This year has been different than most Oregon football offseasons.  In my 26 years of existence, I have never been this "committed" to following the Oregon commits.  Usually I will wait until signing day and formulate an opinion about the class then.  This year is different.  But why?

I think it has a lot to do with the success we sniffed this past 2007 season.  If not for that infamous injury we would've been the ones running up and down the field against those Buckeyes.  We would've also had a Heisman Trophy.  We probably wouldn't have cared as much when J-Stew announce he was leaving early.

Also, this year is a different recruiting year.  If you take the best rating from each guy, we do not have a guy lower than a 3-star.  LB Kaddu is a 2-star according to Rivals.com but a 3-star according to Scout.com.  CB Kenjon Barner is a 2-star according to Scout.com and a 3-star according to Rivals.com and the same with QB Kelly Page.  RB LaMichael James is a 2-star guy according to Scout.com and a 4-star according to Rivals.com.  Both recruiting sites have us in the top-25 (tie-#23 on Scout and #19 on Rivals).  All information is based on what is posted on the websites on 1/21/2008.

Not too mention, we are in the running for the #1 recruit in the nation.  Rumor has it he will be in town this weekend and will probably be at the Oregon-USC game at Mac Court.  He is a big time recruit in either football or basketball, and if he decides to play both, he will make both teams better.

Finally, it gives me good news during a basketball season that has been up and down.  It seems like every time we lose a basketball game, another 4-star player commits.  I'm still waiting for that big name guy this week, but it's only Monday.