Eastern Washington transfer Vernon Adams was forced to join Oregon football's fall camp late due to having to finish his class load up at EWU this summer -- a less-than-ideal situation which could push Adams back in the team's QB competition. However, whether Adams sits early or not, we have a feeling he'll see significant on-field time at some point in Oregon's 2015 season. With that in mind, here's 3 things you need to know about the Ducks' new quarterback.
His Height Shut Him Out Of The FBS To Start
It wasn't disciplinary issues or a talent deficiency which banished Adams to the FCS with no stars from any major recruiting service (and only two scholarships altogether, both from FCS schools). It was the fact that he's just six-feet-tall and no major program was ready to take a scholarship chance on him with that in the back of their minds. However, the times are slowly changing and Adams' athleticism alone makes him a unique and near-perfect fit for Oregon's athletes-first offensive philosophy.
The Legend Of Adams Follows Him To Eugene
In 2013, Adams went absolutely bonkers -- tallying 4,994 passing yards and 55 touchdowns in his redshirt sophomore season. The highlight of that massive 2013 campaign was a Week 1 whipping of then-#25 Oregon State in Corvallis where Adams accounted for 518 of the team's 620 total yards in a 49-46 upset of the Beavers. One year later, Adams was just as impressive in Seattle. He shredded the Washington defense for 475 passing yards and seven touchdowns, and while EWU couldn't seal the upset, he once again sent his stock skyrocketing with a banner performance against an FBS team. Oregon noticed.
The Ducks Beat Out Some Name Programs For Adams' Transfer
According to Andrew Grief of The Oregonian, both UCLA and Texas made a run at Adams during the transfer process. However, Adams' decision came down to staying at Eastern Washington or his eventual decision to move to Oregon.
"This was the hardest decision of my life," Adams told Grief. "I just thought this would be a great opportunity for my family and myself to accomplish things that I've been dreaming about since I was little.
"Heisman, national championship, playing at the Rose Bowl and playing at Oregon. I love it here at Eastern, but this is what I've been dreaming about."
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