STARS OF 2008:

ROV Patrick Chung -- He led the Ducks with 117 tackles last year, 7 1/2 for loss, had two interceptions and forced a fumble.

CB Walter Thurmond III -- Second on the tackling list, he had five interceptions, a forced fumble and a recovery.

DE Nick Reed -- He led the Ducks with 12 sacks last season.

RB Jeremiah Johnson -- He was the 1A to Jonathan Stewart's 1, and went down with a knee injury. The guy has star quality.

TOP NEWCOMERS

QB Chris Harper -- Oregon coach Mike Bellotti calls the high school All-American, "One of the top athletes in the United States. He has all the physical attributes to be successful in our system."

QB Darron Thomas -- A versatile quarterback who reminds people of Dennis Dixon, he is already enrolled in school and wants to get the jump of the QB job in spring ball. "That's what I'm here for," he said.

"When I saw Darron Thomas on film, I thought he looked like Dennis Dixon," said Bellotti. "I thought that was one of the best compliments I could pay him. He is a tremendous runner, an accurate passer and a great leader."

RB LeGarrette Blount -- The Ducks expected Jonathan Stewart to leave early for the NFL and he did, and made sure they had someone to come in and take his place. Blount should be No. 2 behind Jeremiah Johnson. "LeGarrette Blount is a powerful, big running back," said Bellotti. "He reminds me a lot of Reuben Droughns (Oregon running back from 1998-99 who played for Super Bowl-champion New York Giants) and has a lot of similarities in their style and their physique."

WE Dion Jordan -- A high school All-American who should step right in.

S John Boyett -- Another high school All-American in this talented class.

ROSTER REPORT

--LB Jerome Boyd, fourth on the team in tackles last season, underwent right foot surgery and was to miss spring practice.

--WRs Jamore Holland and Derrick Jones both turned in outstanding 40-yard dash speeds before spring ball, Holland clocked at 4.21 and Jones at 4.27.

--ROV Patrick Chung filed the necessary paperwork but decided against leaving early for the NFL Draft. "I love our fans, I love our coaches and I love the atmosphere here," he said. Chung has made 38 straight college starts and is a huge key to the Oregon defense and leadership.

--WR Jeffrey Maehl could move back to free safety in 2008 but was still listed at WR on the latest roster.

--Oregon coach Bellotti still hadn't made an announcement on the status of troubled WR Derrick Jones, who had been arrested twice and twice jailed for missing court appearances. He was on the roster.

--RB Jonathan Stewart became the sixth Duck to leave early for the NFL. He underwent right toe surgery that was to sideline him 3-4 months but was not expected to keep him out of the first round of the draft.

--TE Ryan Keeling, who had been with the program for four years, will finish his playing career at Division II Abilene Christian.

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