Helfrich explains why Ducks aren't using 4-star talent Morgan Mahalak at QB

Oregon has used three quarterbacks this season — graduate transfer Vernon Adams, junior Jeff Lockie and walk-on sophomore Taylor Alie — all of whom have struggled.

After moving Ty Griffin from quarterback to defensive back during training camp, the Ducks have five quarterbacks on the roster. True freshman Travis Jonsen, a four-star recruit from Anaheim, California, is out for the season with an injury. Jonsen likely would have redshirted anyway.

That leaves redshirt freshman Morgan Mahalak, who has not yet to be used at quarterback this season.

Mahalak was a four-star recruit in the 2014 recruiting class.

So why haven’t we seen Mahalak out there?

“The redshirt year, for some guys, they take great advantage of. We probably didn’t do that as much as we possibly could in his case,” Oregon coach Mark Helfrich said. “And that’s just reality, and we learn from it. And that happens at multiple positions. A couple guys, two or three guys every year, unfortunately. Again, the human nature. You know, the human being part of it.”

Helfrich said he is seeing an improvement in Mahalak.

“Creating that sense of urgency, it’s happening better in his case,” Helfrich said. “He’s just not operationally as good as the other guys. It’s as simple as that, at this point. That doesn’t mean that’s forever, by any stretch.”