Flock Thoughts is a sporadic series at WFOD that aims to offer opinion and analysis on a collection of newsworthy items surrounding the Oregon football program that don’t necessarily warrant their own in-depth piece.

Think of it as going to Costco for the samples, but just replace the nice ladies in hairnets and plastic gloves with our thoughts on some of the latest developments surrounding Duck football.

Today, our focus centers around the Ducks’ newly vacant wide receiver coach position, the intrigue surrounding USC verbal commitments Puka Nacua and Kyle Ford, and Oregon’s pursuit of three-star defensive lineman Kristian Williams.

How should Mario Cristobal address the coaching opening at wide receiver?

After back-to-back offseasons of major upheaval in Eugene, things have been relatively quiet for the Ducks as they enter 2019 following Mario Cristobal’s inaugural season as the head coach at Oregon. However, that doesn’t mean it’s been an offseason to snooze through. After losing linebackers coach Cort Dennison to Louisville on January 3 (and ultimately replacing him with former Washington State assistant Ken Wilson on January 23), Cristobal is now tasked with searching for a replacement for Michael Johnson, the now former Oregon wide receivers coach who is reported to have accepted the same position at Mississippi State.

In Johnson, the Ducks lose a coach who was notably responsible for the impressive recruiting haul that took place at wide receiver during the early signing period in December, as Johnson was listed as a key recruiter for four-star prospects Mycah Pittman and Lance Wilhoite, and three-star receiver JR Waters, per 247Sports. However, fairly or unfairly, Johnson has also drawn criticism for being the individual largely responsible for the staggering lack of overall development that has transpired at receiver since his arrival in Eugene prior to the 2017 season with then head coach Willie Taggart. It’s worth noting too that Johnson was somewhat of a backup option for Taggart at the time, as Taggart’s original hire – Jimmy Dougherty – left for UCLA after only two months on the job at Oregon.

In replacing Johnson, there are a few key boxes we feel are necessary for Cristobal to check as he vets potential candidates:

1. Be a proven developer of talent: More than anything else, the Ducks need a coach who can get the very most out of his charges. It’s no secret that the team’s most glaring depth chart weakness heading into next season is at receiver. With Dillon Mitchell off the to the NFL, there is no obvious choice as to who will assume the mantle as the Ducks’ go-to guy (no disrespect to leading returning receiver Jaylon Redd). It’s critical for the next receivers coach to be someone who has demonstrated success in elevating the play of an entire unit.
2. Have ambition and a great understanding of offensive football: It’s probably too soon to say that Oregon offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo is on the hot seat, but with a highly anticipated bout with SEC power Auburn on the distant horizon, it’s not hard to imagine Arroyo’s seat warming considerably should the Oregon offense resemble what was seen in the Redbox Bowl after a lengthy offseason. With that, it’s entirely possible that Cristobal could be tabbing Arroyo’s eventual successor with this next hire. Ideally, Oregon’s next receivers coach has lofty ambitions, a progressive approach with regard to scheme, and is someone Cristobal would feel reasonably comfortable entrusting the offense with despite relative inexperience.
3. Be a strong recruiter: This is pretty much a pre-requisite with Cristobal as the head coach, but it’s a key element nonetheless when putting together the profile for the next receivers coach at Oregon.

How hopeful should Duck fans be about the prospect of landing Puka Nacua or Kyle Ford?

Given the dysfunction and long-term uncertainty hanging over the USC program, one could argue that the iron has never been hotter for rival Pac-12 programs to strike at the opportunity to raid top unsigned recruits currently committed to the Trojans’ 2019 class. The two names generating the most buzz are two of USC’s most highly touted verbal commitments in four-star wide receivers Puka Nacua and Kyle Ford.

Since Kliff Kingsbury’s hasty departure from Los Angeles for Glendale, trading in his brief duties as USC’s offensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals’ head coaching gig, the Trojans’ already beleaguered recruiting class has slowly but surely shown signs of structural failure. Just last week, five-star receiver Bru McCoy asked for and was granted a full release from his letter of intent only weeks after enrolling at USC. McCoy has since transferred to Texas. However, Nacua and Ford remain in the Trojan fold, if only temporarily.

Regarding Ford, the Ducks have been a major player for his services essentially since the 2019 recruiting cycle began. In fact, Oregon was believed to be the runner-up for Ford following his decision to commit to USC in early January. On Monday, reports linked North Texas offensive coordinator and former Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell to the vacant offensive coordinator position at USC. Though an official announcement hasn’t been made regarding Harrell and USC, the potential move could be one that ultimately convinces Ford to remain committed to the Trojans despite momentum having slowly shifted in the Ducks’ favor in recent weeks. Publicly, Ford has remained quiet on the matter. With Oregon needing to address their own coaching vacancy on the offensive side of the ball, time is of the essence for both programs finalize deals with prospective coaching targets, but there’s no doubt Oregon is in a stronger position at the moment given the comparative stability of their staff. Should USC’s search for a new offensive coordinator drag on, Oregon would seemingly stand to benefit, but only for a brief window in our eyes. If Ford postpones his decision past the start of the February signing period on February 6, it would seem to signal that Ford still strongly favors USC despite the unrest, as he would likely be a willing participant in any recruiting pitches offered up by the new coordinator in place.

Nacua’s situation feels far less complicated. After not signing with USC during the early signing period, Nacua has had a far more open approach to recruiting compared to Ford in recent weeks. Having already taken official visits to USC and Utah (where his brother Samson is a receiver), Nacua took his third official visit to Washington this past weekend before he embarks on official visits to UCLA and Oregon later this week. The fact Oregon will have the final opportunity to make a lasting impression going into the February signing period should fill Duck fans with optimism given this staff’s recruiting prowess, but Nacua has done a good job of not tipping his hand one way or the other. His decision feels like it could go any number of ways at this time.

Can Oregon edge out home state school Tennessee for three-star defensive lineman Kristian Williams?

Despite inking four defensive line recruits during the early signing period in December, the Oregon coaching staff has remained on the prowl searching for at least one additional prospect to add to this year’s class. Over the last several weeks, Memphis (Tenn.) Southwind three-star recruit Kristian Williams has revealed himself as the Ducks’ top remaining option along the defensive line. 

Currently a verbal commitment to Minnesota, Williams officially visited Eugene this past weekend and it’s believed the Ducks are a top contender for his signature once February 6 arrives. The challenge, however, will be holding off Tennessee, the home state program which plans to host Williams in Knoxville for an official visit this upcoming weekend. Distance could ultimately work against Oregon here, though the Ducks have made Williams a priority recruit for a longer stretch compared to the Vols.