Ross Douglas Talks Oregon WR Competition, Losing Evan Stewart: “Football’s
Wide receiver is another position that is dealing with a lot of turnover at Oregon heading into the 2025 season. Ross Douglas signed up with Dan Lanning’s personnel after coming by from Syracuse and he’ll have a mix of veterans and second-year players to work with in Will Stein’s offense.
He consulted with reporters in Eugene following Friday’s fall camp practice and below are some of his top quotes.
On effect of losing Evan Stewart
Douglas: “Football’s a next man up game. Injuries are the regrettable part of this game. Evan Stewart’s a terrific player, however everybody takes a look at the player that we lost. I take a look at the young man that we lost. He was a kid who remained in my workplace every early morning at 6AM curious about how he might get better, studying other college receivers who are around his very same physique and capability. So I miss out on that part about him, more so than the player. However he’s around, he remains in our centers, he remains in the conference room. But football’s a next male up game. And a great deal of guys are gon na get the chance to step up and be able to do their thing.”
On what he’s seen from Malik Benson, his skillset
Douglas: “I believe Malik’s a kid, since he’s been here, he got here a little before I did, but throughout the spring and now in training camp I think he’s gotten better every single day. He includes a speed element to our offense and he can do a great deal of things. He can short to intermediate and deep paths. He’s an older guy. He’s really played 787 snaps in his career in between Florida State and Alabama. So a guy who’s played a lot of football. His journey’s type of been a little rocky, ups and downs– Alabama, JUCO, Florida State, and now he’s here at Oregon. He’ll be a favorable factor to this group and I enjoy working with him everyday.”
On what Gary Bryant Jr. indicates to the receiver space
Douglas: “GB implies a lot. Not just to the receiver space, but to myself. He’s a guy, once again, played a great deal of football, was hurt last year. I believe he didn’t play extremely muhc in 2015. He did in 2023 and he played 2 years at USC. So he’s played a lot football again and he’s a guy who’s done it. He’s seen it. He’s played in the Pac-12, he’s played a little bit in the Big 10, and now he’s a guy with a lot of experience. He knows how to practice. He’s the exact same guy each and every single day. Every morning I awaken, I take a look at GB, I know precisely what I’m gon na get. That’s never ever gon na change with him, so it’s just consistency and the professionalism that is very crucial to myself as a coach and to our space. ‘Cause they can admire him and see he does whatever right. He does it the proper way and sort of follow his lead.”
On what makes Dakorien Moore different from other real freshmen he’s coached
Douglas: “I believe Kori, once again, I simply believe the wish to and the desire to be an excellent football player. I think it’s there. He’s gotten better as training school’s went on and truly ever since he’s been on campus. He’s a fantastic kid, really curious, wants to be excellent, practices hard, really competitive. He’s gon na be an extremely, great player for Oregon and hopefully he contributes a lot this year.”
On development of Dillon Gresham, Jeremiah McClellan
Douglas: “I see two young players who are getting a lot much better. Weight space’s like coach Love, I know his weight staff, they’ve done a heck of a job with ’em. I think Dillon Gresham’s among our greatest receivers. Jmac, he’s enhanced his play design. He’s playing more aggressive, more physical and really more positive. But I believe confidence has actually been essential for both of those guys. They were redshirted in 2015. I understand Jmac can be found in, he had actually hurt his foot. And both of ’em redshirted in 2015, kind of got a great deal of representatives on the scout team. But they’re more positive players now and it’s showing on the practice field.”
On philosophy of turning players, the number of he desires in a roation
Douglas: “Me, I’m not scared to turn guys. If they can play winning football and assist Oregon win games every Saturday, then they’re gon na play. Whether that’s three individuals, whether that’s 7 people. It doesn’t matter the number. I will turn you therein. If you can help us win, you’re gon na play.”