Tag: Mycah Pittman

Mycah Pittman announces official visit to Arizona State

Former Oregon Ducks WR Mycah Pittman announced that he will be taking an official visit to Arizona State this weekend.

We’ve been wondering where former Oregon Ducks wide receiver Mycah Pittman might end up since he announced his intention to transfer a few weeks ago.

Many people thought that the logical answer would be the USC Trojans since his older brother Michael Pittman went there, and he is from the area. However, Pittman announced on Wednesday that he will be taking his first official visit to Arizona State this weekend.

Of course, the Sun Devils don’t have a game this weekend, since they didn’t make it to the Pac-12 Championship Game, but Pittman will be there to check out the campus anyway.

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10 transfer portal players that would be the best case scenario for Texas

Texas’ dream transfer portal scenario.

Texas has some major holes to fill on their roster for next season, and if they are to have any chance of competing for the Big 12 title, they will need to hit on a handful of transfers.

In this day and age, it is not uncommon for teams to bring in large amounts of players from the transfer portal thanks to the one-time transfer rule that allows for athletes to have a one-time penalty free transfer.

Steve Sarkisian is currently facing the task of revamping a roster that has suffered majorly from the classes of 2018 and 2019 being major busts for the most part, with an overwhelming amount of the players not contributing or no longer with the team.

A successful group of transfers can either make or break a season, as LSU’s most recent championship was led by Ohio State transfer Joe Burrow, and Oklahoma’s playoff appearances were manufactured by three transfers in Baker Mayfield (Texas Tech), Kyler Murray (Texas A&M), and Jalen Hurts (Alabama).

The Longhorns tried to accumulate talent from the transfer portal for this season, and while they did land players who received a lot of playing time, it is fair to say that they did not contribute as much as the team had hoped or needed.

The talent swirling in the portal at the moment is as bountiful as it has ever been, and if Texas can take some big swings and connect on a few of these players, it could be the difference between a Big 12 championship, or another disappointing season.

While it is unlikely that Texas brings in all 10 of these players, this would be the best case scenario for the Longhorns. With Oklahoma looking vulnerable both in recruiting and in terms of keeping their players in Norman, Texas needs to strike now and take advantage of their struggling rival.

All of the players listed below are currently in the transfer portal database, and are not projected to transfer to a particular destination at the moment. There will likely be many more players enter the portal over the coming weeks.

Honorable mentions include LSU cornerback Eli Ricks, who is rated as the top player in the transfer portal, but already has a list of target schools that do not include the Longhorns. The second honorable mention would be Fresno State’s Jake Haener, who is expected to transfer back to Washington with coach Kalen DeBoer who recently accepted the position.

Injuries to Oregon WRs make Mycah Pittman’s departure sting that much more

The loss of Johnny Johnson III and Jaylon Redd is crushing. Having Mycah Pittman leave in the same week makes it hurt even more.

In a matter of 5 days or so, the Oregon Ducks went from having one of the deepest wide receiver rooms in the conference to being desperately in need of any healthy bodies at the position.

On Saturday night, it became clear before the game that senior pass-catchers Johnny Johnson III and Jaylon Redd had not made the trip to Salt Lake City with the team. We had known that JJ3 was dealing with a leg injury after the Washington State game, but Redd’s absence was something new.

After the loss, Mario Cristobal confirmed that both players would be out for the rest of the season with injuries, ending their storied careers with the Ducks.

Without both Johnson and Redd in the lineup, the Ducks are suddenly lacking receivers with experience, especially now that WR Mycah Pittman Jr. has announced that he is leaving the program to focus on his mental health. In the past week, Oregon saw 308 receptions, 3,910 yards, and 33 touchdowns fly out the window.

Here is a list of receivers who are currently seeing a bulk of the playing time for the remainder of the season:

  • Devon Williams (48 career receptions)
  • Dont’e Thornton (4 career receptions)
  • Troy Franklin (11 career receptions)
  • Kris Hutson (21 career receptions)

It’s always tough to lose some of your leaders to a season-ending injury, but Oregon’s now-depleted receiving corps is also frustrating to watch because the loss of Mycah Pittman is still fresh. We don’t know the full details behind the situation. However, it has been discussed that part of his reasoning for leaving the team was due to a lack of targets in the offense, and a desire to find a team that better utilized him. Now, with two of Oregon’s top receivers out of the lineup, Pittman would have had a clear path to the top of the depth chart with a flurry of targets likely coming his way.

I completely respect his decision to leave and make decisions that he feels are best for himself, but the timing is definitely unfortunate.

As the rest of the season comes to a close, the Ducks are going to have to continue to battle these injuries and try to lean on the next-man-up philosophy. That pool of players to keep drawing from is looking pretty shallow, though, at the moment.

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Mario Cristobal confirms Mycah Pittman is leaving the Ducks program

Mario Cristobal confirmed on Wednesday that Mycah Pittman is no longer with the program.

As it turns out, the rumors were true.

There was wide speculation thanks to a post on Tik tok that wide receiver Mycah Pittman had plans on leaving the Oregon Ducks football team with the intention of transferring.

In his weekly in-person meeting with the media, head coach Mario Cristobal confirmed that Pittman is no longer part of the football program.

Once a four-star recruit, Pittman was highly sought after and after narrowing it down to USC and Oregon, he made his decision on coming to Eugene. But once he got here, Pittman was plagued with several different injuries, and finding playing time turned out to be more difficult than thought of.

But it seemed like his injuries were behind him this year as he was in the receivers’ rotation and was the main punter for the Ducks. Pittman had 15 punt returns and averaged just over 10 yards per return.

As the season wore on, however, his playing time at receiver diminished as Devon Williams and Kris Hutson were seeing more snaps. Pittman managed to have 12 catches and averaged just over 16 yards per reception.

 

The Oregon Ducks don’t have a clear-cut WR1, and it’s becoming clear they don’t need one

Four games into the season, the Ducks are yet to identify a leading WR. Fans may see that as a problem, but Oregon is using it as an advantage.

The 2021 season for the Oregon Ducks was initially billed as something that we hadn’t ever seen before in Eugene.

For once, it was going to be the wide receivers that took center stage and proved that Oregon was more than just a school for running backs.

That’s a tough narrative to shake, especially when names like Jonathan Stewart, LaMichael James, Royce Freeman, Kenjon Barner, and Reuben Droughns have all had their say. Even the current backfield of CJ Verdell and Travis Dye would likely tell you otherwise. Nonetheless, a new class of receivers like Troy Franklin and Dont’e Thornton declared in Fall Camp that they wanted to set out and make Oregon known as a wide receiver’s school, and with the help of veteran returners Johnny Johnson III, Jaylon Redd, Mycah Pittman, and Devon Williams, the sentiment that Oregon was going to dominate the passing attack seemed extremely possible.

So now, four weeks into the season, why are we left wondering how good this receiving corp really is, and who the leading man is at the position?

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We don’t have an answer to that question, but it’s hard to find an example of something that is more clear-cut in portraying something that fans care about, and coaches ignore. If I were to try and offer some solace to any Duck fan who is currently troubled about the fact that Oregon doesn’t have a leading receiver at the 1/3 mark in the season, a quote from Brad Pitt in Moneyball quickly comes to mind.

“It’s a problem that you think we need to explain ourselves. Don’t. To anyone.”

Earlier this week, Mario Cristobal was asked about the receiver room at Oregon, and if he could assess where the group was at since they had not exactly found a WR1 thus far. His answer was telling and to the point.

“I think you evaluate every opportunity you have to go win a football game and doing whatever you can to win that game,” Cristobal said. “I think storylines created around anything other than doing whatever is best to win a game from a strategical standpoint is all secondary. We always try to spread the ball around as much as we can because that is effective in helping you win a game. And if you win you really come out of there not having or not trying to have any regrets, you just assess how you can do it better. And that’s really our process. There’s not much focus on creating storylines or anything of that nature. Everything we try to do is for the players for the program and to win the game.”

In coach-speak translation, Cristobal doesn’t give a rat’s you-know-what if one player separates himself from the pack, as long as the group is productive.

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And so far, the WR room has done well in limited work this season. Johnny Johnson III currently leads the team with 10 catches for 148 yards and 1 TD through four games, and freshman Kris Hutson is second on the team with 5 catches for 87 yards. Two other receivers on the team — Jaylon Redd and Dont’e Thornton — have a touchdown each, and a handful of other players have multiple catches on the season.

It may not be the days of old where you have one WR leading the team by a large margin, but the depth doesn’t call for that. So while Dillon Mitchell may have grabbed 75 targets for over 1,000 yards and 10 TD in 2018, while the next highest receiver had just 38 catches, we are unlikely to see that any time soon again in Oregon.

A potential issue that does come up, however, is an unrequited desire for catches. If you have 6-7 receivers vying for catches, all of whom are talented and capable of being a true threat on the offense continually getting overlooked, some unrest can start to develop. There are only so many targets to go around, and in a run-centric offense like the Ducks’ deploy, some mouths are going to be left empty.

“Right now I think we’ve got a hungry group of dogs in our receiver room,” Redd said on Wednesday. “We all have to have a mindset and we kind of emphasize in this mindset that even though we have such a good group of guys, that every limited rep that we get we gotta make the most of it. We got to take that one rep like that’s gonna be the only rep I get all game. So right now we’ve just got to keep our heads up at the same time. Everybody wants the ball, but you can’t be selfish and win games, and that’s gonna help us at the end of the day.”

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There is always going to be competition within position groups, and a coach should want nothing less. We talked earlier this week about the friendly rivalry between Verone McKinley III and Bennett Williams, which has led to them being two of the top interception-getters in the nation.

Fighting over targets is encouraged. What is not, however, is getting down and unfocused when they don’t come your way.

“Whenever there is a pass play called, you should run 100%,” Redd said. “Your best route, give it your all like it’s your last rep that you have all game or all season. That’s how you’ve got to take it, literally like a pitbull that’s never been let off the leash.”

For Anthony Brown, too many mouths to feed is not a bad problem to have. It’s not something he’s unfamiliar with, either. In Brown’s two full seasons with Boston College, it was common to look at the receivers and find the top three options all finish the year within 10-12 catches of one another, often led by Tommy Sweeney, Kobay White, and Jeff Smith.

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So when he came to Oregon and saw the wide array of talent that he was going to be playing with, it had to be enticing.

I asked Brown on Wednesday how great of a feeling it was knowing that any time he dropped back to pass, there was so much talent around him that he could lean on. The Ducks’ QB, who has never been a man of many words, put it simply.

“It’s a blessing, to say the least.”

So while fans may want to look at the Oregon depth chart and be able to pick out a guy that they feel confident will explode each and every week, hauling in six catches for 90-plus yards and a touchdown, don’t get your hopes up.

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The Ducks’ depth allows them to be versatile, and their ability to spread the ball around keeps a defense honest and true, forcing them to defend every pass-catcher on the field.

It may not be flashy or sell jerseys in the end, but it’s effective and productive.

It’s a ‘problem’ that Mario Cristobal doesn’t feel that he needs to explain to anyone. And he isn’t.

Instead, he’s letting the winning do the talking.

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First half reaction: Thibodeaux, Duck defense means business

The Ducks lead 21-13 at the half. Tim DeRuyter’s aggressive defense was on full display, but the offense left fans wanting more.

The Oregon Ducks enter the half leading Fresno State by a score of 21-13. Here are our instant reactions from the first half:

Aggressive Duck defense on full display: When Tim DeRuyter was hired away from California to be the Oregon defensive coordinator, one of the first things he said was that he wanted the Ducks to force a lot of turnovers. If the first quarter against Fresno State was any indication, it’s going to be a very fun season.

Kayvon Thibodeaux got things rolling on the Bulldogs’ second possession when he came from the blindside and nailed quarterback Jake Haener, causing a fumble and giving the Ducks the ball at the 3-yard line where they quickly turned into their first touchdown on the season.

Not to be outdone, Noah Sewell managed to strip tailback Ronnie Rivers of the ball on Fresno State’s next possession. Oregon again quickly scored to make it 14-0 midway through the first quarter.

Brown and the offense could have been better: If you take out the two possessions where the defense gave the offense a short field to work with, the offense wasn’t that impressive. There wasn’t much of a down-the-field passing game until towards the end of the second quarter when Brown found Johnny Johnson III for a 31-yard touchdown. But before that, Fresno State’s front four dominated the Duck offensive line, which is not a good sign heading into the Ohio State game next week.

Mycah Pittman showing he can be a factor: There weren’t many opportunities for the receivers to make plays, but when Brown did find time to throw the ball, Pittman seemed to be his go-to guy. Pittman ended the first half catching three of Brown’s five completions for 40 yards. Considering his career has been plagued by injuries, it’s nice to see Pittman be a factor in Joe Moorhead’s offense.

Oregon holds a slim 21-13 halftime lead over the Bulldogs.

Ducks Depth Chart Preview: Special teams can be special with starters running the show

Oregon special teams will consist of several first-stringers with speed and talent making them even more dangerous for opponents.

It used to be that the special teams were made up of second and third stringers, mostly freshmen, looking to participate on the field in any way they possibly can.

Oregon is looking to throw that notion in the garbage.

The Ducks special teams are going to consist of offensive and defensive starters looking to make that much of a difference that could turn a loss into a win thanks to either better field position or explosion plays.

Players such as starting wide receivers Mycah Pittman and Johnny Johnson III will be returning punts and kickoffs, respectively. Mykael Wright has already shown his explosion capabilities as a kick returner (ask USC) and while there is still a competition or the top kicking spot between Henry Katleman and Camden Lewis, we can at least have confidence that the Ducks have a solid option there.

But Oregon does have other world-class athletes who can pick up the slack if Pittman and/or Johnson need a break. Jaylen Redd has experience in the return game, as does Kris Hutson. Freshman Seven McGee’s speed and ability to shift through players also make him a candidate to see some time as a returner as well.

Here is our projection for the depth chart at the start of the season:

Ducks Depth Chart Preview: Experienced wide receiver group buoyed by talent-rich freshman class

With a solid mix of experienced veterans and high-ceiling freshmen, the Ducks are stacked at the WR position going into 2021 season.

If your goal is to find the position group with the most depth and the highest ceiling on the Oregon Ducks roster, it’s hard to look past the wide receivers.

With a trio of veteran players ready to lead the group, plus a couple of true freshmen that could potentially emerge as the most talented players on the field, the Ducks will likely have no problems with the passing game this season, assuming that quarterback Anthony Brown is all that we expect him to be.

Spread across three positions, we can expect a lot of rotating for Oregon as they look to stay fresh and get all of their talents on the field. So how will the depth chart fill out across the board? Here’s our prediction, with a breakdown of each player.

‘The man is a gunslinger:’ Mycah Pittman compares Anthony Brown’s arm strength to Justin Herbert

Mycah Pittman didn’t hold back talking about QB Anthony Brown, who he says has arm strength comparable to Justin Herbert.

Anyone who knows the strengths of Justin Herbert’s game will tell you that his arm strength is among the best in the league, and with a runaway Offensive Rookie of the Year award under his belt, that was put on full display in 2020.

While Herbert was showing out on the big stage, the Oregon Ducks had to take a slight step backward in quarterback play, where they struggled, switching between both Tyler Shough and Anthony Brown.

Things seem to be changing, though. On Wednesday, wide receiver Mycah Pittman, who caught passes from all three aforementioned passers, compared Brown to Herbert when it comes to arm strength.

Pittman is no stranger to catching rifled passes on the outside, and if he’s impressed with Brown’s ability to sling the rock, we have to take his word for it.

Of course, being a standout quarterback is much more than just throwing the ball hard. You have to understand the offense, dissect the defense, make your reads, and show up when the pressure is on. We don’t yet know how profound Brown will be when it comes to all of that, but it’s become clear that all of the physical traits of a steller quarterback are there.

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With Anthony Brown and Mycah Pittman, a QB-WR connection is forming between two veterans

Entering the first year together, Pittman and Brown have been working hard to form a QB-WR connection on and off the field.

The dream for any veteran college wide receiver is to make it through your career at school and build a strong bond with your quarterback, cemented over several seasons together with far more highs than lows.

For Oregon’s Mycah Pittman, who is entering his third season with the Ducks, that hasn’t been possible. After catching passes from both Justin Herbert and Tyler Shough in his first to years at Oregon, Pittman will once again be asked to connect with a new QB, this time Anthony Brown Jr.

Pittman was able to see Brown come into the program a year ago, and while a COVID-riddled season shook things up, the two have been able to form a bond over the past year. It didn’t happen easily, though. Pittman said on Wednesday that the two had to work on it, and are continuing to do so on and off the field.

“It’s really hard, connections with quarterbacks have to be built. It’s not just going to happen overnight,” Pittman said after Wednesday’s practice. “Getting a lot of reps with him, he’s knowing where I’m at. He also wakes up pretty early with me and will hop in the film room at 6:30 and we’ll just break down things together. I’m telling him what I’m gonna give him today and what I have in my arsenal today. So he’s always willing to listen to me, and I’m always willing to listen to him.”

Fortunately for both players, they’ve been able to enjoy a full offseason together, fit with both spring and fall camp to develop a relationship. There is a deep stable of receivers on the Oregon roster, fit with both veteran options and a couple of true freshmen that might make waves this season in Troy Franklin and Dont’e Thronton.

One of the main attractions, though, is going to be the connection between No. 13 and No. 4. When Pittman has been healthy, he’s capable of being one of the best receivers on the roster. Health has always been an issue, though, with only 11 games played over the past two seasons.

“I’m just focused. This is my third year and it’s time to get ready,” Pittman said. “Injuries are over with for me, I’m just, like I said, I’m ready to go and I feel great. I’ve been super locked in going over film and whatever I can do, the little things that will get me open and help me catch the ball. All of these things, just whatever it takes.”

Health is the key, but if Pittman can stay on the field and display this connection with Brown over the next few months, there’s no telling how dynamic this Oregon offense can be.

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