He’s announcing tomorrow morning and they may not get him, because a dozen elite schools have him at the top of their board. But Dwayne Stanford II is the type of target Oregon’s quarterback needed on the final drive on Saturday night.
Stanford is 6-4, 185, out of Taft High School in Cincinnati, a rangy, physical receiver with good hands, marvelous ball skills and playmaking ability. He caught 44 passes for 865 yards and nine touchdowns as a prep junior, has 4.5 speed and a 3.6 GPA. He has a 35-inch vertical leap, was named to the roster for both the Under Armour and Army All-American games, a high school basketball player whose team made the state final last season. The basketball ability shows in the way he competes for the ball, like a rebound.
Six minutes of highlight film will convince you he is a smart, tough football player who’d be a tremendous fit in the Oregon system.
Photo left: Dwayne Stanford II, a bright kid with an infectious smile and awesome ability–born to be a Duck. (espngo.com photo).
If the Ducks had had a target on the field like him, 1st and 10 on the eighteen with 20 seconds left, the outcome of the USC game might have been different.
From 2007-2010, the Ducks had Jeff Maehl to make the big catch on third downs or to spark a comeback with a great play. Stanford has the same tenacity and clutch ability, in a big receiver’s body. He has offers from Ohio State, Cincinnati, Michigan, Michigan State, Alabama, Notre Dame and LSU among many others. Multiple reports suggest he is down to home state schools Cincinnati and tOSU, and Oregon.
He was on the sidelines in Autzen Stadium Saturday night, and is scheduled to announce tomorrow, along with teammate Aldolphus Washington, a 6-6, 5-star defensive end.
Scouting notes:
A physical receiver with great hands and good body control. Catches the ball well in a crowd and uses his range and size beautifully. A playmaker who drives off the ball takes the ball in smoothly and accelerates to make the most out of play after the catch. Positions himself extremely well on jump balls, like a basketball forward. Smooth. Plays with confidence and loves to score touchdowns.
Very athletic runner, dangerous on the hooks, screens and slants. Runs upfield and sheds tackles, yards after the catch and after contact. An extremely productive receiver who moves the chains, reliable hands. Good adjustments to the ball and excellent concentration.
Immediate comparison (similar frame) would be to Lavasier Tuinei but Stanford appears quicker and more agile in space, potentially a high volume, impact receiver who abuses one-on-one coverage. Very dangerous as a red zone target with his size, body control and timing in isolation.
Will not only contribute big time in the offense, but his presence on the practice field will make his team’s cornerbacks better, testing their matchup skills in the end zone and competing for the ball. Will simulate the best receivers in the conference very well, soon to become one himself.
Grades and statistical accomplishments indicate drive and a tremendous work ethic. Comes down with the ball, a Jeff Maehl-like tenacity with big receiver size, a clutch, go-to guy who loves to make a play, can be counted on in a big game or a crucial situation, the leader at wideout the Ducks were missing Saturday.
Operates out of a highly successful spread offense in high school, so the basics of the system should come easily to him. Will benefit from the college training table and strength program and may become a matchup nightmare, an equalizer against the conference’s top teams.
Looks very comfortable over the middle and finding soft spots in zone coverage, in synch with his quarterback, makes a comforting, reliable target and establishes a high trust factor. Not afraid of contact and senses the defenders very well, knows where he is on the field, terrific reflexes and anticipation.
Drives off the line very well and gets the most out of each reception, can also protect his body and the ball when surrounded. Makes the play and sets up the next one, moving the chains. A weapon on third downs and must-score situations. Takes the ball over his shoulder with great rhythm and natural athletic ability, doesn’t fight it, isn’t bothered or thrown off by a bump or hand-fighting.
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