The spring football season has come and gone for the Oregon Ducks, and it ended with a largely entertaining spring game last weekend, which the Combat Ducks won over the Fighting Ducks, 17-10, thanks to a walkoff touchdown from Dakorien Moore.
While the final score is largely insignificant, the spring game did give us a good look at the new iteration of the roster in Eugene, highlighting the play from a bunch of young talent and several veteran players fighting for snaps.
So, what did we learn when all was said and done? While it is too early to write a depth chart in pen, I think we can get a general sense of who will play where and which players will have the biggest roles. Going into the spring game, we predicted what the depth chart would look like, and after seeing four quarters of action, here's how our opinions have changed:
Nose Tackle
• Starter: Bear Alexander
• Backup: Matthew Johnson
• Other Names to Know: Aydin Breland / Jerome Simmons
• Changes Post Spring Game: Move Adyin Breland Up
Analysis: Nothing changed at the top for me at the nose tackle spot, but I did move Aydin Breland up over Jerome Simmons. Breland looked fantastic in the spring game, and I think they're going to get him on the field as much as possible.
Defensive Tackle
• Starter: A'Mauri Washington
• Backup: D'Antre Robinson
• Other Names to Know: Matt Johnson / Aydin Breland
• Changes Post Spring Game: None
Analysis: I debated moving either Aydin Breland or Matt Johnson up over D'Antre Robinson, but it's tough to do. I think all three of these guys behind A'Mauri Washington are very good and will see a lot of the field.
Defensive End
• Starter: Matayo Uiagalelei
• Backup: Elijah Rushing
• Other Names to Know: Tank Jones / Prince Tavizon
• Changes Post Spring Game: None
Analysis: I think this is what we expected to see at the spring game, with all of these guys looking very solid. I think that Matayo Uiagalelei will undoubtedly be the guy, but look for Rushing to have a major impact behind him.
Jack Linebacker
• Starter: Teitum Tuioti
• Backup: Nasir Wyatt
• Other Names to Know: Tank Jones
• Changes Post Spring Game: None
Analysis: Again, nothing changes at this spot for me after the spring game. Teitum Tuioti didn't play in the game, but that doesn't change anything as far as his starting spot on the defense.
Strong Side Linebacker
• Starter: Nasir Wyatt
• Backup: Tank Jones
• Other Names to Know: Bleu Dantzler
• Changes Post Spring Game: Added Bleu Dantzler
Analysis: Oregon State transfer Bleu Dantzler was impressive in this game, with 2.5 sacks, and he added his name to the depth chart, in my opinion. At the top, you still have Nasir Wyatt leading the charge, and I think Tank Jones looked great in this role as well.
MAC Linebacker
• Starter: Devon Jackson
• Backup: Gavin Nix
• Other Names to Know: Dylan Williams / Brayden Platt
• Changes Post Spring Game: Move Brayden Platt down
Analysis: I'm not sure why Brayden Platt did not play, nor was he even seen at the spring game, but I can't help but move him down a couple of spots because of it. There is a high ceiling there, but he needs to prove himself before I can keep him high on the depth chart here. Regardless, Devon Jackson looked good on Saturday and did a nice job filling rushing lanes.
Money Linebacker
• Starter: Jerry Mixon
• Backup: Gavin Nix
• Other Names to Know: Brayden Platt
• Changes Post Spring Game: Move Brayden Platt down
Analysis: Again, Brayden Platt moves slightly down the list. However, this is Mixon at the top, and I think he will be one of the stories of the year for the defense. If the Ducks have any chance of making a championship run, Mixon is going to need to be among the best players on the defense.
Boundary Cornerback
• Starter: Ify Obidegwu
• Backup: Aaron Scott Jr.
• Other Names to Know: Na'eem Offord / Dorian Brew / Davon Benjamin
• Changes Post Spring Game: Move Aaron Scott Jr. up
Analysis: Ify Obidegwu will be the guy here for the Ducks, but I was impressed by what I saw from Aaron Scott Jr., who flew around and made some big plays in the spring game. There is a ton of depth and talent here for Oregon, so seeing who all gets on to the field will be entertaining early in the year.
Field Cornerback
• Starter: Brandon Finney Jr.
• Backup: Aaron Scott Jr.
• Other Names to Know: Davon Benjamin / Dorian Brew
• Changes Post Spring Game: None
Analysis: I didn't change this one at all, because I think that Scott is in a good spot, and could see the field behind Finney as well as Obidegwu. At the top, though, the Ducks have one of the best cornerbacks in the nation with Finney, so they should be set.
Boundary Safety
• Starter: Aaron Flowers
• Backup: Trey McNutt
• Other Names to Know: Jett Washington / Xavier Lherisse
• Changes Post Spring Game: None
Analysis: I didn't see anything in the spring game that would change my opinion here at the safety spot. Aaron Flowers has the starting role again, and I think Trey McNutt could be a huge difference-maker behind him.
Field Safety
• Starter: Koi Perich
• Backup: Peyton Woodyard
• Other Names to Know: Trey McNutt / Devin Jackson
• Changes Post Spring Game: None
Analysis: My opinion didn't change at this spot, but my confidence in Peyton Woodyard did increase. I think he looked really solid on Saturday and was flying around, making plays.
STAR/Nickel
• Starter: Carl Williams IV
• Backup: Na'eem Offord
• Other Names to Know: Davon Benjamin / Peyton Woodyard
• Changes Post Spring Game: None
Analysis: Again, there wasn't anything that I saw on Saturday that changed my opinion about the nickel spot. I think Carl Williams IV has the starting job, and then we see a pretty frequent rotation of young guys behind him.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Predicting Oregon Ducks' offensive depth chart post-spring game
