Oregon Football: How each 2021 position group compares to 2020

EUGENE, OREGON - MAY 01: Noah Sewell #1 and Verone McKinley III #23 of the Oregon Ducks pose for a photo during the Oregon spring game at Autzen Stadium on May 01, 2021 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OREGON - MAY 01: Noah Sewell #1 and Verone McKinley III #23 of the Oregon Ducks pose for a photo during the Oregon spring game at Autzen Stadium on May 01, 2021 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
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Nov 16, 2019; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) celebrates after stopping an offensive drive by the Arizona Wildcats during the second half at Autzen Stadium. The Oregon Ducks beat the Arizona Wildcats 34-6. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2019; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) celebrates after stopping an offensive drive by the Arizona Wildcats during the second half at Autzen Stadium. The Oregon Ducks beat the Arizona Wildcats 34-6. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive line

Better or worse: Equal

The defensive line should be just as good, if not better, than the 2020 version even with Austin Faoliu and Jordon Scott gone. Those two had solid careers in Eugene, but I have high hopes for Brandon Dorlus and Popo Aumavae. Those two could be even better than their predecessors.

Dorlus had a solid sophomore season, recording 14 tackles with two tackles and a sack in just seven games while Aumavae had 12 total tackles in five games.

Those two should be tough to handle for opposing offensive lines and you add in guys like Kristian Williams and Keyon Ware-Hudson and you have a strong interior.

On the outside, obviously you have first-team All-American candidate Kayvon Thibodeaux who has been dubbed the best player in college football heading into the season. He will make this line just as good, if not better, with another big season and Bradyn Swinson will be a very capable backup to the All-American.

The Ducks should have no problems in the trenches.

Schedule

Schedule