Sports Editor
Let me start this by making it clear, I am NOT a duck fan. I’m basically the opposite of a duck fan; I’m really a duck hater, although, I am a fan of Marcus Mariota. Honestly, who isn’t? The Hawaii native is highly decorated. During the Home Depot College Football Awards show in December 2014 he took home the Maxwell Award as the nation’s most outstanding player, the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback award, the Walter Camp player of the year and scored big with the ultimate feat, The Heisman. He is also the Associated Press Player of the Year and the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year. The only thing this QB is missing is a national championship, thanks to Ohio State.
In 2014, Mariota threw for 42 touchdowns, with only four interceptions. He had 4454 yards and averaged 10 yards per toss. He threw at least one TD in all 41 games he played in at Oregon. He is also one of just four quarterbacks that threw for more than 10,000 yards and ran for more than 2,000 in his career in FBS history. During Monday night’s National Championship game Mariota became the first Pac-12 player to eclipse 5,000 total yards in a season. Seeing as Troy Aikman, Aaron Rodgers, John Elway and Andrew Luck were just some of the great QB’s to come out of the Pac-12, this is a huge accomplishment. If there is anything factual about Mariota’s season it’s simply this, numbers don’t lie.
As of Wednesday, Jan. 14, this 6’4 21-year-old announced he would forgo his senior year to enter the NFL draft. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will ultimately get the first shot at scoring Mariota for their roster, suggesting they overlook the option of Jameis Winston. How successful could Mariota be in Tampa Bay? Mike Evans, Tampa Bay wide receiver was named a member of the 2014 All-Rookie team, had 1,051 yards and 12 touchdowns on the season. Wide receiver Vincent Jackson caught 1,002 yards and two touchdowns. Although the offensive line could use some work, Mariota would have the opportunity to throw the ball in Tampa Bay, and from what we’ve seen in Eugene, Oregon, this guy can throw.
In a list amongst other 6’4+ quarterbacks including Tom Brady, Colin Kaepernick, Andrew Luck and Ben Roethlisberger, physically, Mariota is already in a pretty impressive category. Besides genetics in his favor, he is mobile, proving so with over 2,000 rushing yards at Oregon, and accuracy? He only threw four interceptions in a season. There’s no argument there. Whoever picks up Mariota is sure to be satisfied.
Unfortunately I am not an analysis for college football careers…yet….nor can my predictions on his professional career be taken seriously. The only thing I can say, and be quoted on, is that I am thankful for the representation Mariota has displayed for the State of Oregon and I am excited to see where his professional career will take him. Who knows, maybe one day if Mariota throws on a Saint’s jersey I just may have to throw on a Mariota Saint’s jersey as well.
