Pennsylvania Duck Moderator No. 1 Share Posted January 16, 2023 Erik Skopil is writing a series of articles regarding the Ducks various position groups. Those articles in that series will be posted here. His first article is below. The state of Oregon's QB room as the 2023 roster remains in flux There isn't a lot to say here. Nix didn't return to Oregon for 2023 to sit on the pine, and no one can argue with a straight face that he should. This does feel like a massive offseason and fall for Thompson though. A third full year of college should be enough for the borderline five-star recruit to exhibit some of the promise that made him one. Austin Novosad is already enrolled and on campus for the start of the spring quarter. The jump start to the collegiate process allows him to take part in spring football where he'll compete with Thompson to be the team's No. 2 QB. The state of Oregon's QB room right now as the 2023 roster remains in flux 247SPORTS.COM The state of Oregon's QB room right now as the 2023 roster remains in flux Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennsylvania Duck Author Moderator No. 2 Share Posted January 17, 2023 The state of Oregon's RB room right now as the 2023 roster remains in flux The Ducks are set to bring back one of the most explosive backfields in the nation in 2023 led by soon-to-be junior Bucky Irving. Noah Whittington, a more than capable second runner this past season, will also be back to provide the backfield with even more firepower. The team's short yardage and goal line runner, Jordan James, is also set to return. The Ducks had to hold off numerous SEC programs to earn the signature of Mississippi native Dante Dowdell, and were able to flip Jayden Limar from Notre Dame on signing day. Keeping Dowdell in the fold was a major boon for Locklyn, and he arrives in Eugene as the school's highest-rated running back since Dollars signed in 2019. Both Limar and Dowdell have already enrolled at Oregon, and according to an interview given by Limar at the Polynesian Bowl on Monday, will be roommates to start their careers. With both players on campus, the Ducks will have five scholarship running backs for spring football. The state of Oregon's RB room right now as the 2023 roster remains in flux 247SPORTS.COM The state of Oregon's RB room right now as the 2023 roster remains in flux 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennsylvania Duck Author Moderator No. 3 Share Posted January 18, 2023 How Ducks' safety room looks with Evan Williams transfer, return of Jamal Hill, Steve Stephens IV One of the bigger question marks on the Oregon Ducks’ roster going into the 2023 offseason was on the defense, particularly when it came to the secondary. On Tuesday afternoon, we got a much clearer look at what the safety position will look like going into the fall. The Oregonian’s James Crepea reported just after noon yesterday that both Jamal Hill and Steve Stephens would be returning for another year in Eugene. This will be Hill’s fifth season with the Ducks, and Stephens’ sixth. Here’s where the depth of the Ducks’ safety position currently stands... Oregon Football: Ducks outlook at safety position ahead of offseason DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM With Jamal Hill and Steve Stephens coming back in 2023, plus Evan Williams’ transfer, how does the depth at Oregon’s safety... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennsylvania Duck Author Moderator No. 4 Share Posted January 19, 2023 The state of Oregon's TE room right now as the 2023 roster remains in flux There's been more turnover at this position this offseason than there are players set to return. Terrance Ferguson and Patrick Herbert will be on the roster again in 2023, but Cam McCormick, Moliki Matavao and Terrell Tilmon have each hit the portal and landed at new schools. Four-star Kenyon Sadiq emerged as one of the nation's fastest rising prospects this offseason, and the Ducks pounced and pulled a stunner when they landed his commitment unexpectedly in August. At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, Sadiq is an explosive athlete, who has also excelled on the track. The Ducks remain players for five-star athlete Nyckyoles Harbor, who could play wide receiver or tight end in college, and could also seek an addition through the portal too. The state of Oregon's TE room right now as the 2023 roster remains in flux 247SPORTS.COM The state of Oregon's TE room right now as the 2023 roster remains in flux Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennsylvania Duck Author Moderator No. 5 Share Posted January 20, 2023 The state of Oregon's OL room right now as the 2023 roster remains in flux The collection of linemen protecting Bo Nix in 2023 will look a lot different than the one that allowed a school-record five sacks this past season. See the attached article for all that is new with this group... The state of Oregon's OL room right now as the 2023 roster remains in flux 247SPORTS.COM The state of Oregon's OL room right now as the 2023 roster remains in flux Oregon Football: Position battle on offensive line to draw eyeballs DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM The Ducks have a clean slate when it comes to the starting offensive line. Watching those guys battle for snaps is going to be fascinating. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirklandduck Moderator No. 6 Share Posted January 20, 2023 OL is probably the group that will have the most inconsistency the first half of the season while the new starters settle into their roles and develop chemistry. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennsylvania Duck Author Moderator No. 7 Share Posted January 23, 2023 The state of Oregon's DL room right now as the 2023 roster remains in flux Nearly every player who could've returned in 2023 has chosen do so. Starters Brandon Dorlus and Casey Rogers, key reserves Taki Taimani, Keyon Ware-Hudson, Treven Ma'ae and Mase Funa. Popo Aumavae has also received a waiver from the NCAA to return, providing the Ducks with even more experience up front. The Ducks have a handful of other players back as well. Jake Shipley played sparingly as a sophomore, while Sua'va Poti and Maceal Afaese missed the entire season with injury. Freshmen Ben Roberts, Sir Mells, Anthony Jones and Emar'rion Winston return after redshirting in 2022. The lone portal addition comes in the form of former five-star Jordan Burch of South Carolina. Add to this 10 new recruits from the class of 2023, five-star Matayo Uiagalelei, four-stars Johnny Bowens, A'Mauri Washington, Ashton Porter, Terrance Green and Blake Purchase, with three-star signees My'Keil Gardner, Teitum Tuioti, Tevita Pome'e and Jaedon Moore. This is a loaded position group... The state of Oregon's DL room right now as the 2023 roster remains in flux 247SPORTS.COM The state of Oregon's DL room right now as the 2023 roster remains in flux 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Fischer Administrator No. 8 Share Posted January 23, 2023 On 1/23/2023 at 1:30 PM, Pennsylvania Duck said: This is a loaded position group... Never, has it been this loaded. I thank the coaches for creating depth never seen at Oregon before on the defensive line... Mr. FishDuck Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennsylvania Duck Author Moderator No. 9 Share Posted January 24, 2023 The state of Oregon's LB room following the portal window's closing Jeffrey Bassa will return after finishing second on the team in tackles (62) and fifth in defensive snaps (647). Keith Brown started beside Bassa in the Holiday Bowl and will be back to push for a full-time starting role. The only other returning players are redshirt freshmen Devon Jackson and Harrison Taggart. Oregon has added two transfer portal linebackers and one prep linebacker so far this offseason. Iowa transfer Jestin Jacobs and Arizona State's Connor Soelle will be counted on to compete for starting spots. Jerry Mixon, a three-star linebacker from San Francisco, will join the team from the prep ranks. The spring outlook could have both starting spots be open for business this spring... The state of Oregon's LB room following the portal window's closing 247SPORTS.COM The state of Oregon's LB room following the portal window's closing Oregon Ducks reloading at inside linebacker this spring WWW.OREGONLIVE.COM Jeff Bassa and Keith Brown are back and enter spring atop the depth chart with Jestin Jacobs and Connor Soelle joining the room from Iowa and Arizona State, respectively. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennsylvania Duck Author Moderator No. 10 Share Posted January 25, 2023 The state of Oregon's CB room following the portal window's closing Christian Gonzalez acts as the only corner to leave the program since the season's conclusion. The other six scholarship corners all remain on the roster. Trikweze Bridges started opposite of Gonzalez all season. Dontae Manning notably started the Holiday Bowl. Jahlil Florence pushed Manning for reps all season, and will look to do so again. Also back are Darren Barkins, Avante Dickerson and Jalil Tucker. None of those three played regularly with Barkins' 29 snaps tops among them. Alabama transfer Khyree Jackson is the lone portal addition and will push for a starting spot right away. The Ducks also signed four high school corners in December. Daylen Austin, a top 150 recruit, is the group's headliner after flipping from LSU. He is joined by fellow four-star Cole Martin, Demetrice Martin's son, along with three-star prospects Solomon Davis and Collin Gill. Davis and Gill both have the positional versatility to play other positions on defense. Austin, Davis and Gill have yet to enroll. The state of Oregon's CB room following the portal window's closing 247SPORTS.COM The state of Oregon's CB room following the portal window's closing Oregon Football: Ducks to see real battle at cornerback position DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM Oregon needs to fill the void left by corner Christian Gonzalez, but the Ducks have plenty of exciting options to choose from. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennsylvania Duck Author Moderator No. 11 Share Posted January 26, 2023 The state of Oregon's safety room following the portal window's closing The trio of Jamal Hill, Steve Stephens IV and Bryan Addison have each elected to use the NCAA's COVID-19 exemption to remain with the program in 2023. Reserves JJ Greenfield (a walk-on), Daymon David and Khamari Terrell each played sparingly last season, and remain on the roster with spring approaching, while Trejon Williams is back after redshirting last season. The Ducks have added two talented players from the transfer portal to shore up any holes in the secondary. Ole Miss transfer Tysheem Johnson committed on Wednesday, and appears to be a great fit to replace Williams at nickel, while Evan Williams, Williams' younger brother, has also joined the team after starring at Fresno State the past two seasons. Both players are expected to compete for starting spots this fall. Oregon signed four-star safety prospects Tyler Turner and Kodi Decambra in December. Turner has already enrolled in class. While both players have intriguing upside, redshirt years could be in store for both with all the veteran experience on the roster. The state of Oregon's safety room following the portal window's closing 247SPORTS.COM The state of Oregon's safety room following the portal window's closing Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennsylvania Duck Author Moderator No. 12 Share Posted January 27, 2023 The state of Oregon's special teams following the portal window's closing Camden Lewis will have a new combination of players snapping and holding the ball for him in 2023. After a rocky start to his career, Lewis has emerged as one of the nation's most accurate kickers. Andrew Boyle, the second scholarship returner, handled kickoffs for most of 2022 and will be back to resume that responsibility if called upon. Also back are a pair of walk-on punters in Alex Bales and Ross James. Walk-on Luke Basso acted as Karsten Battles' backup long snapper a season ago, and could be in line to take over during his redshirt sophomore season in 2023. Aussie punter Luke Dunne is the only scholarship addition, and will immediately enter the punting competition. The school also confirmed that place kicker Grant Meadors and long snapper Nick Duznasky will join the team in non-scholarship roles. The state of Oregon's special teams following the portal window's closing 247SPORTS.COM The state of Oregon's special teams following the portal window's closing Oregon Ducks have much to address on special teams beginning in spring WWW.OREGONLIVE.COM After the season-long issues at punter proved so costly last season that role will be more closely watched than usual. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennsylvania Duck Author Moderator No. 13 Share Posted January 27, 2023 Since this series of articles has reviewed all these position groups, I am including this article here. Predicting Oregon's defensive two-deep for the 2023 season The timeline for entering the transfer portal is over. Players can still land at a new program, but the programs themselves are shut down. Oregon's transfer portal additions are now clear cut, and their losses are even more straightforward. With Spring football not beginning until sometime in March or April, it's time to take a crack at what the defensive two-deep will look like come September. Let's see if you agree... Predicting Oregon's defensive two-deep for the 2023 season 247SPORTS.COM Predicting Oregon's defensive two-deep for the 2023 season Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJDuck Moderator No. 14 Share Posted March 7, 2023 Thinner Oregon Ducks tight end room should mean more opportunities beginning in spring We’re taking a look at each position group as Oregon prepares to open spring practice on March 16. The first of a 10-part series looks at the tight ends. Oregon’s tight end room entering spring practice is considerably different than last season. The transfers of Cam McCormick, Moliki Matavao and Terrell Tilmon leave the Ducks with Terrance Ferguson and Patrick Herbert returning and freshman Kenyon Sadiq joining Add to the personnel turnover the change to Will Stein’s offense and the Ducks will have a different look at the position and opportunities should be abundant. Thinner Oregon Ducks tight end room should mean more opportunities beginning in spring WWW.OREGONLIVE.COM The transfers of Cam McCormick, Moliki Matavao and Terrell Tilmon leave the Ducks with Terrance Ferguson and Patrick Herbert returning and freshman Kenyon Sadiq joining them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJDuck Moderator No. 15 Share Posted March 8, 2023 Oregon Spring Ball Position Battles: WR room should be main attraction For many reasons, the 2022 season felt like a breath of fresh air for Oregon Duck fans, offensively speaking at the very least. After a few years of gritting through the vanilla offensive scheme that came with Mario Cristobal and his tenure in Eugene, Duck fans were treated to a new system, headed up by Kenny Dillingham. This hurry-up, no-huddle (HUNH) system threw a litany of new elements at the Ducks, including a few things that we hadn’t seen for quite some time in Eugene, like QB snaps from under center, and the reintroduction of the deep ball. It’s that latter half of the equation that really got fans buzzing inside Autzen Stadium. With deep passing back in the mix, the Ducks saw a resurgence at the wide receiver position. No longer were wideouts confined to catching short screens or 5-yard curls over the middle, but they could open up and run, trying to get behind the defense and take the top off. This gave us the emergence of Troy Franklin, who quickly became the team’s top receiver, and one of the best receivers in the Pac-12. While we don’t expect that to change in 2023, what will be interesting to see is who steps up alongside Franklin. Chase Cota was a solid piece last year, but he graduated this off-season. Dont’e Thornton had his moments, but a transfer to Tennessee after the season left his spot on the depth chart vacant. Kris Hutson is still on the team, and he likely has a leg up when it comes to divvying up target shares. However, there is a lot of new competition that he will have to hold off. The Ducks were active in the transfer portal at the WR position this offseason, adding proven players like Traeshon Holden and Tez Johnson to the mix. They also have a handful of incredibly talented, but unproven players who came to Eugene over the past 2 seasons as recruits. Guys like Kyler Kasper, Justius Lowe, and Ashton Cozart will all vie for targets this spring, while 5-star WR Jurrion Dickey will work to state his case for playing time when he arrives in Eugene this summer. Oregon Football: Previewing WR position battle ahead of spring ball DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM There’s a ton of talent at the WR position in Eugene. Watching players jockey for position on the depth chart this spring will be fun. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennsylvania Duck Author Moderator No. 16 Share Posted March 11, 2023 Oregon Spring Ball Position Battles: CB full of talent, short on experience The cornerback position is often called an island because it’s the one place on the football field where it’s you and the other guy and no one else. In 2023, the Oregon Ducks will have plenty of corners that possess pure talent, but they lack the experience a coaching staff prefers. They’re going to get that experience this year no matter what. Oregon is definitely going to miss all-conference performer Christian Gonzalez, who will be a first-round draft pick in April. Not only will it miss his on-the-field abilities, but also his leadership qualities off the field. For those battling it out to be his replacement, showing leadership could be the determining factor of who sees the more playing time. Of course, coming down with a few interceptions would help as well. Here are the likely candidates to battle it out over the next month or so in Eugene. Oregon Football: Ducks to see real battle at cornerback position DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM Oregon needs to fill the void left by corner Christian Gonzalez, but the Ducks have plenty of exciting options to choose from. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennsylvania Duck Author Moderator No. 17 Share Posted March 12, 2023 Oregon Spring Preview: Tight End Depth Takes a Hit Following Departures After years of the group being limited to blocking in a run-heavy offense under Mario Cristobal, the tight ends were utilized in a more creative and effective way by mixing in a balance of run and pass plays. They caught jump balls in the end zone, short passes over the middle and were flushed out to the flats. Now the Ducks hope to continue that growth under Drew Mehringer, but his room looks quite a bit different. Moliki Matavao decided to move south and stay in the Pac-12 by transferring to UCLA and Cam McCormick reunited with Mario Cristobal by going across the country to play for Miami. They each caught 10 passes last year and were reliable in-line blockers, something the Ducks will need to replace with both of them gone. Meet Oregon's three scholarship tight ends entering spring football. Get caught up with the TE room in this article from Ducks Digest. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJDuck Moderator No. 18 Share Posted March 12, 2023 Oregon Spring Ball Position Battles: How will rebuilt linebacker crew look in 2023? The Oregon Ducks went into the 2022 season with what many considered the best linebacker group in the nation, led by veteran Noah Sewell and breakout candidate Justin Flowe. Unfortunately, Flowe never reached his potential thanks in part to injuries, and while Sewell was solid – the unit as a whole was disappointing. Now both Sewell and Flowe are out the door, Sewell to join his brother Penei in the NFL and Flowe to the Arizona Wildcats via the NCAA transfer portal. However, Oregon’s linebacker group in 2023 is still expected to produce for coach Dan Lanning, with a few veteran returners like Jeffrey Bassa, transfer portal additions, and up and coming recruits ready to contribute in Eugene. Spring is the chance for some of those younger players to earn a role this fall, and it gives those transfer additions a chance to acclimate to a new defensive system before the season gets underway. Below is a look at the likely candidates to battle for a significant role on Lanning’s defense this spring. Oregon Spring Ball Position Battles: How will rebuilt LB crew look? DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM The Oregon Ducks lost a lot of talent in the linebacker room this offseason, but they have plenty of options to fill those roles in camp. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennsylvania Duck Author Moderator No. 19 Share Posted March 13, 2023 Oregon Spring Preview: Ducks Searching for New No. 2 Wide Receiver Troy Franklin is a Biletnikoff caliber wideout but the team needs someone to step up after Chase Cota's departure. Franklin may have the makings of a first-round NFL Draft pick. but there's far less certainty behind him. Add to that that five wide receivers either transferred or graduated and you're looking at a very different room. Dont'e Thornton (Tennessee) and Seven McGee (Jackson State) both found new homes. Chase Cota graduated and both Isaah Crocker and Isaiah Brevard entered the transfer portal. Let's take a look at where the wide receiver room stands heading into spring practice next week. Click to read about the WR Room in this article from Ducks Digest. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennsylvania Duck Author Moderator No. 20 Share Posted March 15, 2023 Oregon Spring Preview: Ducks Searching for a New Alpha at Cornerback Last season, Dan Lanning and the rest of the defensive staff could ask Christian Gonzalez to lock down one side of the field each week, but you weren't sure what you were going to get from the rest of the group. Now he's slated to go in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft and Demetrice Martin needs a new alpha in his room. Meet the 10 scholarship cornerbacks expected to be on the roster for spring ball. Find out who the new alpha CB could be from the article in Ducks Digest. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJDuck Moderator No. 21 Share Posted March 22, 2023 Oregon Spring Position Battles: Transfers, position changes have all eyes on safety room While we patiently wait for practices to resume, I want to continue our in-depth look at some of the position battles on the roster for Dan Lanning and the rest of the coaching staff to observe over the coming weeks. While nothing will be finalized after spring ball concludes, it will give us all a good chance to look at where some people stand going into the summer months before fall camp starts. We've already looked closely at the offensive line for the Ducks, as well as the wide receivers, cornerbacks, and linebackers. Let's continue our deep dive by turning our focus again to the defensive secondary, this time parsing through the handful of candidates to take over as the starting safeties for the Ducks. Oregon Football: Position battle in safety room could get enticing DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM Between incoming transfers and potential position changes, Oregon’s position battle at safety will be fascinating to watch. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennsylvania Duck Author Moderator No. 22 Share Posted March 29, 2023 Oregon Football 2024 Recruiting Hot Board: Safety The Ducks need some help at safety in 2024 and have plenty of big-time recruits they're after. Safety has been up-and-down at Oregon since the days of Jevon Holland and Verone McKinley III roaming the secondary. It's a priority for new Oregon safeties coach Chris Hampton and the rest of the staff in 2024 and we're looking at the top safeties to know for Oregon Football recruiting. Check out this article by Max Torres and see who the Ducks are targeting in Ducks Digest. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
