Oregon Expects Big Impact From Jamaree Caldwell on New-Look Defensive Line
Oregon's defensive line is going to look a lot different in 2024.
With veterans like Brandon Dorlus, Casey Rogers and Popo Aumavae all exhausting their eligibility, Tony Tuioti and the rest of the coaching staff in Eugene went looking for some reinforcements.
Which is where former Houston defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell enters the equation.
Houston defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell (93) against the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
© Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Jamaree Caldwell leaves the field in a game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
© Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
The 2023 All-Big-12 selection joined the Ducks this offseason in time for spring practice and projects to play a big role on the interior of Oregon's defensive line.
While meeting with reporters Thursday following Oregon's first spring practice, head coach Dan Lanning went in-depth on what he thinks the 6-foot-1, 325-pound lineman brings to the table.
"Explosive power and speed really for his size," Lanning said. "He's a dominant guy that ends up in the backfield a lot of times which is gonna create havoc for the opposing team. Excited to see what he brings."
Caldwell played at Houston for two years and also spent some time at a pair of junior colleges prior to landing in Eugene. Experience like that is going to come in handy for him as the Ducks want to utilize his abilities to the fullest extent.
"He's done a good job hopping in. He's learning a lot," Lanning continued. "We're asking him to do more than he did before and that's been a good transition for him."
The Newberry, South Carolina native is the only transfer the Ducks have added along the defensive line this offseason, which means the coaching staff will call on some of the younger players to step into larger roles in the trenches.
Lanning hopes this offseason has been a productive one for his younger defensive linemen and that they'll be ready for anything thrown their way.
"See 'em grow up fast," the head coach said of what he wants to see from the group in the spring. "I always say if you're good enough you're old enough. We want to see these guys be able to attack it and not have a plan to wait but a plan to go play."
Players like Ben Roberts (Rsr. Soph), A'Mauri Washington (Soph) and My'Keil Gardner (Rsr Fr.) all seem poised to take on more meaningful snaps this season, but fans shouldn't forget about names like Jericho Johnson , Aydin Breland and Xadavien Sims. The trio of All-American defensive linemen signed with Oregon as part of a historic 2024 recruiting class that could make an impact sooner rather than later.
The Ducks will hold their second of fifteen spring practices on Saturday morning in Eugene.
