Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Oregon Football: 5 freshman Ducks who’ll make a splash in 2019

By Justin Heisey

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 31: The Oregon Ducks celebrate defeating the Michigan State Spartans 7-6 in the Redbox Bowl at Levi's Stadium on December 31, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 31: The Oregon Ducks celebrate defeating the Michigan State Spartans 7-6 in the Redbox Bowl at Levi's Stadium on December 31, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

5. Josh Delgado, Wide Receiver

Most of the buzz around Oregon this offseason that wasn’t about Justin Herbert was focused on Dillon Mitchell. Mitchell finished the season up the 2018 season with 1,184 receiving yards, topping Oregon’s previous single-season receiving record formerly held by Josh Huff in 2013. Although the loss of Mitchell is significant, this is not why I bring up IMG Academy’s Josh Delgado.

The losses that come into play for Delgado to make his mark early are that of Ugo Amadi and Tony Brooks-James in the return game. Although neither had the returning abilities of De’Anthony Thomas or Kenjon Barner, they led in Kick off and Punt return yards last season and the Ducks need someone to step up and take over one or both of these roles.

While Junior Wide-Receiver Jaylon Redd has some experience at kick returner, Dillon Mitchell was the second string punt returner and that job is wide open. The best guys for these sorts of positions are guys with a ton of speed and plenty of elusiveness and that’s exactly what you see in Josh Delgado’s high school tape.

Delgado played high school ball for St. John Bosco High School in California before trecking across the States to play for IMG in Florida. He has killer top speed and made most of his plays in high school because defensive backs couldn’t catch up quick enough. He’s also great in space and makes defenders miss left and right as he puts another six points on the board. Delgado also served as a return man at IMG on both kicks and punts and even finished his career with a single carry that went for 28 yards… Not Bad. Expect Delgado to make an impact on special teams in his first year back on the West Coast.

Home/Oregon Ducks