Oregon Football: 5 reasons Ducks will win 2017 national title

4. Justin Herbert takes next step in development at quarterback

After Marcus Mariota graduated following his 2014 Heisman season and the loss to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff championship, Oregon has cycled through several quarterbacks. Mark Helfrich went the FCS transfer route in 2015 with Eastern Washington’s Vernon Adams Jr. Though Adams dealt with injuries, the tactic was largely successful. Doubling down, Helfrich tried again in 2016 with Montana State’s Dakota Prukop.

Prukop was not necessarily bad, throwing for 1,214 yards with eight touchdowns and only two interceptions in six games. But by October, he was firmly supplanted as the starter by freshman Justin Herbert. Thrown to the wolves against Washington in his first college start, Herbert was decent against a tough Huskies defense.

Though he went just 2-5 as a starter in his first season, the Eugene native asserted himself as the best hope for his hometown team’s future. Herbert threw for nearly 2,000 yards in just over a half-season of work, with 19 touchdowns and four interceptions. Though he is not a dual-threat quarterback, Herbert did scramble for two touchdowns on the ground.

Losing Darren Carrington II could be a blessing in disguise. A younger receiving corps will get the chance to earn valuable reps that will translate to success in 2017 and beyond. A healthier Freeman will also allow Herbert to keep defenses off balance better. With more confidence entering his sophomore year, Oregon’s young quarterback is going to quickly evolve into one of the Pac-12’s best passers.