Oregon Football Junior Center Jake Hanson has been recognized and been named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List.
Hanson is one of a few players who is versatile along the Offensive Line that Head Coach Mario Cristobal is transforming into a more solid and physical front for the Ducks. Hanson has been consistent over the last two seasons with 25 consecutive starts at Center and has had the important role of helping set the Defense and also protect Quarterback Justin Herbert.
Since he became Starter in 2016, Hanson has played over 1800 snaps on the field for Oregon Football an has not allowed a sack. Last season, Offensive Lineman Tyrell Crosby, now with the Detroit Lions, also accomplished the feat of not allowing a sack on the Oregon Quarterback for the entire season. Success in the trenches is dependent on your teammates, and both Crosby and Hanson were able to feed off each other on the field.
Hanson has also used his physicality as a run blocker helping Oregon Running Backs put up big numbers over the last two seasons. On the ground, the Oregon Ducks have seen 19 of 25 games with Hanson in the lineup rush for over 200 yards. Of those, eight were for 300 yards or more.
More from Autzen Zoo
- Oregon football: Ducks and Coach Prime playing it cordial leading up to Saturday
- Oregon Basketball: Non-conference slate features Michigan coming to Eugene
- Oregon football: Ducks find complete game effort in win vs Hawaii
- Oregon Ducks must get run game going against Hawaii
- 8 Pac-12 teams represented in Associated Press Top 25 after Week 2
Former Oregon Running Back Royce Freeman became the Oregon Ducks All-time leading rusher this past season, in part due to a physical front seven and Hanson was a big part of the reason that Freeman was able to find success(and holes) to rush through over the last two seasons.
Mario Cristobal came to Oregon Football as an Offensive Line Coach and following the departure of Willie Taggart was named Head Coach for the Oregon Ducks. While his focus is now on the team, the Offensive Line is always a key component to the game for Cristobal. Games are won and lost in the trenches and even through Hanson will have a few new faces along the Offensive Line this season, he will be a leader on and off the field for the Ducks in 2018.