They’re kids. Having worked hard since Peewees for their big moment, you can’t blame them if they have some fun with it and get a little theatrical.
It was the ESPN national broadcast of The Opening, live last night from the Nike Campus in Beaverton, and Arrion Springs was up second in a series of five verbal commitment announcements, interspersed throughout the telecast of the 7-on-7 competition.
“I be attending the University…” pausing to build the moment, Springs did a double juke, reaching for the Longhorn hat before putting a Duck lid atop his neatly cropped hair, a small smile coming to his lips, “…of Oregon.”
After that, it was yes sir, no sir and thank you. He said he chose the Ducks because he felt a connection to the coaches, and he liked the scenery out here.
Photo right: Springs approached his recruitment with maturity and determination, and he plays the same way (247sports.com photo).
Despite the concomitant apoplexy, hysteria and hyperbole, the Will Lyles/Chip Kelly Texas connection continues to pay dividends for the Ducks. Arrion Springs is a 6-0, 195-pound defensive back from Roosevelt High in San Antonio, rated a four-star prospect by all the major services, the number 44 recruit in the country according to ESPN, one of the top dozen defensive backs in the country.
Springs ran a 4.44 40 at The Opening. Oregon defensive backs coach John Neal has sent Jairus Byrd, Walter Thurmond, Patrick Chung, and T.J. Ward to the NFL in recent years, with current stars Ifo Ekpre-Olomu and Terrance Mitchell highly likely to follow next spring or the year after. Springs, along with holdovers like Troy Hill, Erick Dargan and Dior Mathis, and a promising group of underclassmen including Oshay Dunmore, Reggie Daniels and the Amoako brothers (also from Texas) will form the Duck secondary of the future. The future looks a lot like the present: a lot of big hits, big plays and takeaways.
Though at least 30 colleges wanted the Texas speedster, including a fierce late push by Mack Brown and Texas, he leaned to the Ducks throughout his recruitment. Springs had 75 tackles on a 2-8 Roosevelt squad as a sophomore. He emerged as a major college prospect in his junior season with 64 tackles, 4 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries and 5 tackles for loss. The Roughriders finished 9-3, making the playoffs for the first time in 10 years.
In their first playoff game against New Braunfels, Springs picked off two passes. The Roughriders drew Texas powerhouse Steele High of Cibolo in the second round, losing 45-0. Springs, though, had 7 tackles, two for loss, an intense effort even in a lopsided game.
He’s a perfect fit for the fast, athletic style of defense the Ducks favor, and his highlight tape shows the kind of out-on-the-island courage and competitiveness Neal and Nick Aliotti demand in their secondary. Resilient, mature and determined, he’s the top-rated pick among the Webfoots’ seven verbal commitments, a big get that can build momentum in the class as The Opening and the summer recruiting season continues.
Scouting notes:
Play 1 busts through the right side of the line to block an extra point. Strong, quick and physical, here on a play many players take off as a routine play. An effort guy. Takes a good route to the ball, smothering the kick as it leaves the kicker’s foot. A very smart football play, extraordinary effort.
Play 2 Pass route from shotgun, opponent at own 38, spread formation with twins right, slot left. Quarterback scrambles out of the pocket left and heaves long down left sideline to Springs’ side. Finds the ball and goes after it at its highest point. A safety’s vision and mentality. Comes down with the int. Needs a little work on his footwork. This ball was thrown short and returnable for a big play. But he came up with a turnover, and that’s huge.
Play 3 Opponent pinned deep, Springs at a deep safety in a prevent formation, 15 yards off the ball just after the snap. Reads and recognizes a hook route and comes charging up. Ball is high and wide and he alertly comes off the receiver and springs for the interception, returns to the 15. A good football play–some guys, once they draw a bead on a receiver, don’t react as readily to the ball. Good ball skills and vision. Tends to cradle the ball to his chest; must develop more softness and flexibility in his hands. With his speed, instincts and reaction time, he can make a lot of big plays. Great fit for what John Neal likes and teaches in his defensive backs. Always competing.
Play 4 Spread formation in the red zone, ball on the left hash at the 12. Quarterback fakes the quick throw/bubble screen right, then goes up top , fade route in the corner. Springs gets great position inside the receiver with his eyes up, a good relationship to the opponent, the sideline and the ball. Goes up high with the receiver, taking the ball at its highest point again, and comes down with the ball. GREAT COMPETITIVE INSTINCTS, winning a 1-on-1 battle on an island. Despite his aggressive nature he didn’t bite on the fake, adjusting quickly and getting back in the right place. Forget what I said about his hands. This is a big-time play, an Ifo/T-Mitch/Jairus Byrd kind of play.
Play 5 Again in the red zone, quarterback scrambling right under pressure. Throws a jump ball in the right corner of the end zone, and Springs has perfect position, shielding the receiver from the ball. He leaps and goes 102 yards for the score. Great timing on the leap, good body control. Very poised to see a play like that happening and not get the big eyes. Stays coordinated and in rhythm, doesn’t rush the play, times his route to the ball and finishes. Very physical and athletic defensive back. A 6-0, 195 he’ll has the flexibility to play all 5 positions in the secondary, the speed, physicality, athleticism and leaping ability to match up against a variety of receivers in a conference loaded with good ones. Has the speed to cover wideouts, the agility to cover tailbacks, and the courage and competitiveness to take on a tight end or a big receiver. Plays strong and aggressive. Fearless on the island, which is demanded of Duck d-backs often in a high risk/high reward, aggressive, blitzing style of defense.
Play 6 A double move route down the left sideline, and Springs gets his hips turned and stays with the receiver beautifully. Love how he is always aware of the ball. Great head and eyes. None of the deer-in-the-headlights confusion out there, looking like a fool as the completion goes over his back shoulder. Tremendous instincts. Battles every play, doesn’t give up on a ball.
Play 7 Probably the best athlete on his high school team, he’s lined up at quarterback now and takes a keeper quickly around the left side. No one can catch him. Great training for a safety to spend time at quarterback. John Boyett did so in high school. Teaches them to see the whole field and understand everyone’s responsibility. Has confidence and trust in his speed, two crucial qualities for a cornerback/safety in a pass-happy conference.
Play 8 I formation, Springs lined up close. Play action pass. Springs blitzes, sheds a block quickly and runs down the quarterback like a cheetah devouring an antelope. Hard aggressive tackler. Wraps up and brings him to the ground.
Play 9 Red zone, spread formation, Springs in bump-and-run coverage on the z receiver. Outside running play. He eludes the block and stuffs it, coming up hard. Has a little TJ Ward in him. Loves to hit, and if he gains 10-15 pounds in the exceptional Oregon conditioning program, with that speed and physicality, he could have a very bright future at every level of football.
Play 10 An inside running play that gets to the second level, and Springs as the safety is 1-on-1 in open space against a fast, shifty tailback. He squares up and drives him backward. Will put some dents and scratches on a lot of helmets, even those fancy new shiny gold ones the Huskies just instagrammed.
A very mature body–he’s cut, sculpted, built like a 21-year-old in his physical maturity. Already has good work habits and a fierce determination to develop his considerable athletic gifts. A very bright prospect who is highly likely to contribute early and start multiple years at the college level. Projects strongest at safety, but would not back down at any defensive position, nickle, rover, cover guy.
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