Intriguing matchups and major takeaways from Ducks’ spring game roster breakdown
The teams have been set, and the matchups have officially been written up on the whiteboard. We officially know how the roster is going to be split up between green and yellow teams for the Oregon Ducks’ annual spring game on Saturday.
While many casual fans might take a glance at the rosters and move along, just getting excited at the prospect of live football, we dove a bit deeper into the information presented.
There are takeaways to be had, and player matchups to think about.
Going through it all, we deciphered what some of the best battles are going to be on Saturday, whether it’s a WR vs. a CB, a DL vs. an OL, or a QB vs. a QB.
Here are some of our biggest takeaways and most anticipated matchups from the Oregon roster release for the spring game.
Takeaway: Heavy Dose of Novosad
It’s always interesting to see how they break up the quarterbacks in spring, and how much they choose to play the perceived starter — in this case, Bo Nix.
True freshman Austin Novosad is on the green team with Nix, so you can assume that the young passer from Dripping Springs, Texas is going to get a lot of playing time with the coaching staff uninteresting in putting excess miles on their QB1. Ty Thompson is the QB1 on the yellow team, with a couple of walk-on passers behind him.
Time to throw Novosad into the deep end and see how well he can swim.
Takeaway: Freshmen RB Split and Jordan James' Time to Shine
(Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images)
Much like Bo Nix, it’s hard to see a world where both Bucky Irving and Noah Whittington get 10-plus carries each in the spring game. We already know what they can provide, so no need to put extra miles on them. The RB split behind the two starters, though, is interesting. On the yellow squad, you have Jordan James as the only scholarship player, while the pair of true freshmen — Jayden Limar and Dante Dowdell — are together on the green team.
I would expect this to result in us seeing a ton of reps for James and a split load between Limar and Dowdell.
Takeaway: Bo Nix Gets the Top WR Talent
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There are a lot of great receivers on Oregon’s roster, but let’s be real for a second. Bo Nix got the pick of the litter when doling out pass-catchers. On the green team with QB1 are Troy Franklin and Traeshon Holden, rounded out with Kenyon Sadiq, Justius Lowe, and Ashton Cozart.
There are still talented guys on the yellow team — Kris Hutson, Tez Johnson, Kyler Kasper, and Patrick Herbert — but I think anyone would rather have the group that Nix is throwing to on Saturday.
Takeaway: Kris Hutson and Tez Johnson Continued Confusion
(AP Photo/Andy Nelson)
Hand up, I continue to be pretty confused by this Kris Hutson/Tez Johnson situation. In my mind going into the spring season, those two players were going to create one of the best position battles on the roster, competing for the starting Slot WR role while Troy Franklin and Traeshon Holden occupied the outside roles. Instead, though, Hutson and Johnson have often been seen on the field together in 11-on-11 drills and in the two scrimmages this spring; Johnson often in the slot, and Hutson working outside at the X.
Now the two are on the yellow team together, and will likely be playing in conjunction once again. Who am I to disagree with the coaching staff or think that I know better than them, but I did not see this playing out the way that it has so far this spring.
Green Offensive Line
Much like the green team’s skill position players, I would argue that the offensive line in front of Bo Nix is better than their yellow counterparts. Here is how I project the starting line will look for green on Saturday:
LT: Josh Conerly Jr.
LG: Dave Iuli
C: Jackson Powers-Johnson
RG: Steven Jones
RT: George Silva
I would argue that three of those five players will be starters once the season starts in September.
Yellow Offensive Line
(Photo Courtesy of Zachary Neel | USA TODAY)
Contrarily, the yellow offensive line has some nice pieces, but far fewer projected starters in my mind. Here’s how I think it will shape up:
LT: Faoope Laloulu
LG: Kawika Rogers
C: Charlie Pickard
RG: Iapani Laloulu
RT: Ajani Cornelius
I think that only Cornelius will end up starting this fall out of that group. Of course, you have Junior Angilau and Marcus Harper on the yellow squad, but neither are expected to play. Harper is for sure not suiting up, and Dan Lanning was non-commital on Angilau, though it would be surprising to see him get many reps if any at all.
Player Matchup: Jordan Burch vs. Ajani Cornelius
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What do you know, you’ve got the most intriguing defensive player on the roster going up against the most intriguing offensive lineman on the roster. Funny how that works out.
Cornelius has reportedly stepped up and been a true leader since coming to Eugene this offseason, and we all expect big things out of South Carolina EDGE transfer Jordan Burch. It’s going to be a lot of fun watching those two go at it on Saturday.
Player Matchup: Taki Taimani/Casey Rogers vs. JPJ/Steven Jones/Dave Iuli
Similarly, on the inside, you’ve got another fun group matchup to watch. The interior of the green team’s offensive line — Dave Iuli, Jackson Powers-Johnson, and Steve Jones — will be matched against a robust defensive interior — Taki Taimani and Casey Rogers. The trenches are going to be fun to watch with this group.
Player Matchup: Matayo Uiagalelei or Brandon Dorlus vs. Josh Conerly Jr.
(Photo Courtesy of Zachary Neel | USA TODAY)
Much like Jordan Burch vs. Ajani Cornelius, I’m excited to see Oregon’s other projected tackle, Josh Conerly Jr., go up against a top EDGE defender. However, the green defense has a pair of guys who could end up doing some damage in Brandon Dorlus or Matayo Uiagalelei, depending on where they line up. Conerly is certainly going to have his hands full.
Takeaway: Jamal Hill Time To Shine
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There is a lot of anticipation surrounding Jamal Hill and his move to the LB position. Looking at the other LBs on the green team with him, it’s clear that he’s going to have to shoulder a lot of the load. Connor Soelle, Jerry Mixon, and Elijah Williams are the only other LBs on that squad, while green team has Jeffrey Bassa, Jestin Jacobs, Devon Jackson, and Emar’rion Winston.
Takeaway: Linebacker Depth Impossible to Ignore
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From a bird’s eye view, it is entirely clear that depth is needed at the linebacker spot. There are only 8 guys rostered at the position for the spring game, and only three have legitimate experience at this level. Of those three, one is a converted safety who is still transitioning to that position.
Don’t be shocked to see the Ducks add another LB in the portal this month, they desperately need the depth.
Player Matchup: Troy Franklin/Traeshon Holden vs. Trikweze Bridges/Jahlil Florence
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Now we get into the WR/CB matchups that everyone wants to see. The coaching staff did a good job dividing this up and giving us some of the top WRs vs. the top CBs. On the green team, you’ve got Troy Franklin and Traeshon Holden going up against yellow’s Trikweze Bridges and Jahlil Florence.
I give an early edge to green in this battle, but it will be fun to watch.
Player Matchup: Kris Hutson/Kyler Kasper vs. Dontae Manning/Khyree Jackson
(Photo by Zachary Neel | USA TODAY Sports)
Similarly, the matchup between the Yellow’s WRs and Green’s CBs is going to be fun to watch as well. Kris Hutson and Kyler Kasper vs. Dontae Manning and Khyree Jackson is enticing. Both Hutson and Manning have a lot to prove, while this will be the first we see from Kasper and Jackson in an Oregon uniform. Sign me up.
Player Matchup: Camden Lewis vs. Grant Meadors
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These players will never be on the field at the same time, but it will be fun to watch what Camden Lewis can do, and what Grant Meadors can do. I don’t think Lewis is in any jeopardy of losing his starting job, but by all intents and purposes, Meadors is the future at the K spot once Lewis graduates this next year. Let’s see what they can do.
