Notes and Observations From Adidas All-American Bowl Day One

There were five Oregon signees and one major uncommitted target in action out in San Antonio on Tuesday.

San Antonio--Tuesday marked the first day of Adidas All-American Bowl practice as players from across the country arrived in the Lone Star State for four days of practice leading up to the nationally-televised all-star game on Saturday.

Five of Dan Lanning's Oregon Duck signees made the trip out to San Antonio with one top remaining target in the 2024 class also taking part in the action. 

Here are my notes and observations from a cold and very rainy day one of practice.

Aaron Flowers

A strong senior season solidified Aaron Flowers as one of the best safeties in the country :: Max Torres/Ducks Digest

Flowers is one of the five recruits I think could make an early impact for the Ducks in 2024. It's one thing to watch the highlights, but seeing him move and flash fluid hips in person showed why he was so sought after from coast to coast. 

Not only does he move well, but he was in the right place at the right time throughout Tuesday's practice and flashed great ball skills with multiple pass breakups. It's never easy for true freshmen to break through and see the field early at defensive back, but I'm even more confident that Flowers can be a special talent at the next level.

Jericho Johnson (91)

2024 DL Jericho Johnson is one of the top signees in Oregon's recruiting class :: Max Torres/Ducks Digest

Johnson is the newest Duck that's out here in San Antonio, after pledging to Oregon over Washington, Utah and USC during the early signing period. He's got a wide frame and told me he's checking in at 6'2" and 350 pounds. 

Not only did he do a great job absorbing contact at the line, but there were multiple plays where he just squeezed and snuck his way into the backfield. That showed up on film in both pass and run defense this season, so he's someone I can't wait to see in one-on-one's.

Xadavien Sims (81)

Xadavien Sims is the No. 1 player in Oklahoma for the 2024 class :: Max Torres/Ducks Digest

Sims is another massive player heading to play in the trenches for Dan Lanning and Tony Tuioti. Listed at 6'4", 290 pounds, I can say he definitely looked the part, possibly even closer to 300 pounds.

One word I would use to describe Sims is powerful. I saw him strike Tennesse offensive tackle signee Bennett Warren (6'8", 335 pounds) in the chest, and visibly move him back. It's not necessarily a highlight, but you've got to think the coaches are excited about adding yet another big and athletic body in the trenches.

Fox Crader

2024 OL Fox Crader stuck with his commitment to Oregon despite receiving offers from major SEC programs ahead of his senior year :: Max Torres/Ducks Digest

Crader was a late addition to this year's roster and Tuesday was my first chance to see him in person. He's got great size at 6'6", but I don't think he quite looked the 300 pounds they have him listed at.

From what I've seen on his tape, Evergreen seemed to favor the run, so I'm interested to see what kind of balance he has in his pass-blocking sets as well. In other words, what made him so highly coveted and what made all these SEC schools recruit him?

We'll get to see him go against names like Kameryn Fountain (USC), Justin Scott (Miami) and others this week.

Brayden Platt

Brayden Platt chose Oregon over Oklahoma in a big recruiting win for Dan Lanning :: Max Torres/Ducks Digest

Platt has and continues to be one of my favorite commits in this class. He has a college-ready frame at 6'2", 240 pounds and he looks right at home among the best players in the country.

He's got elite speed for a linebacker and it's just fun to watch him move in open space, even running on kickoff. It was an install-heavy day of practice so not many real highlights, but I'll continue to keep an eye on him this week, especially once the full pads come on.

Gatlin Bair

2024 Burley (ID) wide receiver Gatlin Bair is down to a final two of Oregon and Michigan :: Max Torres/Ducks Digest

Bair was one of the players I was most excited to see this week, as he's got elite speed and is down to Oregon and Michigan. That said, I was impressed by his route running in the first practice and the smoothness he has to his game. 

He won't necessarily blow you away from a physical standpoint, but that doesn't matter once you see him blow by some of the best DBs in the country with crisp routes.

The No. 1 player in Idaho was pretty consistent reeling in passes in the first half of practice, but a few balls got away from him once it turned into a steady downpour at Trinity University. I think I'll have a better feel for his game once the pads come on and I get to see him in a one-on-one or seven-on-seven live action setting.

Kamar Mothudi

Kamar Mothudi is one of two Oregon linebacker signees in San Antonio this week :: Max Torres/Ducks Digest

Mothudi stood out from a physical standpoint among the other linebackers in attendance. I didn't watch him quite as much as other players because I've seen him multiple times in Southern California, but his lateral quickness and athleticism will continue to serve him well once he gets to Oregon as an early enrollee.

I look to forward to watching him in pass coverage this week.

Five Takeaways From Oregon's 45-6 Fiesta Bowl Victory Over Liberty

Oregon CB Cole Martin Enters Transfer Portal

Oregon Football Transfer Portal Tracker