Jeff Lockie Sets Up Showdown with Vernon Adams for Oregon Quarterback Job

The Oregon Ducks began the unenviable task of replacing Heisman Trophy winner and No. 2 overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft Marcus Mariota this offseason and seem to be one step closer to naming his successor. Jeff Lockie, Mariota’s backup the last two seasons, has reportedly “won the spring” and sets himself up as the main challenger to incoming graduate transfer Vernon Adams for the starting job in 2015. Which quarterback will ultimately win out?

For now, the edge goes to Lockie. While the junior has seen limited action serving as the backup to Mariota (outside of garbage time handoffs), he does have a firm grasp of the offensive playbook and familiarity with some of Oregon’s returning playmakers. Over the last two seasons, he has watched and learned behind one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the nation and accumulating 264 yards on 29-of-41 passing with a touchdown and an interception.

While that statline won’t jump off the page at you, the experience he gained in the offense was invaluable during the spring as he fended off challenges from the younger quarterbacks on Oregon’s roster. Sophomore Ty Griffin, redshirt freshman Morgan Mahalak, true freshman Travis Jonsen, and walk-on Taylor Alie all took their shots at the job in spring practice but ultimately fell short. The future of the quarterback position is definitely in good hands with that group of playmakers but for now experience ultimately won out.

That sets Lockie up as the No. 1 guy to take on Adams when he arrives on campus this summer. The former FCS star is bringing plenty of buzz with him to Eugene after a prolific career with the Eastern Washington Eagles. In two games against Pac-12 foes (the Oregon State Beavers and Washington Huskies) since 2013, Adams accounted for 1,009 yards of total offense and 13 total touchdowns while accounting for zero turnovers. If he can replicate that production with the better supporting cast he will have at Oregon, the Ducks will be a force to be reckoned with in 2015.

But the challenge for Adams is trying to learn the playbook and building a rapport with his receivers in a very limited amount of time. Adams won’t finish his degree at EWU until June and won’t take the field with his new team until August. That puts him well behind the learning curve as he attempts to take control of the Oregon huddle in 2015.

So as the Ducks come out of spring practice, we have a showdown brewing to settle who will lead one of the most explosive offenses in the country. Will it be the steady, experienced hand of Jeff Lockie or the explosiveness of Vernon Adams that wins out?

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