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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Governor Kate Brown reflects on 'unexpected' first year, future agenda ... Chetco ocean 'bubble' fisheries could be halved ... Knife attack at Lithia dealership sends man to prison ... Governor Kate Brown reflects on 'unexpected' first year, future agenda ... Chetco ocean 'bubble' fisheries could be halved ... Knife attack at Lithia dealership sends man to prison ... COLLEGE FOOTBALL UO's Benjamin switches to football Comment By Eugene Register-Guard MailTribune.com By Eugene Register-Guard Posted Apr. 5, 2016 at 8:59 PM Updated Apr 5, 2016 at 9:00 PM By Eugene Register-Guard Posted Apr. 5, 2016 at 8:59 PM Updated Apr 5, 2016 at 9:00 PM » Social News EUGENE — Another versatile Oregon athlete officially changed his focus to a different sport Monday. Dwayne Benjamin, fresh off an Elite Eight appearance as a senior on the Ducks’ basketball team, joined Mark Helfrich’s football team for Monday’s practice. The 6-foot-7 Benjamin will try to make the transition from forward to wide receiver, where some extra reps are available with Devon Allen concentrating on track this spring. Helfrich said Benjamin, an all-state high school receiver in Louisiana, faces an even steeper learning curve than Johnathan Loyd did when the former Oregon point guard put on the shoulder pads and helmet as a receiver and punt returner in 2014. “I think his football recruiting has been a little overblown, in terms of what I’ve seen reported,” Helfrich said of Benjamin, who had 45 receptions for 927 yards and 14 touchdowns at Northside High in Lafayette, La., in 2010 before focusing on basketball. “We’ll find out. It’s way too early to tell.” Oregon already has a lot of returning experience (Darren Carrington, Dwayne Stanford, Charles Nelson, Devon Allen) and intriguing young talent (Kirk Merritt, Dillon Mitchell, Alex Ofodile) at receiver. But offensive coordinator Matt Lubick said last week he’s looking forward to coaching Benjamin. “I’m sure his head’s spinning,” quarterback Dakota Prukop said. “We’re putting in all this knew stuff, and he hasn’t played football in four years or whatever it may be. But I saw him out there running around a little bit and talking to (Carrington). I’m sure they’re taking him right in.” Benjamin never lost his love for football. “It would be amazing to play at Autzen,” he said at the NCAA West Regional final in Anaheim. “I go to every game I can, so to play here would be great, and to stay another year at Oregon would be wonderful, too.” By Eugene Register-Guard MailTribune.com By Eugene Register-Guard Posted Apr. 5, 2016 at 8:59 PM Updated Apr 5, 2016 at 9:00 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501