Vernon Adams eligible, can compete for Oregon QB job

Vernon Adams passed his math class that he needed to get cleared to become eligible this fall for Oregon, multiple sources told FOX Sports Thursday.

The former Eastern Washington star is expected to replace Marcus Mariota as the Ducks' new quarterback after starring at the FCS program. The dynamic dual-threat QB will have missed the first few days of fall camp and will battle with Jeff Lockie for the starting job.

Adams later confirmed that he had become eligible to play this season. Passing that class enabled him to graduate from Eastern Washington.

At EWU, he threw for almost 11,000 yards and produced 121 touchdowns, displaying an uncanny ability to scramble out of trouble and deliver pinpoint passes on the run. In back-to-back seasons, Adams came in second for the Walter Payton Award, honoring the nation's top FCS player.

Against the Ducks' two archrivals, Washington and Oregon State, the past two seasons, Adams piled up 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also led Eastern Washington to more than 44 points per game — more than anyone else in FCS football.

But the Eagles' system is quite a bit different from Oregon's. There is some similarity in the passing game, but Oregon does a lot more reading of defenders within its scheme. The hardest part of Adams' adjustment, though, figures to be in the terminology. 

Oregon opens up against Adams' old school, EWU, before traveling to play Michigan State in Week 2.