Emmanuel Pregnon, Iapani Laloulu and Isaiah World all earned top marks from Pro Football Focus, but they all excel as pass blockers more than in driving the running game.
The three didn't allow a sack in their pass snaps last season. Their first challenge this season is to gel as a unit, to develop that "five as one" consistency an offensive line needs to execute.
The 2024 offensive line struggled early, allowing three sacks against Idaho as the Ducks rushed for 107 yards, four sacks by Boise State with the No. 7 Ducks managing just 109 yards rushing.
It got better by Game 3 as Oregon rolled Oregon State in Corvallis, 49-14. The Quack Attack gashed the Beavs for 240 on the ground, no sacks.
With four new starters on the offensive line, achieving continuity and consistency is apt to be a process. The hope is that A'lique Terry, Cutter Leftwich and Grad Assistants Ryan Walk and Dallas Warmack can hone the unit on a tighter timetable this time around.
Because they're breaking in a new starting quarterback with a talented but unproven cast of receivers, the Ducks may need to lean on the running game and defense more in 2025.
The Oregon OL played their best game of the season last night. Consistent finish and good in pass protection. Love this effort by Cornelius to finish down field. 🥞 pic.twitter.com/BVOkMbjSpZ
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) October 5, 2024
That's a championship formula that's proven itself over time. Nick Saban won six national titles with it before the Tide flipped it in 2020, relying on Heisman Trophy winner at wide receiver DeVonta Smith and his spectacular output, 117 catches, 1,836 yards and 23 touchdowns.
It's a little early to expect that from freshman Dakorien Moore. With some holes to fill in the passing game, being able to trust the running game and defense is crucial in defending their Big Ten Championship.
2024 PFF Grades, Oregon offensive line
Pass | Run | |
|---|---|---|
Iapani Laloulu, C | 80.6 | 71.1 |
Isaiah World, LT | 82.3 | 75.6 |
Emmanuel Pregnon, LG | 73.3 | 64.1 |
Dave Iuli, RG | 53.4 | 52.7 |
Alex Harkey, RT | 76.8 | 79.8 |
The Ducks are blessed with good depth on the offensive line. Matthew Bedford returns from injury; he started at three different spots for Indiana, making him a vital utility player for the unit, one who knows everybody's assignment.
Tackle Gernorris Wilson is so athletic he caught a touchdown pass last season. He'll challenge for a starting spot and will figure heavily in the rotation. Newcomers like Douglas Utu and Ziyare Addison could be heard from early.
Last season the unit surrendered 21 sacks, up from five each in 2023 and 2022. They missed Bo Nix's improvisational skills and knack for checking out of a bad play.
Oregon averaged 158 yards a game and 4.4 yards a carry in their first year in the Big Ten, 6th in the conference in rushing offense, numbers that suffered a painful decline in the Rose Bowl where they netted -23 yards on 28 attempts, a miserable finish to a great year.
Noah knows truck sticks 👀
— Oregon on BTN (@OregononBTN) May 13, 2025
Who else would like to relive Noah Whittington's highlight @OregonFootball TD vs. Illinois? 😎#TouchdownTuesday x #B1GFootball pic.twitter.com/JiSAdti7tn
To be playoff worthy, this group has to show they can move people off the ball as well as pass protect, though offensive coordinator Will Stein excels at finding easy completions in the passing game, stretching the field horizontally with quick passes, dumpoffs and screens that are simple and effective.
He's renown for a quarterback-friendly attack, a good way to get Dante Moore in rhythm as a retread starter.