Zachary Neel
August 19, 2024 5:59 am PT
The Oregon Ducks wrapped up their 2024 fall camp with a final scrimmage inside Autzen Stadium on Saturday afternoon, and now they look ahead toward the start of the regular season. With that, the two-deep depth chart is starting to come into focus.
While the first few weeks were spent getting everyone back into football shape and diving into the Oregon scheme, now it’s time to start looking at the regular season and prepare for opponents.
There are a lot of new faces on the roster, both from the spring and the summer, while a lot of the veteran producers from last year returned for one more season as well. But how will they all flesh out on the depth chart, and who should we expect to see rise to the top over the next four weeks before Oregon’s Week 1 game against Idaho?
That’s what we’re here to try and figure out. Each week of fall camp, we will put out our depth chart projections, moving things around based on information we’ve gleaned from watching practices and talking to coaches and players.
As we continue, here is our two-deep prediction as fall camp comes to a close.
Quarterback
Syndication: The Register Guard
Projected Starter:Dillon Gabriel
Projected Back-Up: Dante Moore
Other Names to Know
— Austin Novosad
— Luke Moga
Changes from last week: None
Analysis: I don’t expect much change at this position throughout the season. Dillon Gabriel is currently the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, and Dante Moore will take the keys from him once the season ends. Behind them, Austin Novosad and Luke Moga can jockey for position.
Running Back
Syndication: The Register Guard
Projected Starter:Jordan James
Projected Back-Up: Noah Whittington
Other Names to Know
— Jay Harris
— Jayden Limar
Changes from last week: None
Analysis: Watching to see how the Ducks are going to distribute carries is going to be fascinating this season. Jordan James is the top guy, but Noah Whittington and Jay Harris need their fair share of work as well. It’s a deep room with a lot of options, and production should be no issue.
Tight End
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Starter:Terrance Ferguson
Projected Back-Up: Kenyon Sadiq
Other Names to Know
— Patrick Herbert
Changes from last week: None
Analysis: Terrance Ferguson is the starter, and that’s not going to change. We continue to hear endless good things about Kenyon Sadiq, and I think he is going to be a really big piece of this offense. Patrick Herbert will have his role as well, but I see him as more of a blocking TE than anything.
Wide Receiver (X)
Christopher Creveling-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Starter:Traeshon Holden
Projected Back-Up: Kyler Kasper
Other Names to Know
— Jeremiah McClellan
Changes from last week: None
Analysis: I’m expecting a huge year from Traeshon Holden, who holds down the starting spot at X for me. Behind him, Kyler Kasper is ready to carve out a bigger role for himself, while we look to see what the true freshman Jeremiah McClellan can do in his first year with the team.
Wide Receiver (Z)
Photo Courtesy of Ethan Landa
Projected Starter:Evan Stewart
Projected Back-Up: Justius Lowe
Other Names to Know
— Jurrion Dickey
— Ryan Pellum
Changes from last week: Moved Justius Lowe ahead of Jurrion Dickey
Analysis: No question about the talent at this position. While Evan Stewart will get the start, I did move Justius Lowe over Jurrion Dickey for the No. 2 spot. We knew going into camp that Dickey was dealing with a minor injury, and Lowe has been getting a lot of praise from players and coaches so far. This may end up looking foolish once a couple of games are played and we can actually get a look at the depth chart, but based on buzz and vibes, it feels to me like Lowe is in a better spot.
Wide Receiver (Slot)
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Starter:Tez Johnson
Projected Back-Up: Gary Bryant Jr.
Other Names to Know
— Jack Ressler
Changes from last week: None
Analysis: No question who is the starter here, with Tez Johnson returning from a career year and setting up to be one of the most productive receivers in the nation this season. Behind him, I want to see how big of a role Gary Bryant Jr. can carve out in this loaded WR room.
Left Tackle
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Starter:Josh Conerly Jr.
Projected Back-Up: George Silva
Other Names to Know
— JacQawn McRoy
— Fox Crader
Changes from last week: None
Analysis: Josh Conerly certainly enters the season as the starter at LT, but I’m very curious to see what shakes out behind him. True freshman JacQawn McRoy is an intriguing player due to his size, but George Silva is a monster in his own right, so watching those two jockey for position will be fun.
Left Guard
Photo Courtesy of Ethan Landa
Projected Starter:Marcus Harper II
Projected Back-Up: Dave Iuli
Other Names to Know
— Gernorris Wilson
Changes from last week: None
Analysis: The guard spots have become very interesting for Oregon as they suffer an injury to Matthew Bedford at RG — more on that in a second. I don’t think anything will switch at LG, but there’s a chance they move Marcus Harper around, either to center or RG, in order to get the best players on the field. This will be interesting to watch play out over the next few weeks while Bedford is on the mend.
Center
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Starter:Iapani Laloulu
Projected Back-Up: Charlie Pickard
Other Names to Know
— Bryce Boulton
— Kanen Rossi
— Marcus Harper
Changes from last week: Added Marcus Harper
Analysis: Iapani Laloulu certainly projects to be the starting center, but as mentioned above, the Ducks may need to do some mixing and matching in the wake of Matthew Bedford’s fall camp injury, which is expected to hold him out for a limited amount of time. Poncho could end up moving over to RG in Bedford’s place, and the Ducks could move Harper to center if they feel that gives them the best opportunity. It’s something to watch.
Right Guard
Photo Courtesy of Ethan Landa
Projected Starter:Nishad Strother
Projected Back-Up: Iapani Laloulu
Other Names to Know
— Matthew Bedford (Knee)
—Devin Brooks
Changes from last week: Moved up Nishad Strother. Added Iapani Laloulu.
Analysis: The injury to Matthew Bedford certainly complicates things at the RG spot for the Ducks. Behind Bedford, Nishad Strother is the expected next man up on the depth chart, but head coach Dan Lanning said on Saturday that their not against potentially moving players around — such as Iapani Laloulu to RG, and Marcus Harper to C — in order to make sure that they have the most talented five players on the field. For now, I think that Strother will be the guy at RG, but we need to see it play out over the next couple of weeks.
RIght Tackle
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Starter:Ajani Cornelius
Projected Back-Up: Kawika Rogers
Other Names to Know
— Trent Ferguson
Changes from last week: None
Analysis: Both tackle positions seem to be locked down, with Ajani Cornelius acting as the clear starter here. Behind him, I think Kawika Rogers will step up, but we could see one of the backup LTs, like George Silva or JacQawn McRoy, move over as well.
Defensive Tackle
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Starter:Derrick Harmon
Projected Back-Up: Keyon Ware-Hudson
Other Names to Know
— My’Keil Gardner
— Aydin Breland
Changes from last week: None
Analysis: We entered fall camp with Keyon Ware-Hudson at the top spot on the depth chart here, but it didn’t take long to move Derrick Harmon over him. I think that Ware-Hudson will still have a role on the defense, but Harmon’s talent is very clear.
Nose Tackle
Syndication: The Register Guard
Projected Starter:Jamaree Caldwell
Projected Back-Up: A’Mauri Washington
Other Names to Know
— Jericho Johnson
— Terrance Green
— Tionne Gray
Changes from last week: None
Analysis: Jamaree Caldwell was one of the top available defensive linemen in the transfer portal this year, so I think he will come over and take a starting role on the Ducks’ defense. I’m also excited to see what A’Mauri Washington can do behind him on the depth chart.
Defensive End
Darren Yamash*ta-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Starter:Jordan Burch
Projected Back-Up: Elijah Rushing
Other Names to Know
— Ashton Porter
— Xadavien Sims
Changes from last week: None
Analysis: Jordan Burch is among the best players on Oregon’s roster this year, so his standing at the top of the DE spot is untouched. Behind him, I wouldn’t be surprised to see true freshman Elijah Rushing get quite a bit of run early on.
JACK Linebacker/EDGE
(Photo Courtesy of Ethan Landa)
Projected Starter:Matayo Uiagalelei
Projected Back-Up: Teitum Tuioti
Other Names to Know
— Blake Purchase
— Jaeden Moore
Changes from last week: None
Analysis: There’s an abundance of talent at the EDGE spot for Oregon, with the trio of Matayo Uiagalelei, Teitum Tuioti, and Blake Purchase likely rotating a lot throughout the year. I feel comfortable calling them 1A, 1B, and 1C.
SAM Linebacker
(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Projected Starter:Emar’rion Winston
Projected Back-Up: Blake Purchase
Other Names to Know
— Ashton Porter
Changes from last week: None
Analysis: Emar’rion Winston surprised a lot of people last year with his stellar play, and I think that will continue this year at the SAM position. I also expect Blake Purchase to work in here as well, as he said at media day that he’s rotating between JACK and SAM so far this offseason.
MAC Linebacker
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Starter:Jestin Jacobs
Projected Back-Up: Jerry Mixon
Other Names to Know
— Bryce Boettcher
— Dylan Williams
Changes from last week: None
Analysis: With Jestin Jacobs as the undisputed starter here, I’m curious to see who gets the backup role between Jerry Mixon and Bryce Boettcher. Both are incredibly talented and have shown flashes before, but watching that play out this fall will be fun.
MONEY Linebacker
(Photo Courtesy of Ethan Landa)
Projected Starter:Jeffrey Bassa
Projected Back-Up: Devon Jackson
Other Names to Know
— Brayden Platt
— Kamar Mothudi
Changes from last week: None
Analysis: Jeffrey Bassa is the leader of this defense, but Devon Jackson comes in with some of the highest upside on the team with his speed and size at the position. He won’t take over Bassa’s starting role, but I think the Ducks will get him on the field as much as they can this year.
Boundary Cornerback
Photo Courtesy of Ethan Landa
Projected Starter:Jabbar Muhammad
Projected Back-Up: Dontae Manning
Other Names to Know
— Jahlil Florence
— Ify Obidegwu
Changes from last week: None
Analysis: Jabbar Muhammad certainly has this starting spot locked down, and while Jahlil Florence continues to recover from offseason surgery, it will be interesting to see how Dontae Manning and true freshman Ify Obidegwu can work themselves in. On Saturday, Lanning revealed that Florence is still working back from his injury, and isn’t available yet to play. So we will continue to monitor his recovery and see when he can make it back.
Field Cornerback
Photo Courtesy of Kam Alexander
Projected Starter:Kam Alexander
Projected Back-Up: Sione Laulea
Other Names to Know
— Rodrick Pleasant
— Daylen Austin
— Dakoda Fields
Changes from last week: None
Analysis: I’m very intrigued to see what we get from this position. At the top, Kam Alexander should be very good coming in from UTSA, and Sione Laulea was the top JUCO cornerback in the nation last year, so he could easily take a big role here. The depth is great as well, with Rodrick Pleasant and Daylen Austin working to carve out a role as well.
Strong Safety
(Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Projected Starter:Tysheem Johnson
Projected Back-Up: Aaron Flowers
Other Names to Know
— Tyler Turner
Changes from last week: None
Analysis: Tysheem Johnson returns for another year where he should be among the leaders of the defense, but I’m also keeping an eye on true freshman Aaron Flowers, who has been drawing rave reviews from players and coaches all offseason.
Free Safety
Syndication: The Register Guard
Projected Starter:Kobe Savage
Projected Back-Up: Kingston Lopa
Other Names to Know
— Peyton Woodyard
Changes from last week: None
Analysis: Kobe Savage was one of the bigger gets for the Ducks in the transfer portal, but behind him I’m very curious to see what we’ve got in true freshmen Kingston Lopa and Peyton Woodyard. Woodyard was the higher-ranked prospect, but he spent his offseason at Alabama before transferring after spring ball. Because of that, I will currently give the nod to Lopa for the No. 2 spot.
STAR/Nickel Safety
Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Starter:Brandon Johnson
Projected Back-Up: Nikko Reed
Other Names to Know
— Daylen Austin
— Sione Laulea
Changes from last week: None
Analysis: Brandon Johnson came in late after the spring season, but it sounds like he has picked up the defense incredibly quickly and should be a dynamic player for the Ducks. Behind him, Nikko Reed returns as a productive player, and we could also see cornerbacks like Daylen Austin and Sione Laulea move into this STAR spot as well.
Special Teams
Syndication: The Register Guard
Projected Starter (Kicker):Atticus Sappington
Projected Back-Up (Kicker): Grant Meadors
Projected Starter (Punter):Ross James
Projected Back-Up (Punter): Luke Dunne
Changes from last week: None
Analysis: Based on what we saw in spring ball, I currently give the nod to Atticus Sappington and Ross James as your starting specialists, but it will be an open competition with Grant Meadors and Luke Dunne throughout the next month.
