Discounting Arjei Henderson‘s brief three and a half month commitment to the Ducks between July and November of 2017, the first player to commit to Oregon’s 2019 recruiting class became the second member to de-commit from the program in the span of about two and a half weeks.
On Wednesday, Alvin (Texas) three-star cornerback Marques Caldwell confirmed weeks of open speculation when he de-committed from the Ducks. This unrelatedly follows the decision made by Bakersfield (Calif.) three-star safety Cameron Williams to renounce his verbal commitment to Oregon on June 10.
To whom ever it may concern.
My Decision.
God Bless!🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/kktmVeyQ7L— CÀŁDW3ŁŁ🎒 (@CMarquesssss) June 28, 2018
Upon receiving an offer from Texas in mid-May, Caldwell was promptly put on unofficial “de-commit watch,” as the allure to play for the school he grew up watching and rooting for was enough for him to begin strongly reconsidering his commitment to Oregon. Now that Caldwell’s decision has been made, Duck fans are left with the fallout of what it all means. Below we address the prevailing questions as to what Caldwell’s decision means for Oregon, and discuss how the Ducks may look to fill his place in light of his de-commitment.
If I’m a Duck fan, what should my level of sports agony be?
At this stage in the game it should definitely be low. With six months between now and the early signing period in December, and eight months between now and the February signing period, the Ducks have plenty of time to address Caldwell’s departure and find a player who they like just as much, if not more.
However, don’t be surprised to feel somewhat of a delayed sting from this announcement two to three years down the road. Though he was modestly rated as a three-star player by 247Sports’ Composite Rankings, Caldwell is a player who has all the earmarkings of being a future success. Though slenderly built, at 6’1″, Caldwell has the height, length, and athletic ability to matchup with taller receivers and greatly minimize their impact. His high school tape shows he has a nose for the ball, and that he is completely unafraid to play a physical brand of football, as evidenced by multiple vicious hits he puts on opposing receivers. He’s the kind of unheralded recruit that makes coaching staffs look smart once a final verdict is rendered on a class years after a group has signed. Unfortunately for Oregon, it appears that will happen with Caldwell wearing a different uniform.
With Williams and Caldwell de-committing, should there be concern about Cristobal and his staff’s ability to hold onto recruits?
Only if your name is Chicken Little. The staff Cristobal has put together is as good as any in college football when it comes to getting the job done on the recruiting trail. Losing a potential diamond in the rough in Caldwell isn’t ideal, but it’s also difficult to pry a kid away from an in-state program like Texas (Caldwell’s likely final destination) if the Longhorns decide they really want him. Caldwell’s de-commitment shouldn’t be viewed as an indictment on the Oregon coaching staff and their ability to recruit. This is just the nature of recruiting.
Who might be the top targets to fill Caldwell’s void in the class?
With Caldwell no longer an option (in all likelihood) for the Ducks, expect Oregon to increase their pursuit for a handful of West Coast prospects. Topping the list of potential replacements are Max Williams, Trent McDuffie, Darien Chase, and JUCO product Elijah Blades – all of whom are rated as four-star prospects by 247Sports’ Composite Rankings.