Oregon Ducks Starting Defense Prediction in Middle of Fall Camp

Oregon football is entrenched in its second week of fall camp as Dan Lanning and the Ducks put the final touches on what is projected to be one of college football’s best defenses.

Oregon defensive coordinator Chris Hampton speaks during a press conference on March 14, 2026, in Eugene, Oregon. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Oregon football is entrenched in its second week of fall camp as the Ducks work to put the finishing touches on what is projected to be one of college football’s top-ranked defenses.

Coach Dan Lanning’s squad will take the field this season with a consensus top-five unit that remains largely intact from the defense that propelled the Ducks to the College Football Playoff Semifinals just seven months prior.

Aug. 31, 2024; Oregon Ducks defensive lineman A'Mauri Washington eyes up an Idaho Vandals quarterback at Autzen Stadium. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

That said, there are still position battles and new impactful faces on the defensive side of the ball to keep an eye on as the Ducks’ season opener at Autzen Stadium versus Boise State quickly approaches.

Check out the other side of the ball and the Ducks’ projected offensive starters.

Defensive Front

Starters: Matayo Uiagalelei, Bear Alexander, A’Mauri Washington

In the mix: Elijah Rushing, D’Antre Robinson, Aydin Breland, Matthew Johnson, Jerome Simmons

One of the main priorities for Lanning and company was ensuring the return of Bear Alexander, Matayo Uiagalelei and A’Mauri Washington, all three of whom could easily be in an NFL preseason camps. The trio combined for 117 tackles, including 20.5 of them for loss, along with 8.5 sacks, 13 pass breakups and three fumbles.

Nov. 29, 2025; Oregon defensive lineman Bear Alexander, left, teams with Dillon Thieneman to bring down Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Backing them up is a major concern for first-year defensive coordinator Chris Hampton. He inherits a group that lost valuable defensive front depth to the transfer portal in Tionne Gray, Jericho Johnson, Xadavien Sims and Terrance Green.

Stepping onto the campus in Eugene to take their place are North Carolina transfer D’Antre Robinson and Louisiana-Monroe transfer Jerome Simmons. They’re also being pushed in camp by up-and-comers such as Aydin Breland, Matthew Johnson and Elijah Rushing. 

And none of this takes into account the menace in Teitum Tuioti, who is among a cadre of edge rushers that are destined to cause headaches throughout the Big Ten this season.

Linebackers

Starters: Teitum Tuioti, Devon Jackson, Jerry Mixon

In the mix: Gavin Nix, Brayden Platt, Dylan Williams

Tietum Tuioti is the heartbeat of a Ducks linebacking corps that is still building its depth as camp progresses.

The JACK linebacker posted 68 tackles, 16 TFL and 9.5 sacks for Oregon in 2025 and joined Uiagalelei and Washington on this year’s Lombardi Award watchlist, which recognizes the nation’s top linemen and linebackers.

Jan 1, 2026; Oregon Ducks linebacker Teitum Tuioti, left, headbutts teammate Devon Jackson after a sack against Texas Tech during the second half of the 2025 Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Jerry Mixon (57 tackles, two interceptions including a pick six touchdown in 2025) steps into an even bigger leadership role with the departure of MAC linebacker Bryce Boettcher, who is off to the Indianapolis Colts.

Senior Devon Jackson may only have three career starts, but the MONEY linebacker has already banked in 106 career tackles with the Ducks. Plus, Lanning’s staff is raving about his blistering speed.

Depth remains an issue. Gavin Nix has playoff-level experience and explosiveness, while Dylan Williams is also pushing for snaps with Brayden Platt out for some time with an injury suffered in spring camp.

Cornerbacks

Starters: Brandon Finney Jr., Ify Obidegwu

In the mix: Dorian Brew, Na’eem Offord, Aaron Scott Jr.

Brandon Finney Jr. returns as arguably the Big Ten’s most dominant cornerback, courtesy of a freshman year that saw him register 42 tackles, three interceptions and eight pass breakups while allowing a conference-best 40 percent reception rate.

Nov 22, 2025; Oregon Ducks defensive back Brandon Finney Jr., right, celebrates with Jadon Canady against USC at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

He’ll be in the conversation with Notre Dame’s Leonard Moore and Alabama’s Dijon Lee among the best cornerbacks in the nation.

Hampton will pair Finney Jr. with redshirt sophomore Ify Obidegwu, who notched 24 tackles, six pass breakups and an interception in 12 starts.

Ohio State transfer Aaron Scott Jr. is pushing Obidegwu in camp, but could also see time at nickel, while young corners Dorian Brew and Na’eem Offord are earning their wings.

Safeties

Starters: Koi Perich, Aaron Flowers

In the mix: Peyton Woodyard, Trey McNutt, Carl Williams IV

Safety Koi Perich is the newest face on the Oregon defense arriving via Minnesota as the top-ranked portal safety in the nation. The junior led the Big Ten with six interceptions as a freshman, following up with 82 of his career 128 tackles in 2025.

Dec 26, 2025; Former Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Koi Perich joins the Oregon Ducks for the 2026 season. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Aaron Flowers will join Perich on the other sideline after a 70-tackle freshman season that included an interception and two forced fumbles.

All eyes are on Trey McNutt, however. The former five-star has recovered from the broken leg suffered in fall camp that cost him the entire 2025 season. He’s now keeping Perich and Flowers on their toes. Peyton Woodyard and Carl Williams IV are adding needed depth, with Williams also likely to also see snaps at nickel.

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