The Oregon Ducks have announced the depth chart for Week One after several weeks of Fall Camp and one name is dominating at the top. After working in the Oregon Ducks ‘system’ for just two weeks since his arrival, Eastern Washington Transfer Vernon Adams has won the starting job at Quarterback to begin the 2015 season against his former team, a storyline which will now likely continue to build until kickoff on September 5th. It was first reported by 247Sports on Friday afternoon, shortly after the Depth chart was released. Center Matt Hegarty was named the Starter at Center replacing Hroniss Grasu, now with the Chicago Bears.
Aside from Adams the other real surprise was at Cornerback, where former Quarterback Ty Griffin was named second string in his new position after moving to the position earlier this month in an attempt to earn and see some playing time this season. The Starter at Wide Receiver is Dwayne Stanford with Bralon Addison taking the number two position. Tight End Evan Bayliss won the starting position at Tight End. Addison is also listed as the top return man for kickoffs and punts.
Starting Running Back Royce Freeman will look to pickup where he left off in 2014 with backup Kani Benoit. Thomas Tyner will miss the season after shoulder surgery a few weeks ago. The Defensive side of the ball will see some new faces as well as some familiar ones.
DeForest Buckner and Alex Balducci look to lead Oregon up front with Arrion Springs and Chris Sesay anchoring the Cornerbacks for the opener against Eastern Washington. Ugo Amadi will also see plenty of playing time for Oregon at Corner. It will be interesting to watch this young Defense the first week to see the talent level. They will certainly need to show something entering the game the following week at Michigan State. The big story for me with the Depth Chart is Adams.
Three years ago the program handed the Offensive keys to a young man named Marcus Mariota, who did not take long to cement himself as the Starter for the Oregon Ducks. Vernon Adams, in two weeks of practice after passing the most important math exam of his life now takes the keys and had an opportunity to thrive and to lead Oregon through the Top ten and to a possible repeat in the College Football Playoff. One man who seems to be left out today is Jeff Lockie, who had a phenomenal Fall Camp. He will again be relegated to the backup, for now. I expect he will get his time on the field to shine early in the season. I don’t believe this is Adams’ team just yet, the second game of the year will tell a lot about how this tale will unfold.
One game at a time. Eastern Washington comes to Autzen next Saturday for a 5pm Pacific Time kickoff.
Next: Oregon Football Preview: Eastern Washington Eagles Look For Upset At Autzen