It only matters if they back it up with the season they’re suppose to have, but three Webfoots were selected to ESPN’s preseason All-American team. Oregon was the only school besides defending champion Alabama to have three players honored:
Marcus Mariota, quarterback
Mark Shlabach, ESPN analyst: “Marcus Mariota is a big reason the Ducks aren’t expected to slip much, if at all, under new coach Mark Helfrich, the former offensive coordinator who was elevated after Chip Kelly left for the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles.”
Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, cornerback
Ted Miller, ESPN’s PAC-12 blogger: “Opponents averaged just 5.79 yards per attempt against the Ducks. He and (Terrance) Mitchell again will give the Ducks perhaps the best tandem of CBs in the nation.”
De’Anthony Thomas, kick returner
Miller: “Over the past two seasons, De’Anthony Thomas probably leads the nation in spectacular plays. When he gets the ball, the entire stadium holds its collective breath.”
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