By Rob Moseley

Editor, GoDucks.com

Being the backup comes with an inherent safety net.

On one hand, you've got be ready to spell the starter at a moment's notice. But on the other, you can exist outside the spotlight, free to be yourself without hordes of fans and media – not to mention teammates – judging your every move.

For Jeff Lockie, that meant the freedom to be quick with a one-liner pretty much any time he encountered a familiar face around Oregon's football facilities. On the practice field, he could quietly throw his arm around the shoulders of a teammate who'd just been corrected by a coach or team leader, and make sure the guy's confidence wasn't too shaken.

That's all in the past, however. Since the departure of Marcus Mariota following the 2014 season, Lockie has had a different presence within the program. He's more composed, exuding more self-assurance. He's got to be the guy setting an example of hard work, and chastising a teammate who isn't pulling his weight, rather than watching others do so.

“When we had guys like Marcus and Hroniss (Grasu), it's hard to be a vocal leader around those guys,” Lockie said Monday, as he prepared for his first preseason camp practice atop the UO depth chart. “You're a leader, but in a totally different light; you're there to pick a guy up, be more of a support system. Now you've got to take your leadership in a different direction.

“There's no more, 'Hey, they can look to those guys and you can hang back and be a friend all the time.' They're looking to you, so you've to be this and this and that. It changes.”

Given that Oregon received financial-aid paperwork this offseason from potential transfer Vernon Adams, there's a sense externally that Lockie has been operating the last several months in a state of limbo, uncertain of his role with the Ducks. That's not the case, he said, and teammates say his actions have backed that up.

There's been no indication yet from the coaching staff of who will be the starter when Oregon opens the season at home Sept. 5 against Eastern Washington. But unless or until Adams arrives, Lockie's standing with the team is nothing short of, starting quarterback for the Oregon Ducks.

“You've got to earn that respect,” junior guard Cameron Hunt said. “It can't be, you're the next guy in line, so it's given to you. You've got to earn it. And he's done a great job.

“He's been working out hard, and you notice that. You notice who's working hard and who' s slacking. He's been working his ass off.”

The fruits of Lockie's hard work were on display Monday, when the Ducks held their first practice of preseason camp.

On the first rep of 7-on-7 drills, Lockie saw Byron Marshall zoom past a defensive back and threw over the top of the secondary for a touchdown pass of about 35 yards. That became a trend: Seemingly each time the Ducks began a new drill, Lockie and the first-string executed on the very first rep, including a pass to Charles Nelson streaking over the middle the next time the team went into 7-on-7.

When the Ducks went through summer workouts in June and July, including player-run practice drills, it was Lockie leading the way. The chemistry he built with Oregon's receivers seemed to be reflected in how seamlessly they transitioned into and between drills Monday.

“We've taken so many reps together this summer,” Lockie said after practice. “Going out there and finally getting to go against the defense in real time, it's kind of fun to showcase it.”

Lockie didn't have many chances to showcase his skills in games the last two years. He enters 2015 with career numbers of 29-of-41 passing for 264 yards and a touchdown, with one interception. That's an efficiency rating of 128.0, but also a small enough body of work to wonder how Lockie might handle the job full-time – particularly playing in the long shadow cast by Mariota.

But there have been glimpses of how things might play out. Lockie's two most extended appearances as a sophomore were against South Dakota and Wyoming; he'd face tougher competition week in and week out as the starter in 2015, but a combined 17-of-20 showing for 185 yards and a touchdown in those two games provided a hint of what Lockie might be able to do if given the chance to find his rhythm in the UO offense.

And then there was spring practice. After 14 workouts running the No. 1 offense, Lockie went out in the spring game and finished 9-for-9 passing, for 223 yards and three touchdowns. He benefitted from the skill of Oregon's receivers on a few catch-and-run plays, but that will be no different for Oregon's starter in games this fall.

“Jeff from fall last year to Jeff at the end of spring this year, two totally different players,” Hunt said. “Carries himself more confident. And that's what we need.”

Lockie said nobody needed to tell him his demeanor needed to be different this fall. He knows all eyes are on him, and has adjusted accordingly.

He took cues from his close friend Mariota. “How you handle that much attention and success like he did is probably something I'll remember for the rest of my life,” Lockie said.

Some have wondered how tough it might have been for Lockie to languish on the bench playing behind Mariota the last two years. He acknowledged that college can be a game of “musical chairs” for some players looking for opportunities, but said he never considered transferring.

“I came here for a reason,” Lockie said. “I wanted to be a part of this. I loved Coach Helfrich and what he was doing, and Coach Kelly. There's no reason for me to leave when I like where I am.”

Lockie said he's traded text messages with Adams, and anticipates a friendly competition should one develop later this month. Until then he continues to be Oregon's figurehead, leading the Ducks behind the scenes and oblivious to the state of limbo in which he's perceived to be operating.

Only by doing that, he knows, will he have the chance to win the right to lead Oregon onto the field for its first snap Sept. 5 against Eastern Washington.

“I think that's something every kid dreams about, growing up,” Lockie said. “But you try to think of it no different than a practice rep or reps you've taken in a game. You're playing football. You're thinking about the 11 guys out there, the defense, and one play at a time.”

Block out the noise and go about your job, in other words. Something Lockie has become adept at this offseason.