#12- Josh Huff/ Wide Receiver/ Sophomore/ Oregon Ducks
Coming out of Nimitz High School in Houston,Texas, there weren't too many dual threat quarterbacks that showed the flash, skill, and raw play making ability that Huff possesses, which made him a highly touted four star athlete who was coveted by many schools, including hometown TCU, who Huff had been committed to verbally until national signing day, and switched his commitment to sign his Letter of intent the last day to The University of Oregon.
Huff's size (5'11 210 lbs.) and ability or lack thereof throwing the ball at the next level was evident, but head coach Chip Kelly never intended for Huff to be a quarterback. With the play making skills, vertical jump, electric, blazing speed, power, and field vision that the young Texan has, Kelly put him at Wide Receiver and Kick/punt returner to utilize his vision and create space in the open field. Huff played every game in 2010 for the Ducks, making him the only true freshman to see the field for Oregon's offense in all 13 games.
The talented freshman had 1, 086 all purpose yards, including 214 rushing yards on 12 carries (16.5 yards per carry) with 303 yards receiving and 3 touchdowns, mostly in the slot position. Most of the damage caused by Huff was in special teams, as he was magnificent as a kick returner, tallying up 567 yards on 23 returns( 43.6 avg.!!!!). Now that last year's starting wide receivers have graduated, Oregon is looking for Huff to step in to the main flanker role and give the Ducks a deep threat along with a solid presence, making him a go-to-guy.
With the athleticism, and style of offense Oregon runs, I see a big connection in the making with quarterback Darron Thomas and Huff, with the ladder adding skills and attributes that past Oregon receivers have lacked in their game. If the two time defending PAC 10 champions look to three peat, they need Huff to be the All-American caliber player he is breaking out to be.
We will see how he is utilized and how often offensive coordinator/head coach Chip Kelly decides to put the ball in Huff's hands this upcoming season. Either way, Huff is poised to break out and have a monster season in the inaugural year of the PAC-12.
Article: Ronald Hill
Photo: courtesy of zimbio.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment