Vernon Adams, Oregon's high-profile graduate transfer addition from the offseason is finally joining the team just as the Ducks' summer camp is getting started.
After playing quarterback for three dominant years at Eastern Washington University (EWU), Adams became eligible to transfer anywhere without penalty for his final year of eligibility. In a highly publicized decision, Adams chose to make a jump from his FCS school to Oregon, a Pac-12 powerhouse in the FBS.
But about a month ago, it came to light that Adams needed one more math course to complete his degree and until he graduated he could not participate in Oregon's football team activities. Both he and Oregon have confirmed he will be heading to Eugene ahead of the weekend.
Oregon's football program confirmed via Twitter than Adams was added to the roster, thus making him eligible to practice with the team. Adams also posted a photo to his Instagram account indicating he graduated from EWU.
OregonLive.com also reported receiving text message confirmation from Adams that he would be in Eugene on Friday for the Ducks' training camp. Once on site, he will jump right into a competition for the starting quarterback role with Jeff Lockie, who has spent the last two seasons as a backup to Marcus Mariota.
Lockie knows the Ducks' offense intimately while Adams has three seasons' worth of game experience in which he dominated the FCS.
OregonLive.com reported speaking with various Ducks players, who said they believe Adams could be the starter on week one, but that he has an uphill climb. Despite taking the summer to learn Oregon's offense, there is no way he can know it as well as Lockie does.
Some of the players also acknowledged the extra attention the team has received as a result of their quarterback situation.
"It's very blown up," Braylon Addison, wide receiver, told OregonLive.com. "I get it. It's because our practices are closed. You guys don't get to see everything. I totally understand the questions that come with Marcus (Mariota) graduating. Who is the next guy? Is he going to be able to do it?"
