Transfer Vernon Adams to Start for Oregon

Vernon Adams has been named the starting quarterback for the Oregon Ducks as they make final preparations for their opening game of the season next week.

Adams is an FCS All-American, who joined the Ducks the nation’s No. 7 ranked team only two weeks ago. He was declared eligible after he passed his math class he needed in order to graduate at Eastern Washington.

Last season Jeff Lockie backed up Marcus Mariota the winner of the Heisman Trophy and now with the NFL’s Tennessee Titans. However, Adams takes the top spot to begin the season.

Adams comes to Oregon after receiving numerous accolades at Eastern Washington. While there, he was name the Offensive Player of the Year in the Big Sky Conference twice, had 10,438 passing yards and 110 touchdown passes during three seasons.

Ironically, the Ducks open their season on September 5 against none other than Adams’ former team Eastern Washington.

Under rules in the NCAA, Adams needed to complete undergraduate courses to be able to transfer to Oregon. Rules allow a player with eligibility who has already graduated to transfer without having to miss an entire season.

Adams will have big shoes to fill at Oregon. Mariota set a single-season Pac-12 record for touchdowns with 58, which included 42 touchdown passes, 15 rushing and one receiving. He led the Ducks to the College Football Playoff championship game where they lost to Ohio State.

Last season, Adams had 3,483 passing yards with 35 touchdown passes. He was the Player of the Year in the FCS and second for the Walter Payton Award.

Adams came under the spotlight thanks to strong games he had against opponents in the Pac-12. In 2013, versus Oregon State, Adams threw for 411 yards with 4 touchdown passes. He added 107 yards on the ground and another 2 touchdowns.

Last season, Adams had 475 yards passing with 7 touchdowns against Washington in a 59-52 loss.

This past February he announced his intention to leave Eastern Washington and transfer to Oregon.

The Ducks ended their fall preseason camp this past Thursday. On Friday, the team released its depth chart. Players did not practice on the field Friday and were not made available to speak to the press.

No comment was made about the depth chart, by Mark Helfrich the head coach for the Ducks. Adams has been kept off limits by the team to the media since August 13 when he officially joined the Ducks.

It is expected that Adams will speak publicly for the first time following Oregon’s first game next Saturday against Eastern Washington.