Oregon's Taggart lauds Herbert's confidence heading into 2nd season
One of the lone bright spots in Oregon's dismal 2016 season was the emergence of freshman quarterback Justin Herbert.
After playing sparingly through the opening five games, Herbert took over the starting job and flourished, finishing the campaign with 1,936 passing yards and 19 touchdowns against just four interceptions.
With great achievement comes great expectation, but new coach Willie Taggart isn't worried about Herbert shying away from the spotlight. The Ducks frontman joked at Pac-12 Media Days that young quarterback's confidence is evident in how he's been "walking outside with his shift off."
Herbert's way more comfortable in the spotlight now, Taggart said, as evidence of the QB "walking outside with his shirt off now."
— Andrew Greif (@AndrewGreif) July 27, 2017
"If you all know Justin, that wasn't him before," Taggart told Andrew Greif of The Oregonian on Thursday. "I get a text from him almost every other day ... I think he's a star in the making."
The marriage of Taggart and Herbert should benefit both sides, as the former South Florida coach has shown in the past what he can do with a talented signal-caller.
Quinton Flowers was one of the most prolific pivots in the country last season for the Bulls, throwing for 2,812 yards and 24 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,530 yards and 18 scores.