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Spring Football Practice: 3/16/23, Day 1

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There are 15 spring practices scheduled this season. Each practice will have it's own thread and all articles in that thread will only pertain to that particular practice.

 

This should help in keeping information organized and easier for our readers to navigate.

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Oregon Spring Preview: Ducks Searching for a New Alpha at Cornerback

The Ducks have a talented group but need someone to step up with Christian Gonzalez likely a first-round pick in next month's NFL Draft.
 
Next Man Up
Meet the 10 scholarship cornerbacks expected to be on the roster for spring ball.

 

trikweze-bridges-stanford.jpg

 

https://www.si.com/college/oregon/football/oregon-spring-preview-ducks-searching-for-a-new-alpha-at-cornerback

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Bennett Williams highlights what Evan Williams will bring to Oregon's defense in 2023

 

When asked which of the players on Oregon’s current roster he’s most excited to watch next season, former Ducks’ defensive back Bennett Williams gave a slight smile before responding.

 

“There’s a kid with the last name Williams,” he quipped.

 

That, of course, would be Evan Williams, the younger brother of Bennett, who spent the past four seasons starring at Fresno State before opting to transfer to Oregon during the offseason.

 

During his time with the Bulldogs, Evan flashed an exciting mix of physicality and football IQ while lining up all over the field. According to PFF, he played 251 snaps at free safety, 196 at box safety, and 91 at nickel corner last fall.

 

His utilization within Fresno State’s defense and statistical production is similar to what Bennett Williams accomplished with the Ducks in 2022.

 

WWW.ON3.COM

Former Oregon standout Bennett Williams spoke glowingly about what his brother, Evan Williams, will bring to the Ducks' defense.
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What's the season-defining game for each Top 25 team next season?

 

From the opening week matchups of blue bloods to the November conference battles defining the college football landscape, a season-defining game can come at any point.

 

Last season, fans were treated to Ohio State outlasting Notre Dame, Georgia announcing its intention of winning back-to-back titles with a 49-3 rout of Oregon, and Florida State reasserting its place in the top 25 all within the first week of action. Of course these were followed up with Tennessee's defeat of Alabama, Georgia's rout of Tennessee and Michigan's second straight statement against Ohio State on the way to the College Football Playoff.

 

A season-defining game can be previously circled on the calendar for months or come out of nowhere in college football but these are the ones our writers have their eyes on for each Way-Too-Early Top 25 team this upcoming fall.

 

WWW.ESPN.COM

These are the biggest games for each of the Way-Too-Early Top 25 teams next season.

 

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Oregon Football: Ducks' 2023 Spring Preview

Quarterback Bo Nix and the Ducks' offense will be under new direction this spring, among some other changes taking place.
 

bonix_2022_usatoday.webp

 

https://athlonsports.com/college-football/oregon-football-ducks-2023-spring-preview

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Oregon Ducks spring practice observations: 26 newcomers on roster, multiple departures

 

Oregon opened its second spring practice under Dan Lanning with 26 new scholarship players on the roster.

 

Nearly all the new players were on the outdoor fields at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex Thursday morning, with multiple limited offensive linemen and a couple of departures from last season.

 

Nine of 10 FBS & FCS transfers are on campus, with Tysheem Johnson being the only one yet to arrive.

 

The numbers for the new transfers and freshmen are: Jordan Burch (1), Jestin Jacobs (4), Traeshon Holden (5), Matayo Uiagaleilei (10), Khyree Jackson (15), Tez Johnson (15), Austin Novosad (16), Kenyon Sadiq (18), Tyler Turner (19), Dante Dowdell (24), Cole Martin (25), Jayden Limar (27), Evan Williams (33), Connor Soelle (42), Teitum Tuioti (44), Luke Dunne (45), Junior Angilau (54), Jaeden Moore (56), Tevita Pome’e (59), Ajani Cornelius (65), George Silva (71), Iapani Laloulu (72), Gernorris Wilson (78), Ashton Cozart (80), Johnny Bowens III (91), My’Keil Gardner (93), Grant Meadors (93) and Nick Duzansky (96).

 

A few returning players changed jersey numbers, including Jeff Bassa (2 from 33), Jamal Hill (9 from 19), Luke Basso (43 from 57) and DJ Beckum (35 from 31).

 

WWW.OREGONLIVE.COM

Nearly all the new players were on the outdoor fields at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex Thursday morning, with multiple limited offensive linemen and a couple of departures from last season.

 

Spring Ball Takeaways: Ducks open 2023 season with new faces, new energy

 
DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM

Spring ball is finally here. Some of our biggest takeaways from the first day of practice in Eugene.

 

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Photo Gallery: Ducks return to field for first spring practice of 2023

 

DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM

First spring practice in Eugene. Feels equivalent to the first day of school.

 

 

247SPORTS.COM

Thursday marked the first spring football practice of the year for the Oregon Ducks. With 26 new scholarship players and several new coaches, there were plenty of fresh

 

 

Jersey Numbers for New Oregon Ducks as Spring Practice Begins

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https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/college/article273232615.html#storylink=rss

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5 Oregon players with most to gain, lose during spring practice 2023

 

WWW.OREGONLIVE.COM

5 Oregon players with the most to gain or lose during spring practice, with an emphasis on potential to see a dramatic movement on the depth chart

 

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Notable quotes from Dan Lanning following Oregon's first spring practice

 

The second year of Dan Lanning’s tenure in Eugene with the Oregon Ducks officially started on Thursday morning, with the team taking the field for their first spring practice of the year.

 

It’s a season that has some high expectations from fans and the college football world at large, with quarterback Bo Nix coming back for one final season, boasting aspirations of being named a Heisman Trophy finalist when all is said and done

 

After notching 10 wins in his first year with the Ducks, Lanning knows that he will need a strong second act in order to keep the momentum rolling in Eugene. As the Ducks continue to work towards the annual spring game on April 29th, we got a chance to catch up with the head coach following the first of 15 practices. Here are some of his most notable quotes from the interview:
 

DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM

“I haven’t been around a lot of spring practices that weren’t good on day one.” Dan Lanning broke down the Ducks’ first practice on Thursday.

 

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Oregon Ducks defensive tackle Maceal Afaese medically retires

 

WWW.OREGONLIVE.COM

The 6-foot-4, 259-pound Afaese was entering his fourth-year sophomore season

 

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WATCH Dan Lanning: "Really good day one."

 

Head Coach Dan Lanning meets with the media following the first spring football practice of 2023

 

 

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Lanning says staff will be 'conscientious' of Bo Nix's spring practice workload

 

Oregon's coaching and medical staffs will work together to be "conscientious" of Bo Nix's spring practice workload, head coach Dan Lanning said after Thursday's first day of workouts.

 

The starting quarterback's health will be at the forefront, Lanning added, especially after an ankle injury eliminated Nix's ability to run during the disappointing final three-game stretch of the regular season.

 

“You've got to be smart, but the only way you get better at playing football is playing football, right?" Lanning said when asked about his quarterback's spring rep count.

 

"You don’t go out there and not practice to get better. So we have to be conscientious of our reps. We’re like that with every single position. That’s where we lean on our medical staff and people that are in this organization to point us in the right direction.”

 

247SPORTS.COM

Lanning says staff will be 'conscientious' of Bo Nix's spring practice workload

 

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Observations from Oregon's first spring practice

 

On Thursday, the opening 15 minutes of practice were open to reporters and photographers. During that time, the Ducks went through stretching and warmups, special teams drills, and positional work.

 

There is a great section about punters and kickers, especially Australian punter Luke Dunne. 

 

After just a few minutes of Oregon’s first spring practice, it was immediately apparent why Lanning and special teams coach Joe Lorig opted to add Dunne.

 

The 6-foot-5, 220-pound freshman boomed punts throughout the entire special team’s portion of practice. The distance and hangtime on his kicks were markedly better than the results that Oregon’s punters produced during similar drills last season.

 

WWW.ON3.COM

The Oregon Ducks kicked off spring ball Thursday at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex outdoor fields under sunny skies.

 

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Oregon Football Spring Camp Updates: Practice One

 

Media was able to attend the first 18 minutes of practice which included dynamic and static stretching along with special teams drill and individual unit work before being ushered out.

 

While players worked on special teams on one field, the other field saw two new hires lead their position groups.

 

New offensive coordinator and QB coach Will Stein and new offensive line coach A'Lique Terry managed their groups and utilized new drills and techniques than their predecessors during the portions media watched. Terry in particular deviated his opening periods from how Adrian Klemm had handled his.

 

Special teams feature more newness. While Joe Lorig returns as special teams coordinator, the team has brought in Australian punter Luke Dunne along with a handful of walk-on long snappers, punters and kickers. A few of the team's return men on Thursday were also new, as Tez Johnson and Cole Martin fielded punts.

 

Read on for more observations...

 

247SPORTS.COM

Oregon Football Spring Camp Updates: Practice One
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New coaches make debut at Oregon, enhancing how Oregon can practice

 

"The one thing you'll notice about practice this year that's different than practice last year is we have a lot more two-spot drills," said Lanning.

 

"So rather than getting 11 better, or 22 better, we're able to get 44 better, or 88 better because you're doing it on two fields. We're getting a lot of guys that can get a lot of reps."

 

The Ducks have had to replace multiple assistant coaches from last year's roster this spring. Offensive coordinator Will Stein is in place for Kenny Dillingham who became Arizona State's head coach. Matthew Powledge left Oregon to become Baylor's Defensive Coordinator and the Ducks hired Chris Hampton. Then just before spring ball started A'lique Terry was hired to replace the departed offensive line coach Adrian Klemm who took a job in the NFL.

 

"I think we have a structure in place, the organization in place, where these guys were able to come in and they're great coaches," said Lanning. "We were able to go hire elite coaches. You know, we had some great guys here and we replaced them with great guys that all bring phenomenal talents. But these guys are veterans and understand how to coach.

 

247SPORTS.COM

The Oregon Duck football roster features over 25 newcomers this spring, making up over a third of the entire roster at this time...
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Josh Conerly highlighted by Dan Lanning as standout player early in spring ball

 

Quarterback Bo Nix is among the early Heisman Trophy favorites, and there’s hope that wide receiver Troy Franklin can get into the conversation for the Belitnikoff Award when all is said and done.

 

One of the youngest players on the roster with high expectations early on, though, is offensive tackle, Josh Conerly. After coming to Eugene as the No. 1 prospect in Oregon’s 2022 recruiting class — the highest-rated OT to ever sign with the Ducks — there is an expectation that Conerly will immediately step into the starting lineup for Oregon this season, anchoring the left side of the line and immediately becoming the next great tackle to play for the Ducks, following in the footsteps of guys like Penei Sewell and Tyrell Crosby.

 

DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM

“This guy’s working his tail off in absolutely everything that he does.” Dan Lanning had high praise for OT Josh Conerly.
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WATCH: Day 1 Highlights

 

 

Click on pics to enlarge

 

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Recruiting becomes key for Ducks as spring practice begins

 

A group of highly-rated recruits was in attendance, watching practice from the sideline and taking in the cool morning air in Eugene. While many recruiting visits are centered around big games, whether it be the spring game or something in the regular season, Lanning remarked after practice that getting prospects in town to watch practice is among the most valuable things they can do as a staff.

 

“Our best pitch in recruiting is when people come and watch that practice and they see the way we work,” Lanning said. “They see how we develop talent and they see how much our guys enjoy practice. So it’s really important for us to take advantage of this beautiful place. Get people here where they can experience it firsthand and see it for themselves.”

 

DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM

“Our best pitch in recruiting is when people come and watch that practice and they see the way we work.”

 

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Dan Lanning details what he's looking for in newcomers during spring ball

 

With so many new faces the Ducks are working on getting them up to speed and then adjusting quickly to the way the Ducks operate.

 

"Are we playing fast? Do they understand what we're trying to accomplish? Because I think you want to see what guys can play football," Lanning said of what he's looking to see from a group of newcomers that tops over 25 names. "We're not out here trying to out-scheme each other right now. It's not about who can draw up the best play. It's about seeing who can play football."

 

247SPORTS.COM

As Oregon continues its run of spring football practices, the Ducks are working in a large number of newcomers who have been...
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Dan Lanning mentions Josh Conerly Jr., among others, as locker room leader early in spring

 

After Oregon's first practice, head coach Dan Lanning recognized one of the younger returnees as someone who's stepped up from a leadership perspective: Josh Conerly Jr.

 

"It'd be hard to mention one or two, but a guy that really stands out to me going into year two is Josh Conerly," said Lanning. "This guy's working his tail off in everything that he absolutely does. The way he stretches, just the way he approaches everything, his mentality in the classroom as well."

 

Heading into the 2023 season, Conerly Jr. is competing for a starting role on the offensive line as the Ducks lost four starters from last season in Forsyth, Walk, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, and T.J. Bass. Oregon added players to the mix through the portal and high school signees, but Conerly Jr. comes in with the reputation and talent to give anyone competition.

 

Lanning also mentioned a few other players for their leadership qualities this offseason, as Jamal Hill, Jeffrey Bassa, and Bo Nix also stood out.

 

247SPORTS.COM

The end of Oregon's 2022 season signified the end of an era for many of Oregon's leaders in the locker room. Names like Alex Forsyth, Ryan Walk, Cam McCormick, Noah Sewell,
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