Projecting Ducks’ offensive depth chart following Oregon Spring Game
The Oregon Ducks’ spring game came and went, and with it came the close of the spring football season in Eugene. We are now once again officially in the second part of the offseason, waiting for a few months until players get back on the gridiron ahead of the start of the 2023 season.
We covered the spring game extensively over the past couple of days. Whether it’s our biggest takeaways or an overall report card for each position group, we’ve got you covered. I also told you my thoughts on QB Ty Thompson, and how after a rough start to the game, I was incredibly impressed at how he turned things around and had a nice outing.
We’ve got attendance numbers, a photo gallery, Twitter reactions, and a look back on how all of the recruits in town enjoyed the experience. Now it’s time to look forward and see if we learned anything from these past several weeks.
Coming into the spring, we had an idea about what the depth chart was going to look like for the Ducks. After watching practices and the scrimmage on Saturday, we may have updated opinions on how things are going to shape out.
Here’s our updated prediction for the Oregon depth chart, starting with the offense:
Quarterback
John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Starter: Bo Nix
Projected Back-Up: Ty Thompson
Analysis
No surprises here. Bo Nix is the guy, and the Ducks seem to have a talented backup QB in Ty Thompson, who is starting to come along and show some flashes of what many Duck fans thought he eventually could be.
Running Back
(Photo by Ali Gradischer/Getty Images)
Projected Starter: Bucky Irving // Noah Whittington
Projected Back-Up: Jordan James // Dante Dowdell
Analysis
We didn’t see much from Bucky Irving or Noah Whittington in the spring game, but the biggest change on the depth chart for me is the fact that I’ve moved Dante Dowdell up into a share of the backup spot with Jordan James. I think that the Ducks will try to use his physicality as a freshman, and get him on the field more than we initially thought they might.
Wide Receiver
(AP Photo/Andy Nelson)
Projected Starter (X): Troy Franklin
Projected Back-Up (X): Kyler Kasper
Projected Starter (Slot): Tez Johnson
Projected Back-Up (Slot): Justius Lowe
Projected Starter (Z): Kris Hutson
Projected Back-Up (Z): Traeshon Holden
Analysis
Outside of Troy Franklin, and probably Tez Johnson, this entire depth chart should be written in a very light pencil. There’s a chance that Oregon adds more players to the WR room, with USC WR Gary Bryant Junior and UTSA WR Zakhari Franklin on the open market, and Oregon likely getting in the mix.
Should the Ducks add a pair of incredibly talented WRs this summer, it could change everything. You also have 5-star WR Jurrion Dickey getting to Eugene this summer as well. This depth chart could look completely different in the fall.
Tight End
Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Starter: Terrance Ferguson
Projected Back-Up: Kenyon Sadiq // Patrick Herbert
Analysis
No Terrance Ferguson in the spring game, but that doesn’t change the fact that he will be the starter when healthy. One thing that the spring game did show me was Kenyon Sadiq’s ability, forcing me to move him ahead of Patrick Herbert on the depth chart.
Oregon also added Ole Miss transfer Casey Kelly to the roster last week, so we will see where he slots in this fall.
Left Tackle
Projected Starter: Josh Conerly
Projected Back-Up: Faaope Laloulu
Analysis
Again, no surprises here. Josh Conerly is your starting left tackle, and the Ducks have a really solid backup in Faaope Laloulu. The left side of the line is strong.
Left Guard
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Projected Starter: Junior Angilau
Projected Back-Up: Marcus Harper
Analysis
I’m a little bit less confident about this since there is still a position battle to sort out both at the center and left guard positions. It feels like when healthy, Texas transfer Junior Angilau will be the starter, but there’s a chance that Marcus Harper could get back in the mix as well. Of course, Harper is also competing for the starting center spot, so we’ll see how all of that sorts itself out.
Center
(AP Photo/Andy Nelson)
Projected Starter: Jackson Powers-Johnson
Projected Back-Up: Marcus Harper
Analysis
This is another one of the big position battles on the offensive line, and I think that Jackson Powers-Johnson currently has the job to lose. He was the No. 1 center at the spring game this weekend and has gotten some valuable experience while Harper has been injured. In the end, that extra exposure could be the difference in giving JPJ the starting spot.
Right Guard
(Photo by Zachary Neel | USA TODAY)
Projected Starter: Steven Jones
Projected Back-Up: Kawika Rogers
Analysis
No shock here, Steven Jones has been the leading candidate to take over as the starting right guard after Ryan Walk left this past year. Jones is a massive body and will serve well in that role. Behind him, redshirt freshman Kawika Rogers has been getting some valuable reps, and looked good in the spring game.
Right Tackle
Projected Starter: Ajani Cornelius
Projected Back-Up: George Silva
Analysis
Ajani Cornelius easily slots in as the starting right tackle, which gives the Ducks a great bookend to the line with Conely on one side and Cornelius on the other. Behind Cornelius, George Silva has looked good this spring, and should be coming along nicely by the time the season rolls around.
Kicker
Field Goal Kicker
Projected Starter: Camden Lewis
Projected Back-Up: Grant Meadors
Kick-Off Specialist
Projected Starter: Camden Lewis
Projected Back-Up: Grant Meadors
Analysis
Camden Lewis has looked great this spring in both field goal kicking and kick-offs, going a perfect 3-for-3 on FG and booting several into the endzone on Saturday. Grant Meadors could be the future at the position, but there should be no question about Lewis’ role this year.
Punter
(Photo Courtesy of Zachary Neel | USA TODAY)
Projected Starter: Luke Dunne
Projected Back-Up: Ross James
Analysis
This is going to be a fun competition to watch, but I think Luke Dunne takes it in the end. Ross James had some nice punts in the spring game, but Dunne still has the consistency that the team is looking for.
Kick Return
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Starter: Bucky Irving // Noah Whittington
Projected Back-Up: Jordan James // Jayden Limar
Analysis
Special Teams coordinator Joe Lorig talked this spring about wishing he could go back and realize that Bucky Irving was good at returning kicks last year. That leads me to believe that both he and Noah Whittington will be the mainstays this season.
Punt Return
Projected Starter: Tez Johnson
Projected Back-Up: Cole Martin
Analysis
Tez Johnson typically gets the first reps returning punts in practice, and we’ve see the dynamism that he brings to the field. Cole Martin is someone who really showed out in the spring game and had a nice 29-yard return as well.
