Ranking the True Freshmen Most Likely to Play for Oregon in 2023
The Oregon Ducks will kick off their 2023 season in just over a week next Saturday at home in Eugene against the Portland State Vikings.
Everyone is excited to see some of their favorite players return to action, but what about the newest Ducks?
Oregon signed the No. 9 recruiting class in the country (per 247Sports) in Dan Lanning's first full recruiting cycle as a head coach.
Now, all 28 of those prep recruits are enrolled on campus, and a group of true freshmen have generated some buzz in fall camp. These players could have a decent chance at seeing notable playing time this season.
1. EDGE Matayo Uiagalelei
Matayo Uiagalelei performs a one-on-one pass rush drill against tight end Travis Brashear.
Keenan Austermann/Ducks Digest
Uiagalelei is the most obvious pick to start off this list. He jumps off the page physically at 6'5", 270 pounds.
He's got an advanced skill set and a variety of pass rush moves that set him apart from other true freshmen. He played for the defending national champion St. John Bosco Braves, whose defense has a decent amount of overlap with Oregon's.
The defensive end/EDGE is an elite athlete that can move and bend with the best of them. There hasn't been this much buzz around a true freshman defender since Kayon Thibodeaux and it wouldn't surprise me if we see Uiagalelei starting opposite Jordan Burch at some point this season.
The craziest thing is I hear is that he has the talent and potential to be an NFL tight end, but for now, he's needed more as a pass rusher and the former All-American should see the field plenty as a true freshman.
2. Wide Receiver Jurrion Dickey
Jurrion Dickey runs after the catch for Menlo Atherton against Bellarmine College Prep.
Pierre Whitsey // PierrePierreProductions
Dickey is the only five-star recruit Oregon signed in the 2023 class, and with that comes high expectations. But that's not why I'm listing him here.
Despite coming off an injury that cut his senior season short, he looks like he hasn't missed a step and is making a smooth transition to the college level. His numerous one-handed catches have earned him a lot of praise in fall camp.
Listed at 6'2", 215 pounds, he's a physical pass catcher that made a name for himself by taking the action to opposing defenses in high school. Not only can he high point the ball at an elite level, he isn't just a possession wide receiver.
What makes Dickey special is what he does after the catch with the ball in his hands. He's playing in what is likely the deepest wide receiver room we've seen in Eugene in some time, but he has plenty of talent to see the field this season.
3. EDGE Teitum Tuioti
True freshman EDGE Teitum Tuioti in Oregon Ducks fall camp.
© Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK
Tuioti is a player that flew under the radar in this class. He made a big jump to four-star status his senior year at local Sheldon High and joined the team to practice during the Holiday Bowl.
Like Uiagalelei, his technique is very advanced for a true freshman. He probably has his dad, Oregon defensive line coach Tony Tuioti to thank for that.
Aside from Burch and Mase Funa, Oregon's depth along the edge is a bit uncertain. A lot of people I've spoken with around the program continue to praise his efforts and his flashes since arriving in Eugene and tell me he's one to watch for.
I almost put Blake Purchase in this spot, as he's been brought up more recently in fall camp, but I'm going with Tuioti because he got a jump start and enrolled early.
4. Cole Martin
Oregon Ducks cornerback Cole Martin reacts after a play in the 2023 spring football game.
Bennett Metcalf/Ducks Digest
Martin is easily one of the true freshmen I'm the most excited to see this year. Part of that is because of what he did in the spring game.
He's listed at 5'10", 180 pounds, but he's probably closer to 5'9" as a smaller defensive back. Martin was one of the most explosive and twitchy players in the country at Chandler (Ariz.) Basha and helped the Bears capture a state title last year.
He's a versatile player that could see the field as a cornerback, a nickel or return specialist. Like Tuioti, he's got an advanced football IQ as a coaches son and it looks like the college game isn't too fast for him, which is a typical hurdle most freshmen face.
I love the fire and physicality in his game and think it helps him see the field this season.
5. Kenyon Sadiq
Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq runs after the catch in the spring game while Tysheem Johnson gives chase.
© Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK
Sadiq is a bit of a wildcard for me in this group. I listed him here not so much because he's been standing out or garnering buzz, but more so because we don't know what the tight end room look like.
We know it'll be dominated by Terrance Ferguson and Patrick Herbert, but behind those two it's really a toss up. The Ducks are hoping Ole Miss transfer Casey Kelly can give them some quality snaps as an experienced veteran, but we haven't seen him in this offense yet.
Kaden Ludwick is another unknown for me at the position after coming over from Colorado. Sadiq is a bit undersized at 6'3", 235 pounds but he could end up seeing the field strictly because of the numbers in the room.
That said, I'm encouraged by his athleticism and pass catching ability as someone who routinely got behind opposing secondaries during his high school career and made big plays when it mattered most.
READ MORE: Projecting Oregon's offensive depth chart
READ MORE: Projecting Oregon's defensive depth chart
READ MORE: Prospect Pulse-RB Jason Brown Jr. nearing the finish line
