Sharing a last name with one of the most famous players to put on a Ducks uniform is definitely a pressure-packed spot to be in, but for redshirt freshman Patrick Herbert, the stove isn’t likely to be too hot.
His 2020 season was cut short due to an injury, but the younger brother of Justin Herbert has bounced back and is ready to write his own story with the Ducks this year, hoping to carry on the family name and have an impact on the offense.
“It was great to see Patrick bounce back because Patrick is a guy we all know is going to be a really good football player,” head coach Mario Cristobal said after Saturday’s scrimmage. “You can coach him hard and he responds and he’s continued to develop and grow.”
Herbert has played in just a single game in his college career, but the high school standout came to Oregon as a 4-star recruit from Sheldon High School as the consensus top-ranked TE in the state.
Alongside him is Spencer Webb, who is also coming back from an injury last season that saw a promising season ended early. The 6-foot-6, 240-pound tight end had 209 yards and three touchdowns in 2019, and he projects to be one of the top guys at that position this season.
“Losing (Webb) last year was something that really hurt us offensively. It’s good to see him have a really good spring as well,” Cristobal said.
While the return of both Herbert and Webb are helpful, it will still likely be a combo of Cam McCormick and DJ Johnson at the top of the depth chart. McCormick has had an injury-riddled career at Oregon, but he’s shown flashes of talent that give us hope for eventual production.
Health has played a significant role at this position for the Ducks over the past several years, unfortunately, but we may now be in a position where a knick or a bruise won’t tank the spot as a whole. Any one of these guys can step up when called upon and will have Oregon’s receiving group clicking on all gears.
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