Oregon Ready to Resume Spring Football Practice
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Oregon Football started spring practice on March 16, but those two practice came and went without a lot of buzz.
After that the Ducks took about two weeks off for finals and spring break. Now, players are making their way back to Eugene and they're ready to get after it.
Dan Lanning is in his second year as head coach and fortunately for him, a lot of top players return from a season ago. Even so, there's been significant roster churn and more than 25 new faces have joined the team.
He surely has a lengthy checklist of what he wants to accomplish this spring, so let's check in on a couple of those items.
Backup quarterbacks must progress
Let's not kid ourselves. This team will go as far as Bo Nix can take them. We saw what happens when your backup isn't ready last year in the Washington game when Nix got hurt and Ty Thompson entered the game.
Admittedly, that's a tough spot for any quarterback to come in and perform-- but it drives home an important point. This team needs to have a solid No. 2 that can at least operate the offense and move the ball down the field. Thompson didn't look ready in the times we saw him last year.
His progress, along with that of early enrollee true freshman Austin Novosad, will be a main priority for the Ducks this spring.
"I think he's really smart. I think that shows in the way he attacks each day and plays," Lanning said of Novosad after the second spring practice. "I know he wants a couple plays back today and I know he's gonna be a guy that cares enough that he's gonna learn from it. Excited about his progress. He throws a tight spiral, does a good job with the ball, but he needs to deliver it in the right location a few more times."
Building out depth in the front 7
Oregon's defensive line is the most experienced group on defense. Popo Aumavae returning from injury gives the group a boost, and Brandon Dorlus, Casey Rogers, Sam Taimani and Keyon Ware-Hudson make this a really promising bunch.
We know this group can defend the run. That was a strength outside of a few games like Oregon State, but can they take that step and help generate a consistent pass rush?
The Ducks return Mase Funa, Jake Shipley, Anthony Jones and Emar'rion Winston on the edge from a season ago and add Jordan Burch to the mix. Outside of Burch and Funa though, there's not a whole lot of depth, which means true freshmen like Matayo Uiagalelei, Teitum Tuioti and Blake Purchase (not enrolled) could find themselves in the two-deep.
Who steps up at inside linebacker?
Noah Sewell's departure creates a big need at inside backer for the Ducks. Jeffrey Bassa returns for his third season at linebacker after coming to Oregon as safety and the Ducks are expecting big things from him.
Keith Brown was playing some good football on the back end of last season and looks like he's stepping into his own. He should become a more reliable option as he gets more snaps under his belt.
Devin Jackson and Harrison Taggart are itching for bigger roles and should be able to get in the mix after one year in the defense. But don't forget about transfers Jestin Jacobs and Connor Soelle.
Jacobs has a legit shot at the NFL Draft next year and Soelle should fly around the field and turn some heads after being an under the radar addition for the Ducks.
Tight end depth is still a concern
As it stands, the Ducks still only have three scholarship tight ends on the roster. Terrance Ferguson is the headliner and Patrick Herbert is poised to be heavily involved after playing his first full college season.
True freshman Kenyon Sadiq will need to be a sponge. The pass-catching tight end is working to learn the playbook and needs to add some weight to a light frame that will be asked to block big defensive linemen.
The Ducks probably can't add anyone until the summer because the portal doesn't open until May, which means they have to do the best they can with what they have. Don't get me wrong it's a good group, but it doesn't have the depth it needs.
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