Ducks Digest

Which Oregon Football Freshman Can Make Instant Impact?

With the Oregon Ducks Spring Game behind us and the countdown to college football kickoff looming, which fresh-faced talents will see the field under the Oregon and coach Dan Lanning's Big Ten debut?
Ally Osborne|
Oregon defensive back Aaron Flowers goes up for a pass during warmups ahead of the Oregon Ducks’ Spring Game Saturday, April 27. 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore.
Oregon defensive back Aaron Flowers goes up for a pass during warmups ahead of the Oregon Ducks’ Spring Game Saturday, April 27. 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA

In this story:

Oregon DucksOhio State BuckeyesAlabama Crimson TideGeorgia Bulldogs
3 of 4

Aaron Flowers, Safety

You may recognize this defensive-back turned safety, Aaron Flowers, from his turn leading the white team’s defense for Oregon’s Spring Game. The four-star recruit out of Forney, Texas racked up four tackles and one pass break-up to make a fairly strong impression.

Flowers shines as an athlete of many skills. In high school, the 6’0, 202 athlete would transition through the secondary with ease, specifically at safety and corner. He also took his speed to compete in a limited capacity for track and field. This makes his roster listing at defensive back no surprise, but also guarantees he won’t be limited to one position.

As for seeing the field, Flowers is most likely to be a backup for strong safety behind senior Tysheem Johnson. Strong safeties are more versatile and better for contact than free safeties, and Flowers’ skills and physicality fits this role.

Flowers seems to be the most likely on this list to see the field, simply because of his talent during the spring game as well as the lack of depth towards his respective position.

Published | Modified
Ally Osborne
ALLY OSBORNE

A reporter for Oregon Ducks on SI, Ally Osborne is a born and raised Oregonian. She graduated from the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communications in 2021 after interning for the Oregon Sports Network with experience working on live sporting broadcasts for ESPN, FOX Sports, the PAC 12 Network, and Runnerspace. Osborne continued her career in Bend, Oregon as a broadcast reporter in 2021 for Central Oregon Daily News while writing for Oregon Ducks on SI. Since then, Osborne is entering her third season reporting for the publication and is frequently the on-site reporter for home games at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. She is currently the host of lifestyle shows "Everyday Northwest" and "Tower Talk Live" for KOIN 6 News in Portland, Oregon. Osborne also works as a sports reporter for KOIN 6's "Game On" sports department. In her free time, Osborne is an avid graphic designer, making art commissions for athletes across her home state. Osborne's designs have even become tattoos for a few Duck athletes.

Home/Football