EUGENE — Oregon opens spring practice Thursday and several players have a chance to gain or lose a lot over the next month.
Several jobs on the two-deep are open, particularly in the secondary, and new defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter is installing his scheme.
Some spots will not be determined until the summer and fall camp, but many will be sorted out by the end of the May 1 spring game.
Here are 5 Oregon players with the most to gain or lose during spring practice, with an emphasis on potential to see a dramatic move on the depth chart.
Gain: Wide receivers Troy Franklin, Dont’e Thornton
Two of Oregon’s three receiver signees in the 2021 recruiting class, Franklin and Thornton have gone through the winter conditioning program and have a chance to contend for spots on the two deep.
Oregon’s top receivers are all back so starting spots are likely locked down, but backup and significant rotational roles are very much up for grabs. Franklin and Thornton both have height and length that most of UO’s returning wide outs lack and could put themselves in position to contribute quickly.
Gain: Tight ends Terrance Ferguson, Moliki Matavao
Similar to the receivers, Ferguson and Matavao are also early enrollees and have a chance to push for meaningful reps in a hurry.
Much will depend on the health of Cam McCormick, Spencer Webb and Patrick Herbert, who were all injured last fall. But with only DJ Johnson as the only returning tight end with a catch last season, the two deep is open.
Additionally, the depth on the offensive and defensive lines should lend the Ducks to getting more tight ends on the field throughout the spring compared to a typical year.
Gain: Cornerback Dontae Manning
Manning barely got to see the field before a season-ending injury in the fall. On paper, he should be no worse than the No. 3 outside corner. However, with the boundary corner spot open it’s possible he pushes DJ James for the starting job and that’s why view his upside as worthy of being among the most to gain over the next five weeks.
Lose: Wide receiver/cornerback Bryan Addison
For one, what is Addison’s position? He moved from receiver to cornerback during the fall due to Oregon’s dwindling depth in the secondary due to injuries. The other receivers to do that, Daewood Davis and JR Waters, transferred this winter.
Regardless of whether Addison is on offense or defense, he’s facing an influx of younger competition and a relative ceiling on how high he can climb. Thornton and Franklin come in at receiver, Manning and Jaylin Davies are at outside corner and experienced starters or significant contributors are back at both spots.
Lose: Defensive back Trikweze Bridges
Bridges was brought in as a developmental safety and he’s set to enter his third season without a definitive position and a new position coach.
It’s simply not easy to find a slot for him on the two deep. The deep safety spots are pretty well set and have Daymon David added to the mix. Outside corner has ample young talent in James, Manning and Davies. Jamal Hill has nickel locked down and Jeffrey Bassa could open there.
Lose: Offensive lineman Christopher Randazzo
Randazzo opted out of last season. He’s still listed on Oregon’s roster, indicating he did return for the spring. The starters are all back and last year’s signees all benefited from the practices in the fall.
With four more additions along the offensive line, competition will be endless. With 19 players on the offensive line, even when removing the six returning starters there is a two-deep worth of talent to contend with.
Lose: Defensive tackle Suavaa Poti
Even with Oregon replacing its starting defensive tackles, the volume of depth at the position leaves Poti in a precarious spot. He’s clearly behind Brandon Dorlus, Popo Aumavae, Kristian Williams and Keyon Ware-Hudson. If he’s next in line, that’s not a bad place to be.
The problem is Jake Shipley, Jaylen Smith, Jayson Jones and Keanu Williams are all vying for that next spot too and they’re all younger than Poti.
Lose: Kicker Camden Lewis
After losing the place kicking duties last fall it’s hard to see where Lewis fits. He still kept the kickoff responsibilities, but his touchback percentage has been extremely low for two years, though he fared better late last season.
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April 01, 2021 at 09:03PM
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5 Oregon players with most to gain, lose during spring practice 2021 - OregonLive
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