Oregon Football: 3 position battles to watch during 2021 spring game

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 19: Mykael Wright #2 (L) and Verone McKinley III #23 of the Oregon Ducks celebrate after holding on fourth down against the Washington Huskies in the fourth quarter during their game at Husky Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 19: Mykael Wright #2 (L) and Verone McKinley III #23 of the Oregon Ducks celebrate after holding on fourth down against the Washington Huskies in the fourth quarter during their game at Husky Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
3 of 4
EUGENE, OREGON – NOVEMBER 16: Jaxen Turner #21 of the Arizona Wildcats is tackled by Mykael Wright #2 of the Oregon Ducks in the second quarter during their game at Autzen Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OREGON – NOVEMBER 16: Jaxen Turner #21 of the Arizona Wildcats is tackled by Mykael Wright #2 of the Oregon Ducks in the second quarter during their game at Autzen Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

2. Cornerback

The cornerback position may seem all locked up with Mykael Wright looking like a budding star there and DJ James on the other side, but there are guys chomping at the bit to push for a starting spot.

Wright has pretty much locked up one of the cornerback spots after a breakout season saw the former top-100 recruit rack up 27 tackles and nine pass breakups but the other side may not be as solidified as you may think. James looks like the current favorite to start because of his experience but guys like Dontae Manning and Trikweze Bridges will be top options.

Manning played primarily special teams last season but he’s more than capable of being a lockdown corner at the next level, as evidenced by his top-50 recruiting ranking.

Outside of Bridges and Manning, Jaylin Davis will be a name to watch. He’s an incoming freshman and top-150 recruit in the 2021 class who enrolled early and he’s already impressing. He could be this season’s breakout freshman in the secondary.

Those five guys are going to have one heck of a battle on Saturday afternoon to see who the last two standing are heading into the summer.

Schedule

Schedule