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Oregon football: 3 breakout candidates on defense for 2021 season

By Connor Muldowney

May 1, 2021; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks cornerback Dontae Manning (8) runs the ball after an interception during the Oregon Spring Game at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2021; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks cornerback Dontae Manning (8) runs the ball after an interception during the Oregon Spring Game at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 18, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oregon Ducks safety Jamal Hill (19) deflects a pass intended for Southern California Trojans wide receiver Drake London (15) in the fourth quarter during the Pac-12 Championship at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Oregon defeated USC 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oregon Ducks safety Jamal Hill (19) deflects a pass intended for Southern California Trojans wide receiver Drake London (15) in the fourth quarter during the Pac-12 Championship at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Oregon defeated USC 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Former three-star safety Jamal Hill didn’t exactly fit the blue-chip mold of most of Oregon’s projected starters for the 2021 season coming out of high school in 2019, but he has all the talent to be one of those All-Pac-12 performers for the Ducks.

Hill is projected to be the starting nickelback in the new-look defense under Tim DeRuyter as a safety/linebacker hybrid.

The redshirt sophomore has played in just 11 career games, recording 30 total tackles, four pass deflections, and two interceptions. Most of his production came from six games in 2020, picking up 24 tackles, both of his career picks, and all four of his pass deflections. That’s proof that he can be the every-down starter at nickel and star there.

The coaching staff has raved about Hill this offseason and Mario Cristobal admitted he expects big things from the sophomore nickel.

I would not be shocked to see him make one of the All-Pac-12 teams this fall.

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