Harper's move from Duck QB to receiver could be permanent

He adds to mix as Bellotti seeks playmakers

By Jason Vondersmith

The Portland Tribune, Oct 15, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Oregon's Chris Harper, slicing through the Washington defense in an appearance at quarterback as a true freshman, has become a factor at wide receiver for the Ducks.

L.E. BASKOW / THE PORTLAND TRIBUNE

EUGENE — Oregon recruited Chris Harper as a quarterback, but the Ducks also realized that the 6-3, 230-pound talented and athletic kid could be a running back, receiver, defensive back or linebacker in the Pac-10 Conference.

All along, Harper wanted to be a quarterback, and coaches said it would be Harper's decision to not play the position. He adamantly said during training camp, when his poor throwing manifested itself, that he would rather have surgery on his sore shoulder than play another position.

But, things change. Harper got his chance at quarterback, running impressively but throwing poorly, the inability to chuck the football becoming apparent to 59,000 Autzen Stadium fans and television viewers when he went 0 for 3 with two interceptions against Boise State.

Recently, the true freshman went into coach Mike Bellotti's office and asked about playing another position. And, his future as a quarterback, unlike many of his passes, now appears up in the air.

He'll practice and play at receiver for the rest of the season. He had seen some time, out of necessity, against Washington State. Then, he played against USC and UCLA, catching two balls against the Bruins, including an impressive 24-yard touchdown grab.

Harper now seems cool with the idea of playing something other than quarterback.

"I can't make all the throws like I used to," says Harper, from Wichita, Kan. "My arm is real weak, (unlike) when I came in the spring. Once I get my arm strength back, it might click.

"I've seen a lot of (Oregon) guys throw and I think I have as strong an arm as them. I've not been as accurate. But I can certainly get it there. It's frustrating. I don't know if my arm is all the way healed."

Harper, having arrived in Eugene in April out of high school developed a sore shoulder in the spring, but he threw impressively in the spring game. On his first day of August training camp, it was apparent that Harper still had shoulder problems, because he couldn't get anything on the ball or complete passes.

Bellotti said because of Harper's muscles — seriously, he has the body of a linebacker — smaller muscles and the rotator cuff were not strong enough to support his throwing.

These days, "he has a healthy shoulder, (his passing) hasn't developed the way he needs it to," Bellotti says. "He knows that."

Says Harper: "It's healthy, but as far as me throwing, it's still 'weak.' Like if you tore an ACL, (the knee) might be healed, but it's not all the way back to normal."

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