Let’s not lose sight of the fact that we’re only days into fall camp, but it feels like something’s brewing out wide for the Oregon Ducks.

Coming off what can be best, and most kindly, described as a trying 2018 season at wide receiver (a season that featured 52 drops from Duck pass catchers), there is real hope on both the immediate and long-term horizon for the unit.

Some of it has to do with the extra year of experience for veteran returning players such as Johnny Johnson, Brenden Schooler, and Jaylon Redd. Some of it also has to do with addition of Penn State grad transfer Juwan Johnson, and the steady emergence of redshirt freshman Bryan Addison, who each serve as the kind of big, athletic receiving targets that have been seldom seen in Eugene over the past several years.

But perhaps the biggest reason for optimism at wide receiver this season (and beyond) is the quartet of freshman receivers currently on hand for fall camp, headlined by former four-star prospect Mycah Pittman.

After arriving on campus earlier this spring, Pittman wasted no time establishing himself as not just a viable option in the passing game, but as a possible go-to receiver capable of shouldering a heavy burden for the Ducks and quarterback Justin Herbert through the air. That was demonstrated to a degree in the Oregon Spring Game this past April, as Pittman led all pass catchers with seven receptions on the day.

Fast forward to fall camp, and it appears that belief has only been reinforced, as Pittman has reportedly carried over that level of production (and then some) through the first few practices. In fact, an argument could probably be made that he’s been Oregon’s most consistently excellent pass catcher over that span, highlighting his efforts with reliability and incredible flair.

Droppin’ dimes. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/IeZQK1vq3R

— GoDucks (@GoDucks) August 4, 2019

Again, it’s early, but if you bleed green and yellow, it’s difficult to suppress your excitement surrounding Pittman. And if the reports during fall camp turn out to be the same kind of things that are witnessed this season, an honest conversation should be had regarding Pittman and whether he is actually the Ducks’ most indispensable offensive player, excluding Herbert.

Sound loco?

It might not be if you consider for a moment what the complexion of the offense might be without him in the lineup.

If you believe the hype, then you believe that Pittman could emerge as this team’s go-to receiver similar to Dillon Mitchell. And let’s not forget how much of a catalyst Mitchell was for the Ducks on offense last season. Mind you, predicting a record-setting performance for a freshman would be the definition of overzealous. However, like Mitchell, Pittman could serve as the tone setter for this unit, as his play could help not only elevate the offense, but also dictate the standard for which the rest of Oregon’s receivers will be held to. A tall order, still, for a freshman, but one that feels attainable in Pittman’s case.

Consider also for a moment Oregon’s depth elsewhere on offense. If we remove Herbert from the mix, the Ducks are deep at virtually every position group heading into the upcoming season. As difficult as a severe injury to CJ Verdell, Jacob Breeland, or any one of Penei Sewell, Calvin Throckmorton, Jake Hanson, or Shane Lemieux would be to swallow, the Ducks have an impressive collection of talent waiting in the wings at running back, tight end, and offensive line, respectively, to pick up the mantle.

That’s not so much the case at wide receiver, a position with no shortage of hopefuls but noticeably lacking a marquee name. Yet, given what we’ve seen thus far, it doesn’t feel like a stretch to say that Pittman may well be that player, even though he has yet to play a collegiate down.

Admittedly, the Ducks are in a much better position from a depth perspective across the board entering 2019 than they we entering 2018, making it tough to truly slap the “indispensable” label on anyone not named Justin Herbert. But there’s an undeniable star quality about Pittman; one that isn’t redundant at his position and one that is reserved for only a handful of players on this roster.

We may only be a few days into fall camp, but it feels like Ducks already have something rare in Mycah Pittman.