This week, we'll be looking at recruiting "what ifs" for each of the Pac-12 programs. During the recruiting process there are plenty of twists and turns, with prospects committing, decommitting and flipping to other programs. This series looks at how the 2015 season will be affected -- as well as could have been affected -- by recruiting flips at the high school and junior college level, as well as transfers to and from each program.
Past programs covered:
Next up: Oregon
The Oregon Ducks have flashed plenty of recruiting muscle following their ascension to the top of the Pac-12. It began in the 2011 class, with one of the most surprising and impactful recruiting flips of all time, when Oregon was able to sway former USC commit De'Anthony Thomas in the days leading up to signing day. While Thomas' impact -- and the Ducks' ability to poach the top talent from Southern California -- will be felt for the foreseeable future, it's several other recruiting flips that will have a tremendous impact on Oregon's ability to defend its conference title this fall.
Impactful additions:
If everything goes to plan this fall, quarterback Vernon Adams could have his own category here. Though he's a transfer and not strictly a prep or junior college recruiting win, perhaps no player -- especially one who flipped programs -- will have more of an impact on the Pac-12 race this fall. If Adams does indeed take over the starting quarterback spot for the Ducks and leads them to a National Championship, he'll be worth every effort the Oregon coaches put toward bringing him into the program.
Though Adams won't be the only impact offensive player who fits into the flip category. After missing the 2014 season due to injury, the Ducks are looking forward to getting wide receiver Bralon Addison back on the field this fall. The work to get Addison on the field in Eugene began prior to his signing day, as Addison was a one-time commitment to Oklahoma State, but entered signing day committed to Texas A&M before making a late flip to Oregon.
Sticking with the passing game, there's no guarantee when Oregon will get tight end Pharaoh Brown back on the field following a devastating leg injury last fall. But if Brown can make it back to contribute in 2015, the Ducks can thank two efforts -- Brown's phenomenal recovery from the injury as well as their own push during his recruiting process to reel him in after he decommitted from Michigan.
Offensive lineman Cameron Hunt made himself at home in the starting lineup early in his Oregon career, but he likely would have stuck with his original commitment and would be leading the Cal offensive line right now if former Golden Bears -- now Arizona Wildcats -- offensive line coach Jim Michalczik was still in Berkeley.
Defensively, the linebacker position will be bolstered by Torrodney Prevot -- a signing day flip from USC -- and Danny Mattingly, who was one committed to Notre Dame. While Oregon hasn't had overwhelming success recruiting the position of late, those two flips could be instrumental in how the Ducks defense performs this year.
A defensive position the Ducks have had success with recently is cornerback, but if Chris Seisay holds onto the starting spot he grabbed when Ifo Ekpre-Olomu went down with an injury last year, the Ducks will appreciate the fact that Seisay backed away from his original commitment to Boise State during his recruitment.
Impactful misses:
Very few prospects have had second thoughts about their commitments to Oregon over the past few seasons, but Pac-12 opponents are likely still emitting sighs of relief that running back Dontre Wilson flipped from Oregon to Ohio State at the very end of his recruiting process. Wilson is averaging more than seven yards per carry in two years with the Buckeyes and would have been a scary addition to the Ducks dynamic offensive players, including Royce Freeman and Byron Marshall -- and especially as a replacement for Thomas Tyner following his injury.
On the opposite side of the ball, it's tough to imagine that Budda Baker wouldn't have grabbed a starting spot -- or at least an impact position in the rotation -- had he continued through with his Oregon commitment. Instead, Baker flipped to Washington late in the process and started every game for the Huskies as a true freshman.