Heisman-winning Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota has declared for the NFL Draft, the program announced Wednesday. The redshirt junior had one season of eligibility remaining with the Ducks, and is expected to be one of the top selections in April.
Oregon QB Marcus Mariota declares for NFL Draft
The Heisman winner is expected to be one of the top selections.
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
A three-star recruit out of Hawaii, Mariota started three years for Oregon and threw a touchdown in all 41 of his starts (an NCAA record). He led the Ducks to a 36-5 record in his time at the school, and was the first player in FBS history with a plus-50 ratio of touchdowns (58) to turnovers (seven).
Mariota became the first player in program history to win the Heisman, and was also the first native of Hawaii to win the award. This season, Mariota passed for 4,454 yards, averaging 10.0 yards per attempt with 42 touchdowns against four interceptions. The junior also ran for 770 yards and 15 touchdowns, leading the Ducks to a runner-up performance in the national title game.
“After meeting with my family I have decided to forego my final year of eligibility and apply for the 2015 NFL Draft,” Mariota said in the release. “My four years at the University of Oregon have been an awesome experience. I cannot thank Coach Kelly, Coach Helfrich, Coach Frost, the rest of the Oregon coaches and the support staff enough for molding me as a person, player and student-athlete.”
Mahalo Marcus. Thank you for all the memories, but most of all, thank you for taking us along for the journey. Once a Duck, always a Duck.
— Addicted To Quack (@AddictedToQuack) January 14, 2015 See More:
