Guest Article by Michael Tallia

[Editor's note: Michael Tallia is a journalism student at the University of Oregon, an avid Duck fan, and a representative for Rent Like a Champion, a company that offers rental properties for football weekends near Autzen Stadium and around the country.]

Meet Dontre Wilson, the 5'8 RB [editor's note: recruiting sites have Wilson at about 5-10, 175-180, which makes him about the size of LaMichael James as a prep] from De Soto High School in Texas, quite possibly the next big playmaker for the Oregon Ducks. In recent exchanges with reporters, it seems that he has cut his list down to Ohio State and The Ducks! Many assume that he has the Ducks atop his board after a very successful visit to Eugene, where he spent most of his time with LaMichael James, a native to Texas who knows what its like moving away from home. According to reports, Wilson's family is close with James and has stayed in constant contact with him which makes landing him an even bigger possibility.

Another package of Texas dynamite: small and lightning-quick, Wilson could be a perfect fit in the explosive Oregon offense, and he came away impressed by his Eugene visit (eugenedailynews.com photo).

The entire PAC-12, most of the SEC and the Top 25 want Eddie Vanderdoes.

He's a 6-4, 285-pound defensive lineman with an exceptional motor and an explosive first step. He plays smart and quick, and everybody from Nick Saban to Bob Stoops to Chip Kelly has offered him a scholarship and invited him to summer camp, junior day and anything else the NCAA will allow.

One of the top five defensive linemen in the country this year, he's a franchise talent and a future star, with the work habits and size to become a tremendous college football player. The hype and hysteria are only beginning, and Cal and Oregon lead for his services. Everyone will make their pitch between now and Signing Day. From Placer High School in Auburn, California, Vanderdoes is the key to a successful recruiting class for Oregon in 2013. He plays a vital position where talent like his is rare, scarce, and fiercely sought after. The Ducks already have a verbal commitment from 5-star running back Thomas Tyner, they're competing hard for elite outside linebacker Michael Hutchings, but Vanderdoes is the linchpin, anchor and focal point, because if you can land the dominating defensive linemen the entire defense suddenly becomes a more forceful and intimidating unit on the field.

Recruiting sites try to project 18-year-old high school students three years into the future. They do a good job, but it's far from an exact science. For the Ducks, players like Kenjon Barner, Brandon Bair, Spencer Paysinger, Jeff Maehl and Dion Jordan all wound up playing a different position than they were evaluated at as prospects.

Oregon's coaching staff does an exceptional job of evaluating and developing players, finding the right fit. A big part of that is they draft a lot of athletes with intelligence and multiple skills. Two examples stand out in the 2012 class,  although there are several.

Evan Baylis, a 6-5, 225-lb. tight end from Aurora, Colorado, is a 4-star tight end. He's a fierce blocker and a capable pass catcher, as well as being an A student. So far he sounds a lot like a young David Paulson. But he's also a high-volume tackler at linebacker, with 105 tackles and 8 sacks in his senior year. Project Baylis a year or two in the future at 240 with Jim Radcliffe's staff improving his already-excellent strength and agility, and you have a fearsome inside linebacker.

Another example is Bralon Addison from Texas, a speed athlete who was a high school quarterback that accounted for 46 tds as a senior. Addison could develop into a star as a Duck at wide receiver, running back or defensive back, and Chip Kelly says he's also a pretty good quarterback, although perhaps lacking in arm strength. When he makes the travel squad the Ducks have the added benefit of having an emergency quarterback who could pose problems for the defense running the zone read.

Versatile athletes create extra depth on the roster, and sometimes a player can develop into a surprising star in an unexpected place.

Head coach Chip Kelly breaks down each member of Oregon's 2012 recruiting class in his Signing Day press conference:

Byron Marshall

5'10'', 200 lbs. | Class of 2012

    Hometown: San Jose, CA
    School: Valley Christian High School
    Position: Running Back
    Status: Signed letter of intent,  Oregon  2/1/2012

After signing his letter of intent today, Byron Marshall starts work on becoming the next great Oregon running back.

Marshall lettered as a freshman and made the U.S. Army All-American team as a senior. In his last three years as a prep he scored 51 touchdowns, rushing for 1,035, 1,360 and 914 yards. He missed three games his senior year with an injury, but still averaged a whopping 9.38 yards a carry.

With LaMichael James graduating and Dontae Williams and Lache Seastrunk leaving the program last year, Marshall has the ability and the opportunity to challenge for immediate playing time.

photo right: Byron Marshall stiffarmed Cal and ASU to become a Duck, and fans will be delighted he did (bearinsider.com photo).

Andy McNamara of the Oregon Sports Information Department just released the official list of Oregon signees:

Photo right: 5-star defensive lineman Arik Armstead headlines a solid, deep, versatile 2012 recruiting class for the Oregon Ducks.

Alex Balducci has signed his Oregon letter of intent, adding to the Ducks depth and promise on the defensive line.

Balducci is a high-motor 6-4, 275-lb. defensive tackle from Portland's Central Catholic High School. The Oregon co-defensive of player of the year (also all-conference as an offensive lineme) has wanted to be a Duck since he was a grade schooler, watching Dennis Dixon and Jonathan Stewart running for touchdowns at Autzen Stadium.

“I’ve always had an interest in them,” Balducci told Aaron Fentress of oregonlive.com. “So it was an easy decision.”

Recruiting website Rivals.com rates him the #97 recruit in the country for the 2012 class. The Duck Stops Here breaks down his highlight video to show why the Army All-American is such a promising, impressive prospect, a rare find at defensive tackle in the Northwest:

Protect this house: He wore Cardinal and Gold in high school, but his heart is pure Gang Green. Alex Balducci is a big man with a Duck dream (scout.com photo).