Offense and Defense - 2024 vs. 2025

[StevensTechU]

I'm in preview mode mentally and thinking about how the Ducks compare to themselves from a year ago. I'm going to break this more into function than into position group.

Offense

Pass Game: This seems like the most obvious step backward. The pass game is the QB, OL, WR, and TE, with a slight impact by the RB room, and across the board I think you see talent but that it's maybe not going to be fully baked yet. Starting with the OL, the starting group looks like it could be good, but you're banking on guys like World, Harkey, and Bedford taking steps forward from when and where they last played. Last year's squad had 2 offensive tackles get taken in the NFL draft, and I just don't see the congruency or skill there, so I expect Moore to experience more pressure than Gabriel did. As far as receivers, the team loses an all-time great WR in Tez, has the injury loss of Evan Stewart, and while the room has talent, I wouldn't lay money down for any guy will be a 1st or 2nd teamer in the country. The upside compared to 2024 is that Kenyon Sadiq can outperform Terrance Ferguson, but so far we haven't seen that level of polish, not to mention there isn't an obvious 2nd TE this year. Lastly, at QB, we all know that arm talent will get a boost, but give me Gabriel with less pressure over Moore with more pressure, when comparing to last year. Verdict: Stock down.

Run Game: The starting line through most of last year - Connerly, Strother, Poncho, Harper, Cornelius, with a few others like Iuli and Rogers mixed in - was atrocious in pass pro but pretty pretty fair in opening up lanes at the beginning of the year, and pretty solid at pass pro but still just pretty fair at opening lanes at year's end. In the Big Ten, Oregon ranked 6th For as much hype as he's received, I haven't seen Poncho as much of a people mover or an athletic Hroniss Grasu-like player who excels at getting to the second level. Harper had a better 2023 than 2024, unfortunately, and Strother was kind of the definition of 'serviceable.' Iuli was bad (frequently off balance or out of position), and Rogers I'm hoping gets better as he gets older and stronger. Insert Pregnon, who is an all-american caliber people-mover, Poncho is a year older, and Bedford is a grown man in year 7 of college football who projects as being in the Harper range of skill level if he stays healthy. The tackles, I think, will be less effective in the run game than their predecessors. And the running back? Makhi Hughes might be the best 0-30 yard runner in college football this year. Compared to Jordon James, I would say he's a tick up in skill despite being a little slower. All-in-all, I can see a bruising run game where 3rd down and short isn't the scary thought that it's been at times in our past. Verdict: Stock up.

Defense

Pass Game: In conference, Oregon was 5th in interceptions, 1st in sacks, and in the top 20 nationally in pass yards per game. Though everyone seemed to get their share of grief, veterans like Jabbar Muhammad, Brandon Johnson, Kobe Savage, Tysheem Johnson and Nikko Reed made up much of what may be the most experienced secondary we have had, at least in recent memory. Though Muhammad and Savage in particular didn't play at the level that they had at prior schools, the stats help tell the story of a group that was good before falling apart in the Rose Bowl. Although the new group has some familiar names like Jahlil Florence, size and athleticism will try to replace skill and experience, though the staff supplemented that with one of country's best safeties Dillon Thieneman and a solid Theran Johnson at corner/nickel. It will be fun to watch players like Woodyard, Ify, Daylen Austin, Flowers, et al improve, but I do fully expect some frustration along the way. While I expect the back end to take a step back, part of me wonders if Oregon can become even more effective at getting to the quarterback. A'mauri, Bear, Matayo, and Blake Purchase make up the most ridiculous group of pass rushers I've ever seen for the Ducks, as all 4 are going to be NFL players. While I don't think it's a foregone conclusion... Verdict: Stock down

Run Game: The losses of Derrick Harmon and Jamaree Caldwell are likely to be most felt in the defensive run game. To conjure an image, picture Harmon ripping the ball out of a running back's arms in the backfield, forcing and recovering a fumble on his own; I doubt we'll have that kind of disruptor in the run game this year, even though I'm very high on the young players. I'll be curious to see what Boettcher's ceiling is, see if Devon Jackson can be more than just an athletic freak or if someone will pass him by, and see how the new safeties get utilized. Though I don't expect a lot of drop off, I don't see an improvement. Verdict: Stock down

[GrantDuck]

Only really disagree on pass defense. I expect the pass defense to be quite a bit better this year. Ify is going to be better than any DB we had last year and safety play will be better.

I'm most worried about left tackle and run defense(linebacker in partiuclar)

[UofDuck]

Only really disagree on pass defense. I expect the pass defense to be quite a bit better this year. Ify is going to be better than any DB we had last year and safety play will be better.

I'm most worried about left tackle and run defense(linebacker in partiuclar)

Hope that Boilermaker Safety transfer is as legit as I’ve read. I haven’t watched any film on him.


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[GrantDuck]

Only really disagree on pass defense. I expect the pass defense to be quite a bit better this year. Ify is going to be better than any DB we had last year and safety play will be better.

I'm most worried about left tackle and run defense(linebacker in partiuclar)

Hope that Boilermaker Safety transfer is as legit as I’ve read. I haven’t watched any film on him.


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From what I've watched, he's got a lot more range/instinct against the pass than our safeties recently, but he struggled at times in the open field against good running backs. (Notre Dame in particular).

[OrTDuck]

I was worried about replacing 4 guys on the OL; but, as the season approaches, I've gotten cautiously more optimistic. The four new starters are all grown men with a lot of college football behind them. I think World gave up one sack last year, zero for Pregnon and Poncho, one for Bedford his last year at Indiana, and Harkley being the closest to an outlier allowing 4. Obviously adding sacks doesn't work that way but it is something. I would be pretty surprised if it wasn't at least an above average run blocking unit.

I understand a bit of nit-picking on film with guys like World and Thieneman; but, I wonder if some of that can be guys either trying to do too much; or, occasionally losing focus, on bad teams? World went 7-30 his last 3 years at Nevada; and, Thieneman went 1-11 last year with a Purdue defense that gave up 39.9 ppg and 119th in defensive F+.

Before the Stewart injury, you could at least squint and see a path for the WR group being close to 2024. Stewart, former #2 WR prospect, finally breaking through, Dakorian with less pressure as a #2 having a big first year; and, whoever from Lowe, Bensen, or possibly McClellen stepping up to that 3 or 4 catch and 50 ypg #3 spot (especially considering Moore's penchant for wanting to push the ball downfield).
With Dakorian now possibly expected to be a #1 (and getting #1 WR attention from the defense) and now needing bigger contributions from the Lowe/Bensen/McClellen/Kasper group? Looks much different.

Worry about loosing those two big DTs who were excellent last year; but, the rebuilt defensive front looks very interesting. A lot of guys who I think the staff would feel comfortable playing/want to get snaps, is a good problem to have. Finally, everyone seems to have Florence penciled in (and I hope they are right); but, reading between the lines a bit, word seems to be they don't know yet. It's been what now? 20-21 months since the injury? In football terms that's a pretty long road. I am sure everyone has their fingers crossed.

Feel pretty good about the other two safety spots. Kobe and Tysheem were the ultimate experienced super high floor guys (which was exactly what they were brought in to be). When competition got better, is where I think some cracks sometimes showed. I can live with some mistakes over the season for the upside in talent, size, and athleticism. It just seems its been a while now since we have gotten much more than "solid but not spectacular" out of the safety spots. Will be happy to get more "impact/playmaking" there. At TE, excited to see a healthy Jabari Johnson (and even the bit of buzz coming from Saleapaga).

[StevensTechU]

At TE, excited to see a healthy Jabari Johnson (and even the bit of buzz coming from Saleapaga).

I actually completely forgot about the Johnson transfer. I thought Ferguson was solid but was pretty surprised with how high he went in the draft. Whether the stock is up or down at that position still depends on Sadiq's progression, but I do like it a lot more with Johnson being there.

Just additional context for my opinion- we're comparing these functions to a team that went 13-0, finished the regular season #1 and would've been crowned the national champ in basically any other season. It's hard to be stock up.

[buckmarkduck]

If you ever got a chance to watch the all 22, you could see we and te (specifically Sediq) running wide open lots of times last year. Yet Dillon couldn’t see them. I’m hoping Moore gets those guys the ball this year. Which would change our O significantly, and keep teams from loading the box to stop our RBs, which I actually could be better than last season. I loved James, but I believe this group has more talent and depth overall.

[GrantDuck]

I was worried about replacing 4 guys on the OL; but, as the season approaches, I've gotten cautiously more optimistic. The four new starters are all grown men with a lot of college football behind them. I think World gave up one sack last year, zero for Pregnon and Poncho, one for Bedford his last year at Indiana, and Harkley being the closest to an outlier allowing 4. Obviously adding sacks doesn't work that way but it is something. I would be pretty surprised if it wasn't at least an above average run blocking unit.

I understand a bit of nit-picking on film with guys like World and Thieneman; but, I wonder if some of that can be guys either trying to do too much; or, occasionally losing focus, on bad teams? World went 7-30 his last 3 years at Nevada; and, Thieneman went 1-11 last year with a Purdue defense that gave up 39.9 ppg and 119th in defensive F+.

Before the Stewart injury, you could at least squint and see a path for the WR group being close to 2024. Stewart, former #2 WR prospect, finally breaking through, Dakorian with less pressure as a #2 having a big first year; and, whoever from Lowe, Bensen, or possibly McClellen stepping up to that 3 or 4 catch and 50 ypg #3 spot (especially considering Moore's penchant for wanting to push the ball downfield).
With Dakorian now possibly expected to be a #1 (and getting #1 WR attention from the defense) and now needing bigger contributions from the Lowe/Bensen/McClellen/Kasper group? Looks much different.

Worry about loosing those two big DTs who were excellent last year; but, the rebuilt defensive front looks very interesting. A lot of guys who I think the staff would feel comfortable playing/want to get snaps, is a good problem to have. Finally, everyone seems to have Florence penciled in (and I hope they are right); but, reading between the lines a bit, word seems to be they don't know yet. It's been what now? 20-21 months since the injury? In football terms that's a pretty long road. I am sure everyone has their fingers crossed.

Feel pretty good about the other two safety spots. Kobe and Tysheem were the ultimate experienced super high floor guys (which was exactly what they were brought in to be). When competition got better, is where I think some cracks sometimes showed. I can live with some mistakes over the season for the upside in talent, size, and athleticism. It just seems its been a while now since we have gotten much more than "solid but not spectacular" out of the safety spots. Will be happy to get more "impact/playmaking" there. At TE, excited to see a healthy Jabari Johnson (and even the bit of buzz coming from Saleapaga).

All good points. I'm optimistic about Malik Benson at WR. Sounds like he made some big plays in the 1st scrimmage.

[UOducksTK1]

I was worried about replacing 4 guys on the OL; but, as the season approaches, I've gotten cautiously more optimistic. The four new starters are all grown men with a lot of college football behind them. I think World gave up one sack last year, zero for Pregnon and Poncho, one for Bedford his last year at Indiana, and Harkley being the closest to an outlier allowing 4. Obviously adding sacks doesn't work that way but it is something. I would be pretty surprised if it wasn't at least an above average run blocking unit.

I understand a bit of nit-picking on film with guys like World and Thieneman; but, I wonder if some of that can be guys either trying to do too much; or, occasionally losing focus, on bad teams? World went 7-30 his last 3 years at Nevada; and, Thieneman went 1-11 last year with a Purdue defense that gave up 39.9 ppg and 119th in defensive F+.

Before the Stewart injury, you could at least squint and see a path for the WR group being close to 2024. Stewart, former #2 WR prospect, finally breaking through, Dakorian with less pressure as a #2 having a big first year; and, whoever from Lowe, Bensen, or possibly McClellen stepping up to that 3 or 4 catch and 50 ypg #3 spot (especially considering Moore's penchant for wanting to push the ball downfield).
With Dakorian now possibly expected to be a #1 (and getting #1 WR attention from the defense) and now needing bigger contributions from the Lowe/Bensen/McClellen/Kasper group? Looks much different.

Worry about loosing those two big DTs who were excellent last year; but, the rebuilt defensive front looks very interesting. A lot of guys who I think the staff would feel comfortable playing/want to get snaps, is a good problem to have. Finally, everyone seems to have Florence penciled in (and I hope they are right); but, reading between the lines a bit, word seems to be they don't know yet. It's been what now? 20-21 months since the injury? In football terms that's a pretty long road. I am sure everyone has their fingers crossed.

Feel pretty good about the other two safety spots. Kobe and Tysheem were the ultimate experienced super high floor guys (which was exactly what they were brought in to be). When competition got better, is where I think some cracks sometimes showed. I can live with some mistakes over the season for the upside in talent, size, and athleticism. It just seems its been a while now since we have gotten much more than "solid but not spectacular" out of the safety spots. Will be happy to get more "impact/playmaking" there. At TE, excited to see a healthy Jabari Johnson (and even the bit of buzz coming from Saleapaga).

All good points. I'm optimistic about Malik Benson at WR. Sounds like he made some big plays in the 1st scrimmage.

I could see it taking a few games for us to find our core WR group and for everyone to mesh. Hopefully just in time for Penn State game...