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Redshirt sophomore linebacker Will Straton appeared in all fourteen games for the Oregon Ducks last season, mostly on special teams, where he contributed 11 tackles.
But before Straton was officially a member of the Ducks’ football program in 2023, he was just a hopeful student with a dream of playing for one of the nation’s top programs.
In a recently released video as part of Oregon’s “Meet The Flock” series, Straton explained how he went to desperate measures to ensure he was able to make the team.
Will Straton Spied On Oregon Practices In Order To Learn Defensive Scheme
In a situation where the ends certainly appear to have justified the means, Straton shared that he used to hide in the bushes during Oregon football practices and watch the defense so that he could learn the scheme for walk-on tryouts.
“I was a regular student with an academic scholarship, and I was sneaking in,” Straton said in the episode about his creative plan to make to make the team.
“When I was a student here, and y’all was playing the ’23 season, back when we had the regular fields, there used to be trees over there,” Straton said during a meeting of players for a “Hot Seat” bonding exercise. “And when I was like, ‘Whatever it takes.’ Imma go watch practice. Imma study. And I was hiding under the tree. There was a little ramp, though, and I’m just taking notes just to understand the defense. I knew I was gonna get a shot.”
Unfortunately for Straton at the time, Oregon equipment administrator Kenny Farr caught him and chased him down. Farr took Straton’s notebook and passed it to the coaching staff. But it did allow Strato to connect with former Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi, getting his foot in the door for a walk-on tryout, which eventually got him on the team.
Dan Lanning Tells His Side Of The Will Straton Story
While some coaches might tell someone like Straton to disappear and never come back, Oregon coach Dan Lanning took a different approach.
“I don’t remember when I found out, but I remember reading through his notes, and it was funny. He was like, ‘This guy’s not very fast. This quarterback always stares down his target,'” Lanning said of the incident. “I remember reading the notes. ‘Alright, when they’ve got two guys into the boundary.’ He wrote down some detailed notes.”
It was Straton’s go-getter attitude that actually stuck out to Lannning and has turned him into a team leader.
“But I love that story for Will, and he has been an unbelievable member of our team. He’s been one of our production leaders this spring at linebacker,” Lanning continued. “He’s earned everything that’s come his direction. I’m really proud of his growth, and glad that God works in mysterious ways and lets guys like that join your team.
“But I remember that day distinctly, and I don’t think I met Will that day, but Kenny’s (Farr) chasing him around outside the practice field. We grabbed his notebook and take from him. I read all his notes, and there wasn’t anything that was going to hurt our chances of having success on the field.”
Not only did the notes not hurt Oregon’s success on the field, but they ultimately led to Straton making the team, which has become a huge positive for the Ducks in the long run.