Vernon Adams Making Strong Case for Oregon Starting QB Job

After finally earning his degree from Eastern Washington University and joining the Oregon Ducks last week, the biggest question facing Vernon Adams in his quest to become the next starting quarterback in Eugene was whether or not he could pick up the high-octane offense of Mark Helfrich and Scott Frost, especially after missing all of summer workouts and the first week of fall camp. After just a handful of practices, though, it appears that Adams is proving to be a quick study and making a strong challenge to Jeff Lockie for the No. 1 QB position in 2015.

While practices are closed to the public and Adams, as a first year player, is not allowed to speak with the media before the season starts, there are plenty of people raving about what Adams has been able to show in his first few practices in Eugene. Receiver Dwayne Stanford said that the new QB “looked real good making throws and making D-linemen miss and getting the ball where he needs it to be.” Sophomore receiver/cornerback Charles Nelson described Adams as “a guy that likes to put it out there and let us receivers go out there and make something happen. That’s what we like.” Even Helfrich, while doing his best to stay neutral, shared his initial evaluation of his signal caller, saying: “You can tell he has a lot of ability.”

It’s that “ability” that Helfrich sees in him that might ultimately make the difference for Adams in this quarterback race. While there’s no question that Lockie can execute more of the playbook, Adams brings the added dimension of attacking defenses down the field with a strong, confident arm that has already made him friends with the speedy Oregon receiving corps. His arm strength and aggressive nature will keep defenses on their heels and force them to defend the entire field, creating even more space for the deadly rushing attack Oregon brings to the table.

Jeff Lockie brings a lot to the table as a potential quarterback for the Ducks with a quick release and strong anticipation of where throwing windows are going to be. His knowledge of the offense and team chemistry built up over the last two years can’t be denied. But Vernon Adams brings a spark to the offense as the most talented QB on the Oregon roster that cannot be ignored. If Adams continues to gain ground in the playbook at the rapid pace that he has been, his rise to the starter’s job may be an inevitability.

If things continue to progress in fall camp as they have since Adams’ arrival, the question at camp will shift away from IF Adams can win the starting job and become WHEN will Adams win the starting job. Can the former FCS star take the Oregon offense all the way back to a Pac-12 title and another spot in the College Football Playoff?

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