Five Players From Oregon's 2023 Signing Class Poised for Bigger Roles

A new season should bring new opportunities for some of the top players from one of Oregon's recent signing classes.

There's turnover every year in college football. It's part of the game. Sometimes coaches get players for just a single year. Sometimes it's four or even five.

But the best coaches bring in top talent year after year and reload their roster rather than rebuild. 

The Ducks lost a number of top players from the 2023 season including quarterback Bo Nix, wide receiver Troy Franklin and defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus to name a few.

Today I'm taking a look at five players from Oregon's 2023 signing class, which was ranked No. 9 by 247Sports, that are poised for a larger role next season.

1. WR Jurrion Dickey

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Dickey was Oregon's lone 5-star recruit in the 2023 class, but we didn't see much of him as a true freshman. He appeared in five games (including the Fiesta Bowl) and caught one pass for seven yards.

His debut season in Eugene was limited in part by a meniscus injury he suffered his senior year of high school that he was recovering from. There was also a deep group of wide receivers under Junior Adams, which could've been part of the reason we didn't see more of him.

Entering 2024 there's still plenty of talent in the room, but maybe Troy Franklin's departure frees up some snaps that could come Dickey's way. He's an incredible athlete that has great ball skills and a strong frame at 6'2", 215 pounds that helps him eat up yards after the catch.

2. CB Rodrick Pleasant

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Pleasant appeared in seven games as a true freshman and made an impact play in the Fiesta Bowl, forcing a fumble against Liberty. 

His agility, top-end speed and ball skills should make him a capable defender against most matchups despite being a bit undersized. He's an elite athlete that needs to see the field more in year two, even if that means getting the ball in his hands as a return man on special teams or even as a gadget guy on offense---something that was discussed as a possibility during his recruitment.

3. DL A'Mauri Washington

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The 6'3", 330-pound pound sophomore appeared in eight games as a true freshman and recorded two tackles.

With so many players gone from a veteran-laden defensive line in 2023, Washington is a player that has a great opportunity for an increased role alongside someone like Bent Roberts, who enters his third year in Eugene. 

His physicality and athleticism were part of what made him so special as a four-star high school recruit and some people I spoke with on the high school scene believe he was a snub from the All-American Bowl.

4. DL My'Keil Gardner

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Gardner didn't see as many snaps as Washington, but don't let that subtract from his potential. After playing in just three games, the redshirt freshman is another player that could be in the mix for Tony Tuioti in 2024. 

Former Duck Casey Rogers was impressed by Gardner last year in spring ball, calling him an advanced freshman. 

"My'Keil Gardner has soaked things up. He's probably one of the most advanced freshmen I've ever seen come in and pick up a scheme and technique in the first couple of weeks and months he's been here."

5. LB Jerry Mixon

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I think some people might have forgotten about Mixon after the Ducks signed three more elite linebackers in 2024. His versatility and athleticism made him a special talent in the 2023 class, as he played linebacker, EDGE, running back and even some quarterback for Sacred Heart Cathedral as a senior in high school.

I think having a full year of the Oregon defense and speed of the college game under his belt did him some good and being able to focus solely on linebacker helped him. Jestin Jacobs and Jeffrey Bassa are the likely starters at linebacker, but I wouldn't be surprised if we see him line up next to Devon Jackson and/or Connor Soelle as part of the two-deep in his second year.

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