Marcus Mariota reportedly close to deal with Nike
Marcus Mariota is reportedly closing in on a deal with Nike.
It looks like Marcus Mariota’s ties to Oregon are still paying dividends, even as the reigning Heisman Trophy Award winner heads to the NFL. While sporting the Ducks colors, the projected top-10 pick in this year’s draft became an unofficial face of Nike’s brand. It should come as no surprise then that the company is reportedly close to finalizing a deal that would land the most famous swoosh in the world on Mariota’s lapel.
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Mariota is arguably the most marketable player coming out of college this year. Thus, a deal by Nike seems like a no-brainer. The quarterback is clean-cut, well-spoken, friendly and outgoing. This is, of course, all in addition to what he can do with a football.
For those of you not familiar with what we are talking about, allow us to refer you to the numbers.
Now, Mariota’s entire career at Oregon was mesmerizing. However, 2014 was virtually unreal. He threw for 4,454 yards, completed 68.3 percent of his passes, and accounted for a 90.8 QBR. In addition to an unheard of 42-4 touchdown passes to interception ratio, he posted 15 rushing TD and 770 yards on the ground for good measure.
The aforementioned numbers landed Mariota virtually every single award a college quarterback is eligible for; the Heisman, Maxwell, Davey O’Brien, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm, Associated Press Player of the Year, and the Walter Camp Man of the Year.
To make a long story short, Mariota is an efficient dual threat monster (105 TD, 14 INT for his passing career). There is some trepidation among NFL scouts, however, regarding his ability to translate his play into a professional style offense. It has been widely noted in the past that Oregon does indeed have its own system in place, and many wonder if Mariota can thrive just as effectively without it.
It has already been one of the biggest storylines heading into the draft, and likely will continue to be even after. Reports have speculated in recent weeks that Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly would be willing to trade up to acquire him, as he originally recruited the guy back in the Spring of 2012.
Wherever Mariota ends up, the question will linger until week one of the 2015 NFL season. As for the quarterback’s Nike contract; expect the deal to be formally announced at some point prior to April 30th. That is the date of the NFL Draft in Chicago.
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