Jeff Lockie
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 175 40: 4.6
Position: QB
Year: Class of 2012
High School: Monte Vista HS
(Danville, CA)
All through his high school career, Jeff Lockie has been the other quarterback.
He played in a league with two five-star division one prospects, both of whom got more notice. He played for a school that most years finishes in the middle of the pack. Coming to Oregon, he’s invariably mentioned after Jake Rodrigues, the Ducks’ other signee at quarterback on Letter of Intent Day.
When practice begins next fall, Lockie will be fourth on the depth chart.
He’s heard it before. Too small. Too slow. Not a big enough arm.
For two years in the East Bay Athletic League Lockie kept hearing about San Ramon Valley’s Zach Kline and De La Salle’s Bart Houston. Both were Elite 11 invitees and nationally rated. Kline got a full ride to Cal in the spring of his junior year. Houston was snatched up by Wisconsin and Brett Bielema, hoping to find the long-term successor to Scott Tolzien and Russell Wilson.
Against Heritage High in November, too short and too slow Jeff Lockie completed 20 of 33 passes for 355 yards and 5 touchdowns. By the end of the year, he’d thrown for 3278 yards.
And the league coaches named him first team all-league. For the second year in a row. Then they picked him as the league MVP.
Passing
Year Comp Att Yds Comp % TD Int Lg QB rating
2010 167 275 2449 60.7 26 9 78 108
2011 234 387 3278 60.5 31 8 78 106
Rushing
Year Att Yds ave td
2010 57 205 3.60 6
2011 105 136 1.3 7
team record 2010 8-4 overall, 5-2 league, lost in quarterfinals of CIF Northern Section Playoffs
team record 2011 8-5 overall, 5-2 league, lost in the playoffs to San Ramon Valley
He’s a good student, boasting a 3.8 grade average, and he trains at a specialized Northern California fitness facility called California Strength Academy. Jeff Maehl did some sessions there to prep for the NFL combine, and 5-star recruit Kline works out there also. CalStrength uses a speed/power/performance model that incorporates some of the principles Jim Radcliffe has implemented successfully at U of O. So right away we know two things about Lockie: he’s an accomplished passer, and he takes his improvement and potential very seriously. The third thing is that Chip Kelly wants him, and that trumps everything else.
In his highlight video Jeff displays good timing and touch, laying the ball out nicely for receivers on deep routes, rolling to his right and drilling the ball into a tight space along the sideline. He’s mobile and poised, playing in a system where he throws a lot, both out of the shotgun and dropping back. He has good footwork in his set up, but his motion is a little long. He has to rainbow the ball to reach the 30 and 40-yard routes, but he hits receivers in stride and shows good accuracy, completing nearly 61% of his passes as a junior.
Lockie doesn’t have the physical tools of Bennett, Rodrigues or Mariota, but he’s a smart, capable quarterback, and sometimes guys like this develop into great players. Drew Brees isn’t the biggest guy in the world, and neither was Joe Montana. They had poise, intelligence and toughness. They were coachable and worked hard. Lockie’s a Duck now, and who knows, because he’s not done getting better.
Jeff told Greg Biggins of espn.com, “I’ve always liked Oregon and I camped with them last month and had a really good time. I like the offense a lot and feel it’s a good fit for me. I’m a dual-threat guy but feel that I’m a guy that can throw the ball and make plays with my arm as well as my legs when needed.” Confidence, and a determination to make plays, that’s a good start for anyone who wants to be a successful quarterback.
Scouting Notes:
Most of the time in his high school tape he’s dropping back, under center in a deep ace formation. Good footwork, moves around in the pocket well and sees the field on the move. Makes little adjustments, steps up in the pocket, good overall pocket presence. Can make a variety of throws.
Good timing with his receivers, a smart thrower with good touch, takes something off difficult catches like the end zone pass in the flat. Deft use of trajectory and leads his receivers in stride. Gets rid of the ball quickly and makes decisive reads. Mobile, confident, poised. Can scramble or buy time, and he’s very calm in the pocket with exceptional awareness.
Distributes the ball well. Throws to a variety of receivers at different levels of the coverage. Keeps everyone happy and challenges the defense. Makes good, quick reads. Rolling left, delivers the out to the sideline on time and sharp. Sees his windows clearly, extremely efficient and accurate. Not elite size at 6-2 175, but he competes and makes himself hard to hit.
Style wise, and speaking strictly in terms of the throws he makes and the way he’s able to move around and buy time, the way he sees and uses the field, he reminds me of Joe Montana as a young quarterback, a good athlete and smart. Whether he becomes a college starter depends on how well he fills out, works and takes care of himself, but he has the moxie, confidence and consistency you look for in adding a qb to the roster.
Appears very coachable and focused. Has worked hard at becoming a complete quarterback who executes his offense.
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