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Oregon Football: 3 newcomers who’ll have the biggest impacts in 2021

By Connor Muldowney

May 1, 2021; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Troy Franklin (11) makes a catch in front of corner back Jaylin Davies (6) during Oregon Spring Game at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2021; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Troy Franklin (11) makes a catch in front of corner back Jaylin Davies (6) during Oregon Spring Game at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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The start of the 2021 Oregon football season is right around the corner and that means fans will get their first glimpse at the new roster when the Ducks kick off against Fresno State.

The excitement of a fresh year with new faces in prominent positions is palpable, especially with a team coming off a Pac-12 title for the second straight season and likely to be in contention for a College Football Playoff berth. Oregon is being slightly overlooked to begin the season, but make no mistake, this is a top-10 team.

Oregon will have one of the most talented rosters in the country and that could help the Ducks buck the trend and get the Pac-12 back to the playoff.

Which fresh faces will have the biggest impacts on the Ducks’ playoff push in 2021, though?

This one might be a bit of a surprise, but with DJ James getting suspended a week ago, Mario Cristobal has some decisions to make on his depth chart at the cornerback position, and why not give Jaylin Davies a shot after a strong spring as an early enrollee?

Dontae Manning is the projected starter in place of James and I think he has All-Pac-12 potential and I even thought he could win the starting job regardless, but don’t overlook Davies.

The freshman was ranked the No. 150 player in the 2021 class and also the nation’s 10th-best cornerback, according to the composite. National recruiting analyst for 247Sports Greg Biggins compares him to Vontae Davis of the Buffalo Bills as he said he likes his short-area quickness and aggressiveness, but needs to work on his athleticism and overall speed.

I really like Avantae Dickerson as well, but the fact that Davies enrolled early gives him a leg up and James’ suspension opened a door here that I didn’t think would be ajar a month ago.

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