Ducks climb for Vorhees after visit
Most of the Pac-12 has already offered him and the rest are in contact. Last week was Oregon’s time to shine for Kingsburg (Calif.) OL Andrew Vorhees as he took an unofficial visit up to Eugene and in the end, came away with his latest offer.
Duck Sports Authority caught up with him to get the details.
“I had to decide where to go last week and it came down to Oregon or Colorado,” Vorhees explained. “Obviously I ended up going to Oregon. I have liked Oregon since I was a kid. I knew a receiver that my uncle coached that ended up going there and they just kind of stole my heart when I was getting to know football.
“So we got to Portland and it was my first time being in Oregon. We flew into Portland and met a cousin of mine who lives in Tigard. We ended up driving to Eugene that night and got there around 10:30. So we drove by the stadium that night but didn’t see a lot. Then we met at 7:00 the next morning and did all the academic stuff then after that it was all football. Education is huge for me and will play a big role in my commitment.”
The relationship between the high three-star prospect and the Ducks began late last year.
“Coach Greatwood stopped by the school last November and told me that they liked me and he wanted me to get out there,” Vorhees began. “So last week I went with my aunt and uncle. We did all the normal unofficial visit stuff but then I was able to sit down with Coach Greatwood and talk for about 40 minutes. Coach Helfrich also stopped by for about 15 minutes. He said they wanted to get to know me as a person a little bit but that they knew they were going to offer me before I even got up there.
“It was on a Saturday too. They weren’t even supposed to be in the office but they took the time to stop by to offer me in person.”
The rest of the unofficial visit went equally well.
“It was a great time,” said Vorhees. “I loved the school and was very pleased with the facilities and the program and the coaches. Coach Greatwood is a family guy and that Sunday he had the whole offensive line over to his house for kind of a delayed Easter egg hunt. So that was cool and I know that he would take care of me there.
“I really loved Eugene and can see myself playing there. I love the weather, all the outdoor activities and then the program itself is pretty prestigious.”
With signing day for the Class of 2017 ten months away, the 6-foot-6, 290-pound athlete is in no hurry to trim his list.
“It is early on and I think it’s too early to narrow it down now,” said Vorhees. “I want to take all of my five trips but I will probably narrow it down this summer. I want to take my officials before I commit.”
Where do the Ducks stand compared to other teams now that he has seen the University first-hand?
“I am trying to not be biased or lean any way yet,” said Vorhees. “I’m trying to stay neutral but I really do like Oregon. They are high on my list. But that’s about all you are going to get from me on that right now.”
Well, maybe we will get a little more insight.
“I guess it is inevitable that it will come out but along with Oregon I like UCLA a lot too. The opportunities at both schools as a double business and econ major are great. So I guess right now those two schools stand out.”