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Oregon Football: 5 storylines to follow during 2018 spring ball

By Justin Dottavio

EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 18: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Oregon Ducks passes the ball as defensive end Jack Banda #92 of the Arizona Wildcats applies pressure during the second half of the game at Autzen Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks won the game 48-28. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 18: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Oregon Ducks passes the ball as defensive end Jack Banda #92 of the Arizona Wildcats applies pressure during the second half of the game at Autzen Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks won the game 48-28. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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2. What if Justin Herbert stays healthy?

The Oregon offense has been driven by Justin Herbert when he’s in the football game. Herbert has all of the tools NFL scouts drool over, except the fact that he’s been injury prone since taking over as the Ducks’ quarterback.

Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 225 pounds, Herbert has NFL size. His accuracy, decision-making and arm strength are all positives. Herbert can even move as the former three-star passer ran for 4.2 yards per carry in 2017 with five rushing touchdowns as well. Herbert threw for 1,900 yards and 15 touchdowns with only five interceptions for Taggart’s offense in 2017. His yards per attempt was also ridiculously high at 9.63. When he was in at quarterback the Ducks were 6-2 and without him the backups were 1-4.

If Herbert can stay healthy Oregon has the potential to put up major points in 2018. However if he’s injured once again, the Ducks’ offense could falter without Royce Freeman to carry it. The other quarterbacks on the roster are Braxton Burmeister who was forced into action as a true freshman.

Burmeister threw two touchdowns with six interceptions and only 4.29 yards per attempt. Burmeister was a main cog in the 1-4 slump for the Ducks in 2017. 2018 recruit Tyler Shough is an early enrollee and the 6-foot-5 Arizona quarterback was his home state’s top rated prospect. It will take a lot for Shough to beat out Herbert, but he may be the most viable backup behind Herbert in 2018.

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