The NCAA's restriction to one home visit per recruit didn't seem to tie the hands of first year head coach Chip Kelly. Two seasons spent on the circuit as the offensive coordinator had demonstrated Kelly was willing - and to a refreshing degree, able - to expand Oregon's recruiting footprint into high school football hotspots other than California.

In his first season as the in home closer, Kelly netted 10 from Baja Oregon, but also pulled in a trio from Texas, a pair from Florida and Arizona, and one each from Illinois, Michigan, Utah and North Carolina. Oregon also added two of the state's premier seniors, putting the final tally 13-10 in favor of "states other than" the Golden State.

Wednesday's most pleasant surprise was DT Ricky Heimuli of Salt Lake City, Utah and Kelly acknowledged that a program that boasted of grads - and SLC natives - Haloti Ngata and Will Tukuafu played a role in a decision that went down to the wire.

"We felt pretty good about Ricky all along," said Kelly. "Him and (defensive line coach) Jerry (Azinarro) had a pretty good relationship throughout this whole thing. Just a great young man, kinda how he handled the process, very orderly in what they did in bringing in their final group the last week. They kind of ran the recruiting the right way."

It was the trio from Texas that served notice of the Duck's expanded ambitions. Athlete Josh Huff - another late decision - joined running backs Dontae Williams and Lache Seastrunk in coming to Eugene from deep in the hearta - newly opened territory for the program. As well as sharing a Lone Star heritage with current RB LaMichael James, the newest Texans bring "speed and more speed" to the Oregon backfield.