Following in the footsteps of Greg Paulus and a few others, Oregon point guard Jonathan Loyd will try to make the transition from the hardwood to the football field. Loyd will join the Ducks football team as a wide receiver.
Loyd will use a provision that allows college athletes five years of competition. Since Loyd never redshirted, he has one more season of eligibility.
The 5-foot-8, 163-pound Loyd had offers to play college football after graduating from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas in 2010 but instead signed on as Dana Altman’s first recruit for the Oregon basketball team.
Loyd played in all 144 games for the Ducks during his career, of which 97 were victories. He had his best year as a senior when he averaged seven points and nearly five assists while helping the Ducks reach the third round of the NCAA Tournament before losing to Wisconsin on March 22.
Loyd attended an Oregon football practice last week and put the pads on for the first time Monday.
He was a first-team all-state returner after running back five punts for touchdowns and averaging 32.6 yards per kick return. He also played defensive back.
Oregon’s football program has had success in the past with wide receivers off the basketball team.
Jordan Kent was Oregon’s second-leading receiver in 2006 when he caught 44 passes for 491 yards and four touchdowns, and Tony Hargain had two 100-yard receiving games from 1987-90 and also played basketball.
With Loyd's size he could compete as a slot receiver or returner. My guess is that if he sees the field he'll be a jack of all trades type.
