New Oregon regime has Sunshine State focus

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When Oregon hired Willie Taggart away from USF in December, it became clear the program was looking for a fresh face to energize the program both on the field and on the recruiting trail. Taggart, whose ties to Florida go well beyond just his time at USF, quickly made the Sunshine State a priority in the first step to re-energizing the once mighty Ducks.

The results in Florida came quickly and efficiently. Despite having just six weeks to recruit, Taggart and his staff managed to sign seven players from Florida in the 2017 class, the most in the Rivals.com era. If all goes according to plan that number will likely be even higher in the Class of 2018.

Less than two months after Signing Day, the Ducks have already offered nearly 50 prospects from Florida, several of which already openly profess their affinity for the school.

“It was a huge deal when I got that offer,” three-star Kissimmee (Fla.) Gateway defensive end Dennis Briggs, Jr. said. “Growing up I loved Oregon. The uniforms and everything they were about. Now they have Coach Taggart, someone I’ve known and had a connection with, and it makes it that much better.”

Oregon’s 2017 Florida haul consisted of one four-star and six three-star players, but the Ducks have thrown themselves into recruiting battles with Florida, Florida State and Miami for the state’s top players in this year’s class.

“I definitely looked at Oregon when I younger and saw all the stuff they were about, the uniforms, the facilities, playing in big games,” Apopka, Fla. offensive lineman William Barnes, the nation’s No. 49 overall ranked player, said. “Now they’re recruiting me and they’re a school I’m really looking at.”

But players from the Southeast have openly talked about their love for the Ducks for years. Just two years ago, the nation’s No. 1 overall player, Byron Cowart, continually referred to the Ducks as his leader despite never visiting Eugene. Cowart went on to sign with Auburn.

Southeast Recruiting Analyst Rob Cassidy, who covers the state of Florida for Rivals.com, said it will be easier said than done for Oregon to go toe-to-toe with the state’s top programs.

“Players in Florida love the idea of Oregon, but it’s hard to get prospects to go that far for college,” Cassidy said. “The Ducks will have no problem being in the top five for players and getting mentioned, but landing them will be quite a task. Alabama has been feasting on top talent in the recent past and Florida State is a force as well. With Miami going through a recruiting renaissance, it’s going to be tough for a program on the other coast to make much of a dent in the state when it comes to the top few tiers of talent.”

While distance is clearly a hurdle, Taggart’s relationship with prospects, parents and coaches could be the wildcard when it comes to selling the move across the country on the recruiting trail.

“I’ve known that coaching staff for a long time so it’s kind of like I have a family up there,” three-star Tampa (Fla.) Sickles quarterback Jordan McCloud said. “But it is different than having your real family and it is 3,000 miles away. That’s something you have to think about, but having the bond with the coaches makes it easier.”

Barnes said he’s planning on take an unofficial visit to Oregon this offseason and returning for an official visit in the fall, something that hasn’t been the norm for Florida prospects considering Oregon in years past.

“Whatever feels like home for me and whatever my parents think is best for me is going to be where I go,” Barnes said. “If that happens to be far away I’m fine with that and I think they are, too.”

Only time will truly tell how successful the Ducks can be recruiting Florida on a yearly basis, but one thing is clear: The school and its new coach have the attention of the Sunshine State’s prospects.

“Ever since I was younger I always liked them -- the uniforms and all that,” Apopka (Fla.) Wekiva defensive back Jarvis Ware said. “I know since Coach Taggart is going there he’s going to turn them around. He turned USF around and he’s a good coach. Now he’s bringing a bunch of Florida guys with him and they’re going to go up there and make a name for themselves.”