An Early Look at Oregon Football's Recruiting Needs in 2024: Offense

Oregon is in contention for more elite talent and is already off to a hot start in 2024.

Author:
Max Torres
Publish date:
Feb 28, 2023 12:26 PM EST

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For the most part, the dust has settled on the recruiting trail with the class of 2023.

The Oregon Ducks were able to sign some big names from the senior class including wide receiver Jurrion Dickey, edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei and cornerback Rodrick Pleasant--just to name a few.

Now it's onto the 2024 class. Today we're evaluating Oregon's offensive needs based off of what we project the roster to look like after next season.

Quarterback

Star quarterback Bo Nix will head to the NFL Draft after this season, which would leave the Ducks with just two scholarship quarterbacks in Ty Thompson and Austin Novosad.

You'd ideally like to have closer to three, which makes me wonder if the Ducks would consider signing two quarterbacks, something they haven't done since the 2020 class with Robby Ashford (Auburn) and Jay Butterfield (San Jose State). One would hope that Thompson would be ready to take the reigns of the offense, but you still want to bring in at least one high-level recruit that can push the room and maybe even compete for a starting job if he's just that special.

There's also a chance the Ducks return to the transfer portal, something I think would be more likely if they don't feel confident any of their scholarship players could start. You always want to give yourself options with the most important position on the field.

Need: High

Running back

Bucky Irving and Noah Whittington enter their junior years, which means the duo could take a shot at going pro after next season. Most would probably agree Irving is the better NFL prospect of the pair, but Irving only logged 17 more carries than Whittington, which means there will be no shortage of tape.

Jordan James should be ready for a larger role after appearing in 10 games as a true freshman, while Dante Dowdell and Jayden Limar round out a room that's stockpiled with talent. The numbers look encouraging now, but if one or both of Irving and Whittington choose to leave there becomes a more pressing need.

Need: Medium

Wide Receiver

The story at receiver starts with Troy Franklin, the most proven and productive option the Ducks have. If he continues to play at a high level, there's not much doubt next season will be his last.

Kris Hutson could also be looking at his last college season, but who knows how secure his job as starting slot receiver is with the arrival of Troy transfer Tez Johnson? Johnson and Hutson were both from the 2020 class and could play another season if they'd like. Josh Delgado is a fourth-year junior that has struggled to find a role in Eugene.

Aside from those guys, younger names like Kyler Kasper and Justius Lowe hope to take larger steps, and 2023 prep signees Jurrion Dickey and Ashton Cozart aim to compete for snaps as true freshmen. There's plenty of talent here, but the uncertainty of who's coming back in 2024 leads me to believe receiver will be a priority.

Keep in mind the Ducks lost four wide receivers to the transfer portal this offseason and hold two verbal commitments from wide receivers Jordan Anderson and Tyseer Denmark.

Need: Low to medium

Tight End

Tight end is one of the more interesting spots on Oregon's roster. After Moliki Matavao and Cam McCormick hit the portal, the Ducks saw their depth take a serious hit in a hurry.

Terrance Fergsuon has played a big role from the moment he stepped on campus, which means he could be headed for the league after this season. Patrick Herbert is finally healthy after a college career that's been riddled with injuries.

He could come back in 2024 if he wants and then you have 2023 signee Kenyon Sadiq. I think the need here depends on whether or not the Ducks add a player from the portal, which I think they should. Even if they do, I still think the need is pretty notable here.

Need: High

Offensive line

Steven Jones fires off the line of scrimmage against the Stanford Cardinal in 2021.
Scott Boldt/Ducks Digest

The offensive line lost a huge chunk of its production from the 2022 season, but Lanning went out and added five players from the high school ranks and two transfers.

You figure Steven Jones will head to the NFL and then you have to look at Junior Angilau and Ajani Cornelius. Angilau has battled some injuries during his college days and missed all of the 2022 season, which I think could leave the door open for another possible year.

Cornelius is someone I don't feel as confident about coming back since he was viewed as the top tackle in the transfer portal, so he could be a one-and-done. Elsewhere on the offensive line you have Jackson Powers-Johnson and Marcus Harper II, who both stepped into noticeably larger roles in 2022.

Both could leave after next season, but Harper has more starting experience than JPJ, which could mean JPJ would stay another year after being a full-time starter in 2023. Josh Conerly Jr. enters just his second season and will be back.

I'm going to list this one as high just because we don't know how effective this unit will be compared to last season after the team lost so many key pieces.