was the second offensive lineman to verbally commit. Athlete Chris Seisay can be valuable as a receiver or return man.
Kelly is once again bringing in the right pieces for his spread option up-tempo attack. You have to watch the Ducks offense in person to get an idea of just how fast they can be. I saw them last in Boulder, and I’m sure CU defenders are still having nightmares.
As far as the skill positions go, the Ducks take a backseat to no one in the Pac-12. While Oregon fans will have to wait a year to see the 2013 class hit the field in Eugene, they will be plenty of entertained by the 2012 team in the interim.
