Vernon Adams hits road to University of Oregon

For three years Vernon Adams had been off limits from being tackled by his Eastern Washington University football teammates in practice and scrimmages.

All that changed Feb. 9 when the All-American Eagles' quarterback announced his transfer to the University of Oregon. He hoped to assume the job that was held by Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariotta who decided to skip his senior season and enter last April's NFL draft.

EWU and Oregon would meet in Eugene to open their respective 2015 football seasons on Sept. 5. "It's going to be crazy," Adams said. "The defense can finally tackle me."

Adams, had been a sought after commodity at quarterback not only by Oregon, but also UCLA and Texas, each seeking instant experience at quarterback.

Adams, twice runner-up for the Walter Payton Award given to the top Football Championship Subdivision offensive player, would study for a masters degree, after his June graduation at Eastern.

Adams was eligible to transfer under an NCAA rule that allows those athletes who complete undergraduate requirements at one institution - and who have eligibility remaining - to move to another school.

Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Russell Wilson did undergrad studies at North Carolina State before transferring to Wisconsin where he led the Badgers to the 2011 Rose Bowl.

"He felt like it was a great opportunity for him, he wanted to explore that opportunity and go down that road," EWU head coach Beau Baldwin said during a Feb. 9 press conference.

EWU athletics director Bill Chaves addressed another part of the transfer rule which was well-intentioned he said.

"I really do think the legislation, when it was put together, it was for all the right reasons," Chaves said. However, like a tax loophole, "We've probably gone into a world we didn't intend."

Baldwin was vocal over how the rule appears to be manipulated.

"This is a guy we recruited, this is a guy we developed, and during that three to four years, obviously, Oregon doesn't feel like they recruited or developed a guy to the same level that we did here in Cheney, Wash.," Baldwin said.

"That can be a little bit frustrating, and I would ask the question, 'cause I don't see myself finding my next QB at Linfield," Baldwin added with more than a little sarcasm in his voice.

At the time, Baldwin cautioned that there remained a long and twisting road between Cheney and Eugene.

"He's got a lot of challenges in terms of the hoops he needs to jump through to make sure he can get that degree in a timely fashion," Baldwin said of Adams.

However, on Aug. 13, Adams passed the math class to graduate from Eastern and officially join fall practice at Oregon. In the eyes of some, Adams beat tall odds, won the starting job and faced his former EWU teammates Sept. 5, winning 61-42. He threw for 246 yards, added 94 more on the ground and passed for two touchdowns, all despite breaking his index finger on his throwing hand.

After missing playing time with the injury, Adams returned to the lineup and led the Ducks to six consecutive wins. He led the nation in passing efficiency at 179.6.

His streak might have reached seven had Adams not been knocked out of the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio in a helmet-to-helmet tackle. Adams staked the Ducks to a 28-0 lead but Oregon would see their lead melt away as Texas Christian University won 47-41 in triple-overtime.

Paul Delaney can be reached at [email protected].