Photo by: Eric Evans/GoDucks.com
Preseason Camp Preview: LB
07/26/24 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley
Assessing how things stack up for the UO football program entering the start of preseason camp July 31.
LINEBACKER
Who's back: Oregon's defense in 2024 could feature one of the elite inside linebacker tandems in the country. Jeffrey Bassa is the quarterback for the Ducks on that side of the ball, and over the second half of last season his primary partner was Jestin Jacobs. Bassa is the UO defense's top returning tackler this year after amassing 71 last season, and Jacobs tied for a game-high seven in this year's Spring Game. There's experienced depth from Devon Jackson, Connor Soelle, Jerry Mixon and Bryce Boettcher, who plans to play one more season of football despite being drafted by the MLB's Houston Astros this summer. And there's experience for the "look" team from Chip Allers and Will Straton.
On the outside, the Ducks will be looking for more from a really encouraging group of young players who made their presence felt in 2023. Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti each had two sacks as true freshmen last fall, and Tuioti had 2.5 in this year's Spring Game. Blake Purchase and Emar'rion Winston provide more youthful athleticism off the edge, and Jaeden Moore is looking to join his classmates as an impact player after preserving his redshirt while developing in 2023.
Who's new: The next wave of impact linebackers for Oregon arrived in the spring. Kamar Mothudi and Brayden Platt are a talented tandem on the inside, and Dylan Williams joins them for preseason camp. On the edge, five-star recruit Elijah Rushing and fellow edge defender Jaxson Jones also enrolled in time for spring practices.
What to watch: As camp opens, the development of the edge defenders is probably the top story to watch here. They commanded attention in their transition to college a year ago, and now the expectation will be that they build on that development and blossom into impact regulars. On the inside, a full season of Bassa and Jacobs together will be fun to watch, and the veterans behind them can form a solid rotation. The good news both inside and out is, with all the depth on hand, competition will push everyone in both groups. The beneficiary will be the Oregon defense as a whole.
Who's back: Oregon's defense in 2024 could feature one of the elite inside linebacker tandems in the country. Jeffrey Bassa is the quarterback for the Ducks on that side of the ball, and over the second half of last season his primary partner was Jestin Jacobs. Bassa is the UO defense's top returning tackler this year after amassing 71 last season, and Jacobs tied for a game-high seven in this year's Spring Game. There's experienced depth from Devon Jackson, Connor Soelle, Jerry Mixon and Bryce Boettcher, who plans to play one more season of football despite being drafted by the MLB's Houston Astros this summer. And there's experience for the "look" team from Chip Allers and Will Straton.
On the outside, the Ducks will be looking for more from a really encouraging group of young players who made their presence felt in 2023. Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti each had two sacks as true freshmen last fall, and Tuioti had 2.5 in this year's Spring Game. Blake Purchase and Emar'rion Winston provide more youthful athleticism off the edge, and Jaeden Moore is looking to join his classmates as an impact player after preserving his redshirt while developing in 2023.
Who's new: The next wave of impact linebackers for Oregon arrived in the spring. Kamar Mothudi and Brayden Platt are a talented tandem on the inside, and Dylan Williams joins them for preseason camp. On the edge, five-star recruit Elijah Rushing and fellow edge defender Jaxson Jones also enrolled in time for spring practices.
What to watch: As camp opens, the development of the edge defenders is probably the top story to watch here. They commanded attention in their transition to college a year ago, and now the expectation will be that they build on that development and blossom into impact regulars. On the inside, a full season of Bassa and Jacobs together will be fun to watch, and the veterans behind them can form a solid rotation. The good news both inside and out is, with all the depth on hand, competition will push everyone in both groups. The beneficiary will be the Oregon defense as a whole.
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