Mario Cristobal turning Oregon Football into national power, NFL pipeline
NFL Pipeline
Sending elite players to the NFL is nothing new for Oregon. However, Mario Cristobal has taken it to a whole new level. PAC-12 players are typically viewed as soft and not physical enough to play in the trenches in the NFL. These stereotypes stem from the Chip Kelly and Mark Hekfrich regimes. Even the defensive linemen they have produced in the last decade are prototypical pro players. Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner are long and athletic as opposed to big and strong.
However, Mario Cristobal’s offensive line background has allowed these talented offensive linemen to reach their potential. Three starters from the 2019 offensive line are on NFL rosters, with two of them being draft picks. They even had Justin Herbert hear his name called in the top-10 as he becomes then new face of the franchise for the Chargers.
That is unheard of for a PAC-12 school not named USC. The wide open, spread, get down the field offenses, typically produce athletic offensive linemen who cannot hang at the NFL level. It must be noted, these players are not even Cristobal’s recruits. When he starts bringing in his own guys, the pipeline will get even better. Not to mention, Penei Sewell may be a top three pick in the 2021 NFL draft.
Defensively, Oregon will be sending a good chunk of their defense to the NFL. In 2020, linebacker Troy Dye went in the fourth round to the Minnesota Vikings. As stated previously, the Ducks have one of the best defensive back groups in the nation. Defensive tackle Jordon Scott is another player who will hear his name called during the 2021 NFL draft. In 2022, Kayvon Thibodeaux could very well be the first non-quarterback off the board.
According to Pro Football Network, the Ducks have three cornerbacks alone who could be on their way to the NFL next season. This is a promising start to being the best secondary in all of college football.
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No one is happier about Mario Cristobal being the head coach at Oregon than the NFL. Oregon simply wasn’t developing players to their full potential. Now they are a national power building a great culture. They are also forming a pipeline to the NFL that appears unrivaled in the PAC-12. The SEC and Clemson get most of the national attention, but if anyone can be a consistent threat to them out West, it’s Mario Cristobal’s Oregon Football Ducks.