The NCAA's restriction to one home visit per recruit didn't seem to tie the hands of first year head coach Chip Kelly. Two seasons spent on the circuit as the offensive coordinator had demonstrated Kelly was willing - and to a refreshing degree, able - to expand Oregon's recruiting footprint into high school football hotspots other than California.
In his first season as the in home closer, Kelly netted 10 from Baja Oregon, but also pulled in a trio from Texas, a pair from Florida and Arizona, and one each from Illinois, Michigan, Utah and North Carolina. Oregon also added two of the state's premier seniors, putting the final tally 13-10 in favor of "states other than" the Golden State.
Wednesday's most pleasant surprise was DT Ricky Heimuli of Salt Lake City, Utah and Kelly acknowledged that a program that boasted of grads - and SLC natives - Haloti Ngata and Will Tukuafu played a role in a decision that went down to the wire.
"We felt pretty good about Ricky all along," said Kelly. "Him and (defensive line coach) Jerry (Azinarro) had a pretty good relationship throughout this whole thing. Just a great young man, kinda how he handled the process, very orderly in what they did in bringing in their final group the last week. They kind of ran the recruiting the right way."
It was the trio from Texas that served notice of the Duck's expanded ambitions. Athlete Josh Huff - another late decision - joined running backs Dontae Williams and Lache Seastrunk in coming to Eugene from deep in the hearta - newly opened territory for the program. As well as sharing a Lone Star heritage with current RB LaMichael James, the newest Texans bring "speed and more speed" to the Oregon backfield.
"Real talented player," said Kelly of one-time USC commit Seastrunk. "Can flat out fly. Very, very productive, catches the ball really, really well coming out of the backfield. He is really put together, he's a little bit like LaMicheal - probably a little bigger than LaMichael was coming out of high school. A really strong competitor. That speed aspect just jumps off the table - just kinda wow."
"You can put Dontae Williams in that same boat."
DB's coach John Neal was mentioned by Kelly as being responsible for opening the southeast corner of the county, netting the farthest flung Ducks; safeties James Scales (North Carolina) and Isaac Dixon (Florida), and Eric Dungy (ATH - Florida).
Dungy is the son of ex-NFL player and coach Tony Dungy - one of the first to call Kelly in the aftermath of the Boise State fiasco. "Tony never mentioned once that he had a son ... We got a chance to get involved with him late," said Kelly.
"Just a quality kid. He is one of those guys that I think this early recruiting process hurts. He was a 150 some-odd pounds as a junior, so he kind of got over looked.
"Maybe that's a credit to Tony as a man" said Kelly. "Swear to God, Tony Dungy never told me once he had a son that was a football player," explaining the youngster had been pointed out to Kelly by Dungy's high school coach when their paths crossed at a coaching convention.
"I'm excited about the overall depth and really the athleticism of the class. The big thing for me is the character and what these guys are like. They are all kind of bright-eyed guys, you're excited to be around them. They are not a bunch of mopey guys. That was kind of a big thing for me. Guys that you are excited to be around as a coach and the attitude these guys are going to bring in will just mesh with the group we have right now. We have a great chemistry and attitude going on in the program right now. It's about finding the right fit for Eugene and this football team."
Three signees arrived via the junior college circuit; each is enrolled for winter term and will participate in spring camp this coming March. Up to four of the high school recruits are considering the early enrollment option.
Oregon's wider reach was aided as well by Kelly's newest assistants. "We've made some inroads . I think we have some connections. We've got some guys on staff that recruited different areas like "Az", Scott Frost and Mark Helfrich that have added some different areas.
Kelly cited Oregon's increased television exposure as well, saying "I think Oregon has name recognition throughout the country. Whether I'm back home in Boston or New Hampshire, people know who they are. I think 11 of our 12 games were on TV this last year. Just the success of this football program is pretty well known nationwide."
Although allowing that last season's Rose Bowl run "can't help but help" elevate the program in the eyes of recruits, Kelly pointed to an accelerated recruiting process that will have the his staff immediately turning their attention this year's high school juniors in offering that any significant impact is more likely to be seen with the class of 2011.
And it's clear another flight leg or three won't slow Kelly and Oregon from building upon their success of 2010.
