- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,129,699
- Reaction score
- 59
Over a dozen spring football practices are in the books for Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks, and the team is now getting set to take the field in Autzen Stadium for the annual spring game on Saturday afternoon. This will be the third official scrimmage for Oregon this spring, but the first played in front of fans and a live television audience.
While this is nothing new for the majority of the Ducks' returning roster, it will be a new experience for many young players fighting for spots on the depth chart. With several months of offseason still ahead, nothing will be set in stone as far as starting spots go following the spring game, but this will offer up a great opportunity to see who is fighting for snaps and where the depth chart stands at this point.
Though we haven't been able to see any practices or scrimmages thus far, talking to players and coaches over the past several weeks has given us a look at who is playing where and which young players are stepping up and potentially grabbing top spots on the depth chart. Here is our prediction of how things will look when we see them on Saturday.
Analysis: Bear Alexander returns for another year and will slot in as the starter once again. Behind him, the depth gets a little bit interesting and hard to forecast this early on. Some early names to look at, though, are Jerome Simmons, Matt Johnson, and Aydin Breland, who can likely slot in across the defensive front.
Analysis: A'Mauri Washington, a projected first-round draft pick in 2025, is back for another year, which is massive for the Ducks. Much like the nose tackle spot, though, things get a bit unclear behind him. With the mass of transfers out at this position, it's unclear who will be his backup. I'm looking at North Carolina transfer D'Antre Robinson, Aydin Breland, and Matt Johnson. Freshman Tony Cumberland was originally on this list, but after being involved in a car accident, he is out for the remainder of the spring season.
Analysis: Matayo Uiagalelei returns for his senior season, which again is a huge win for the Ducks. But, just like on the interior defensive line, there are some questions behind him. The edges are in better shape than the inside, depth-wise, with guys like Elijah Rushing and Tank Jones projected to have an impact, but it will be interesting to see how this depth chart fleshes out in the spring and summer.
Analysis: Once again, Teitum Tuioti returns and provides some massive stability for the Ducks. Behind him, it's not hard to project that Nasir Wyatt is going to step up and have a bigger role, and Tank Jones can likely play in this spot as well.
Analysis: Nasir Wyatt looks primed for a bigger role in this defense, assuming he continues to bulk up a bit this offseason, so I think he will slot in as the starter here, especially with Blake Purchase gone. I also want to see Tank Jones step up into this position as well.
Analysis: There are some questions about the linebacker spots this offseason, with Bryce Boettcher graduating. I expect someone like Devon Jackson to step up and be the guy in one of these spots. The Ducks also have a lot of young and talented players ready to have an impact.
Analysis: After stepping into a starting role this past season, Jerry Mixon projects to be one of the leaders of this defense next year, and potentially the green-dot linebacker that Oregon has been needing over the past couple of years. I am also curious to see what Brayden Platt and Gavin Nix can do with another year of growth under their belts.
Analysis: Ify Obidegwu had a great year in 2025 as one of the starting cornerbacks, and that shouldn't change next year either. He will undoubtedly be pushed by guys like Na'eem Offord, Doran Brew, and Aaron Scott Jr., among others, but that's not a bad thing for the Ducks. The more competition, the better.
Analysis: Brandon Finney was the star of the show this year on Oregon's defense, dominating as a true freshman and earning true freshman All-American honors. He should once again be among the best cornerbacks in the nation next year and lead the Ducks' secondary. Again, I'm curious to watch guys like Scott, Brew, and Benjamin, as well as Na'eem Offord, who may play on the outside or in the nickel.
Analysis: After earning the starting spot this past year alongside Dillon Thieneman, Flowers projects to be one of the best players on Oregon's defense once again next season. He's going to be pushed by former 5-star Trey McNutt, who was injured for much of 2025, but the Ducks' secondary looks to be very strong once again.
Analysis: With Dillon Thieneman going to the NFL draft, Oregon went into the portal and got a great replacement in Koi Perich, from Minnesota. Perich is a rangy safety who will excel in coverage, leading the secondary much like DT did last year. Behind him, I once again expect guys like Peyton Woodyard and Trey McNutt to step up.
Analysis: Oregon went into the portal to land Baylor's Carl Williams IV, who likely will slot into the Nickel position to replace Jadon Canady, who was great for the Ducks this past year. I am also intrigued by Na'eem Offord, who could play in the nickel or out wide, as well as true freshman Davon Benjamin.
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's defensive depth chart projection ahead of Ducks' Spring Game
Continue reading...
While this is nothing new for the majority of the Ducks' returning roster, it will be a new experience for many young players fighting for spots on the depth chart. With several months of offseason still ahead, nothing will be set in stone as far as starting spots go following the spring game, but this will offer up a great opportunity to see who is fighting for snaps and where the depth chart stands at this point.
Though we haven't been able to see any practices or scrimmages thus far, talking to players and coaches over the past several weeks has given us a look at who is playing where and which young players are stepping up and potentially grabbing top spots on the depth chart. Here is our prediction of how things will look when we see them on Saturday.
Nose Tackle
You must be registered for see images attach
- Starter: Bear Alexander
- Backup: Matthew Johnson
- Other Names to Know: Jerome Simmons / Aydin Breland
Analysis: Bear Alexander returns for another year and will slot in as the starter once again. Behind him, the depth gets a little bit interesting and hard to forecast this early on. Some early names to look at, though, are Jerome Simmons, Matt Johnson, and Aydin Breland, who can likely slot in across the defensive front.
Defensive Tackle
You must be registered for see images attach
- Starter: A'Mauri Washington
- Backup: D'Antre Robinson
- Other Names to Know: Matt Johnson / Aydin Breland
Analysis: A'Mauri Washington, a projected first-round draft pick in 2025, is back for another year, which is massive for the Ducks. Much like the nose tackle spot, though, things get a bit unclear behind him. With the mass of transfers out at this position, it's unclear who will be his backup. I'm looking at North Carolina transfer D'Antre Robinson, Aydin Breland, and Matt Johnson. Freshman Tony Cumberland was originally on this list, but after being involved in a car accident, he is out for the remainder of the spring season.
Defensive End
You must be registered for see images attach
- Starter: Matayo Uiagalelei
- Backup: Elijah Rushing
- Other Names to Know: Tank Jones / Prince Tavizon
Analysis: Matayo Uiagalelei returns for his senior season, which again is a huge win for the Ducks. But, just like on the interior defensive line, there are some questions behind him. The edges are in better shape than the inside, depth-wise, with guys like Elijah Rushing and Tank Jones projected to have an impact, but it will be interesting to see how this depth chart fleshes out in the spring and summer.
Jack Linebacker
You must be registered for see images attach
- Starter: Teitum Tuioti
- Backup: Nasir Wyatt
- Other Names to Know: Tank Jones
Analysis: Once again, Teitum Tuioti returns and provides some massive stability for the Ducks. Behind him, it's not hard to project that Nasir Wyatt is going to step up and have a bigger role, and Tank Jones can likely play in this spot as well.
Strong Side Linebacker
You must be registered for see images
- Starter: Nasir Wyatt
- Backup: Tank Jones
- Other Names to Know: Dutch Horisk
Analysis: Nasir Wyatt looks primed for a bigger role in this defense, assuming he continues to bulk up a bit this offseason, so I think he will slot in as the starter here, especially with Blake Purchase gone. I also want to see Tank Jones step up into this position as well.
MAC Linebacker
You must be registered for see images attach
- Starter: Devon Jackson
- Backup: Brayden Platt
- Other Names to Know: Gavin Nix / Dylan Williams
Analysis: There are some questions about the linebacker spots this offseason, with Bryce Boettcher graduating. I expect someone like Devon Jackson to step up and be the guy in one of these spots. The Ducks also have a lot of young and talented players ready to have an impact.
Money Linebacker
You must be registered for see images
- Starter: Jerry Mixon
- Backup: Brayden Platt
- Other Names to Know: Gavin Nix
Analysis: After stepping into a starting role this past season, Jerry Mixon projects to be one of the leaders of this defense next year, and potentially the green-dot linebacker that Oregon has been needing over the past couple of years. I am also curious to see what Brayden Platt and Gavin Nix can do with another year of growth under their belts.
Boundary Cornerback
You must be registered for see images attach
- Starter: Ify Obidegwu
- Backup: Na'eem Offord
- Other Names to Know: Aaron Scott / Dorian Brew / Davon Benjamin
Analysis: Ify Obidegwu had a great year in 2025 as one of the starting cornerbacks, and that shouldn't change next year either. He will undoubtedly be pushed by guys like Na'eem Offord, Doran Brew, and Aaron Scott Jr., among others, but that's not a bad thing for the Ducks. The more competition, the better.
Field Cornerback
You must be registered for see images attach
- Starter: Brandon Finney Jr.
- Backup: Aaron Scott Jr.
- Other Names to Know: Davon Benjamin / Dorian Brew
Analysis: Brandon Finney was the star of the show this year on Oregon's defense, dominating as a true freshman and earning true freshman All-American honors. He should once again be among the best cornerbacks in the nation next year and lead the Ducks' secondary. Again, I'm curious to watch guys like Scott, Brew, and Benjamin, as well as Na'eem Offord, who may play on the outside or in the nickel.
Boundary Safety
You must be registered for see images attach
- Starter: Aaron Flowers
- Backup: Trey McNutt
- Other Names to Know: Jett Washington / Xavier Lherisse
Analysis: After earning the starting spot this past year alongside Dillon Thieneman, Flowers projects to be one of the best players on Oregon's defense once again next season. He's going to be pushed by former 5-star Trey McNutt, who was injured for much of 2025, but the Ducks' secondary looks to be very strong once again.
Field Safety
You must be registered for see images attach
- Starter: Koi Perich
- Backup: Peyton Woodyard
- Other Names to Know: Trey McNutt / Devin Jackson
Analysis: With Dillon Thieneman going to the NFL draft, Oregon went into the portal and got a great replacement in Koi Perich, from Minnesota. Perich is a rangy safety who will excel in coverage, leading the secondary much like DT did last year. Behind him, I once again expect guys like Peyton Woodyard and Trey McNutt to step up.
STAR/Nickel
You must be registered for see images attach
- Starter: Carl Williams IV
- Backup: Na'eem Offord
- Other Names to Know: Davon Benjamin / Peyton Woodyard
Analysis: Oregon went into the portal to land Baylor's Carl Williams IV, who likely will slot into the Nickel position to replace Jadon Canady, who was great for the Ducks this past year. I am also intrigued by Na'eem Offord, who could play in the nickel or out wide, as well as true freshman Davon Benjamin.
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's defensive depth chart projection ahead of Ducks' Spring Game
Continue reading...
