CLASS IMPACT: JacQawn McRoy Commits to Oregon
The Ducks got a boost on Saturday, landing a commitment from 2024 Pinson (Ala.) Clay-Chalkville offensive tackle JacQawn McRoy. The 6-foot-8, 365-pound mauler will head across the country to play his college football in Autzen Stadium.
This is another big recruiting win for Dan Lanning the trail and we're taking a closer look at what this addition means for the Ducks.
Recruiting Impact
The addition of McRoy is notable for a number of reason, but I want to start with distance and location. It's never easy to pull players out of SEC country and A'lique just marched into Alabama and took the best offensive lineman the state had to offer.
What's more, he beat out three SEC teams in the process. The Ducks hosted McRoy on two trips and visited him in person during the spring evaluation period to show him he was a priority.
The Ducks now have four offensive linemen in the fold for 2024 and there are two big names to watch still on the board. Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei offensive tackle Brandon Baker is the biggest fish and Duck fans should also keep close tabs on Aiea (Hi.) interior offensive lineman Preston Taumaua.
Oregon is a finalist for Tampa (Fla.) Catholic but I don't think he's a major priority or a very realistic option after adding McRoy and with the O-line class coming into focus.
Overall, this is a big recruiting win for A'lique Terry and the entire Oregon staff making another statement in the South.
Evaluation
We can start with the obvious: McRoy is a massive human being. There's not much else you can say when someone is 6'8" and weighs 365 pounds.
It's not just his frame that make him special, but rather how he moves. He's got the footwork to still be an effective blocker at his size. All that size will only get you so far if you can't carry it well and McRoy certainly can. He's not overly reliant on it.
He's a true tackle and made an impact on both the left and right side as a junior. While he iisn't the most explosive offensive lineman you'll see, he plays with violent hands, finishes blocks and gets to the second level of the defense, which I really like.
If he gets his hands on a defender, they're more than likely eliminated from the play. McRoy may not move like a college tackle just yet and he'll need to refine his body and technique before he sees the field in a consistent and meaningful role.
Outlook at Oregon
The Ducks have some really solid pieces in the offensive line room for the 2023 season and beyond. The one bright side of losing most of your offensive line from a year ago is there's plenty of young talent to work with.
McRoy will arrive in Eugene a step ahead of most from a physical standpoint, which could help him see the field, though like I said, his game needs to be refined. The Alabama product is made of the right stuff and is exactly what Dan Lanning has been looking for and needs along the line of scrimmage to help Oregon compete with the giants in college football.