EUGENE, Ore. — On April 8, 2014, after their leading returning receiver Bralon Addison tore knee ligaments in a spring workout, the University of Oregon's football coaches examined the remaining pass catchers on their roster.
Rising senior Keanon Lowe had 40 career catches, but mostly had made his mark as a mentor and dogged blocker. Rising sophomore Dwayne Stanford was coming off his own knee injury and had zero career catches. Darren Carrington was preparing for his redshirt freshman season.
Devon Allen was making a national impact on the track for Oregon but was months away from appearing in a football game for the Ducks.