In a move that can’t come as much of a surprise to anyone, Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota has officially declared for the 2015 NFL draft.
After meeting with my family I have decided to forego my final year of eligibility and apply for the 2015 NFL Draft,” the Heisman winner said. “My four years at the University of Oregon have been an awesome experience. I cannot thank Coach Kelly, Coach Helfrich, Coach Frost, the rest of the Oregon coaches and the support staff enough for molding me as a person, player and student-athlete.
A three-year starter in Eugene, Mariota completed the 2014 season with over 5,200 total yards and 57 touchdowns in 15 games. He led Oregon to both the PAC 12 Championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff National Championship game before falling against Ohio State on Monday night. Mariota’s performance was good enough to earn him the school’s first Heisman Trophy.
He finishes his Oregon career with 136 total touchdowns compared to 14 interceptions in 41 games.
Mariota’s decision was one that we saw coming prior to the start of the 2014 campaign. He’s considered the top quarterback in a draft class that’s not necessarily one of the most-talented in recent history. As a likely top-five pick, Mariota didn’t have much to prove by returning to Oregon for his senior season.
It’s been an honor to watch Marcus develop over the last four years, and I’m excited to see what his future holds,” UO coach Mark Helfrich said. “He’s given this program everything we could have asked, and he’ll be the standard by which others are judged. Mahalo.
Helfrich took the reigns of the Ducks program after Chip Kelly bolted for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013. In doing so, he was able to create a strong relationship with the now former Oregon signal caller. In an interesting turn, Kelly, who coached Mariota in 2011 (red-shirt season) and 2012, now has full control over player personnel in Philadelphia. It will be interesting to see if the Eagles move up in an attempt to draft Kelly’s former college quarterback.
Photo: USA Today