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One of the more intriguing storylines taking place during the Oregon Ducks' 2026 spring practices is within the offensive trenches.
While the center and right guard positions are essentially settled, with Iapani Laloulu and Dave Iuli returning as starters, the left tackle, left guard and right tackle spots will have new starters with the departures of Isaiah World, Emmanuel Pregnon and Alex Harkey.
For a squad that has been named a Joe Moore Award semifinalist in each of the last five seasons, and was a finalist in 2025, there's pressure to fill those spots with elite players. With spring practices taking place, competition is of utmost importance in determining who will get the nod at those three spots this fall.
According to Oregon offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer, the competition — which is a mix of players who've waited their turn with talented youngsters — is making everyone involved better.
"I think there's a lot of competition, and there's been some guys that have been here that are chomping at the bit," Mehringer told reporters on Monday. "They're looking for their opportunity. And I think there's some young guys in there that have shown, hey, these guys can do some things. Don't think that we'll know the answer to that, probably until the middle of August of what we think the five are going to be."
Beginning at arguably the most important piece of the offensive line, the left tackle spot has two guys competing for one spot. Redshirt sophomore Fox Crader waited his turn last season, operating largely as a depth piece behind World. He did, however, come in against the USC Trojans late in the season due to injury and impressed, putting himself on track to start once World departed. But Addison, a four-star and the No. 15 offensive tackle in the 2025 class, is seen as a competent challenger.
Meanwhile, there are big shoes to fill at the left guard spot after Pregnon produced a first-team All-American season. Redshirt freshman Douglus Utu and redshirt senior Kawika Rogers are viewed as the main contenders and an example of a clear distinction between waiting their turn (Rogers) and the talented youngster (Utu).
At right tackle, Gernorris Wilson has spent three seasons in the Oregon program and performed admirably well in spot-starter duties last season, but suffered an injury against Iowa that has him still rehabbing during spring practices. In his place, both redshirt sophomore Trent Ferguson, a former three-star recruit, and true freshman four-star Tommy Tofi are competing.
The right tackle spot is certainly one to watch, as either Ferguson or Tofi could gain momentum that proves too much for Wilson to overcome once he returns from injury.
Despite the expectations of those certain players in competition, it's not impossible for an accomplished name like Michael Bennett or the uber talented Immanuel Iheancho to emerge in the fall.
"You know, you go back even to like Josh Connerly, his freshman year," Mehringer said. "He was the sixth, and he's pretty good. So I think that we'll see, you know. I think that the competition in that room, the competition at any position, is healthy."
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon OC Drew Mehringer gives updated look at O-Line position battles
Continue reading...
While the center and right guard positions are essentially settled, with Iapani Laloulu and Dave Iuli returning as starters, the left tackle, left guard and right tackle spots will have new starters with the departures of Isaiah World, Emmanuel Pregnon and Alex Harkey.
For a squad that has been named a Joe Moore Award semifinalist in each of the last five seasons, and was a finalist in 2025, there's pressure to fill those spots with elite players. With spring practices taking place, competition is of utmost importance in determining who will get the nod at those three spots this fall.
According to Oregon offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer, the competition — which is a mix of players who've waited their turn with talented youngsters — is making everyone involved better.
"I think there's a lot of competition, and there's been some guys that have been here that are chomping at the bit," Mehringer told reporters on Monday. "They're looking for their opportunity. And I think there's some young guys in there that have shown, hey, these guys can do some things. Don't think that we'll know the answer to that, probably until the middle of August of what we think the five are going to be."
Beginning at arguably the most important piece of the offensive line, the left tackle spot has two guys competing for one spot. Redshirt sophomore Fox Crader waited his turn last season, operating largely as a depth piece behind World. He did, however, come in against the USC Trojans late in the season due to injury and impressed, putting himself on track to start once World departed. But Addison, a four-star and the No. 15 offensive tackle in the 2025 class, is seen as a competent challenger.
Meanwhile, there are big shoes to fill at the left guard spot after Pregnon produced a first-team All-American season. Redshirt freshman Douglus Utu and redshirt senior Kawika Rogers are viewed as the main contenders and an example of a clear distinction between waiting their turn (Rogers) and the talented youngster (Utu).
At right tackle, Gernorris Wilson has spent three seasons in the Oregon program and performed admirably well in spot-starter duties last season, but suffered an injury against Iowa that has him still rehabbing during spring practices. In his place, both redshirt sophomore Trent Ferguson, a former three-star recruit, and true freshman four-star Tommy Tofi are competing.
The right tackle spot is certainly one to watch, as either Ferguson or Tofi could gain momentum that proves too much for Wilson to overcome once he returns from injury.
Despite the expectations of those certain players in competition, it's not impossible for an accomplished name like Michael Bennett or the uber talented Immanuel Iheancho to emerge in the fall.
"You know, you go back even to like Josh Connerly, his freshman year," Mehringer said. "He was the sixth, and he's pretty good. So I think that we'll see, you know. I think that the competition in that room, the competition at any position, is healthy."
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon OC Drew Mehringer gives updated look at O-Line position battles
Continue reading...
