Depth chart confidential: Risers, surprises and sensations at Duck fall camp

On Monday Tosh Lupoi was talking about the cornerbacks, but the design applies to the rest of the defense as well.

"My plan and our plan is to have a have a healthy rotation going at that position and a reset competition every single week of who runs out there first."

Take edge rusher Ashton Porter for example. The four-star from Cypress, Texas plays behind Matayo Uiagalelei on the depth chart, but after two weeks of fall camp Lupoi said,
"If we played tonight, there's no doubt in my mind that Ashton would be uh you know, in the conversation of of one of the four best rushers on the team."

The Ducks have depth in waves on the defensive line. Uiagalelei, Bear Alexander, A'Mauri Washington and Teitum Tuioti (it's a multiple front with shifting responsibilities) are the likely starters but Aydin Breeland, Tionne Gray and Terrance Green can all play at a high level, while outside rushers Elijah Rushing, Tobi Hastruup and Nasir Wyatt have all made noise in camp.

From Green Valley High School in Cherry Creek, Colorado, four-star Blake Purchase redshirted last season after a promising debut in 2023. "Blake Purchase has grown a lot and I'm pumped to see where he is from a maturity standpoint," Lupoi said, describing him as another guy who's competing to start for the Ducks defensive front.

Offensively, Will Stein had high praise for Gary Bryant Jr., who battled injuries last year but caught 30 passes for 442 yards and four touchdowns in 2023. Tuesday after practice Stein said, “Gary Bryant is one of the most consistent football players I've ever been around. He's a complete pro. He does everything you ask him to do. He blocks his ass off. He runs routes at the specific depth. He catches the ball, makes plays good with the ball in hand,”

With Evan Stewart out indefinitely the Ducks need a deep threat opposite Dakorien Moore, someone to exploit the extra attention Moore is likely to draw from opposing defenses as one of college football's breakout stars.

That could be Malik Benson, the transfer from Florida State and Alabama with 10.4 speed in the 100. On Saturday receiver coach Ross Douglas told Max Torres of On3 and the rest of the pool, "He adds a speed element to our offense and he can do a lot of things. He can short to intermediate and deep routes. He’s an older guy. He’s actually played 787 snaps in his career between Florida State and Alabama. So a guy who’s played a lot of football."

"His journey’s kind of been a little rocky, ups and downs—Alabama, JUCO, Florida State, but now he’s here at Oregon. He’ll be a positive contributor to this team and I love working with him everyday.”

Another guy that shouldn't be overlooked is Kyler Kasper, the 6-6 junior from Chandler, Arizona. Kasper's had the healthiest camp since he's been at Oregon. With his size he poses a matchup problem and adds a dimension the Ducks haven't had since Dwayne Stanford.

On the offensive line, the starting group is set with Alex Harkey, Matthew Bedford, Iapani Laloulu, Emmanuel Pregnon and Isaiah World as the likely starters. Dave Iuli can play all three positions on the interior, providing versatility. Fox Crader and Gernorris Wilson are the first tackles off the bench. Freshman Douglas Utu has made rapid progress.

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