Five 'under the radar' Ducks that could assert themselves at the Spring Game

Dan Lanning has stacked talent. Oregon is no longer a school with a handful of frontline players with exceptional ability. It's become a juggernaut where competition sharpens the quality of play at every position, and every rep features skill against skill.

At the Spring Game on April 26, 1:00 p.m. PDT at Autzen Stadium and televised on the Big Ten Network, Duck fans will get a great show in the sunshine and an opportunity to witness first-hand what those position battles have produced.

One of the most interesting aspects of that is getting a chance to see the athletes that have been waiting in the wings, patiently working on the practice field and in the weight room for their opportunity to show the potential they had as recruits and the effort they've put in to develop it.

While it's unfair to describe them as "forgotten," Duck fans have enjoyed watching so many starters and stars that it's easy for talented athletes down the depth chart to fade from consciousness. It's time to get to know these names:

1. A'Mauri Washington

Defensive tackle Amauri Washington was a four-star recruit in the class of 2023, now a 6-3, 320 trench monster who had 10 tackles and 14 pressures last season while playing behind Derrick Harmon and Jamaree Caldwell.

Originally from Detroit, Michigan, he moved to Chandler High School in Scottsdale Arizona to further his football career, the No. 17 DT in the country as a senior.

Washington flashed last season. In fall camp last year line coach Tony Tuioti singled him out. Only Harmon's star turn that catapulted him into the early rounds of the NFL draft held Washington back as emerging force on the defensive line. He has the strength and quickness to be disruptive.

""A’Mauri Washington's development, just in terms of his fundamental technique understanding the defense. He's a very powerful and physical young man." "

Tony Tuioti

2,3. Elijah Rushing and Blake Purchase

These two names are grouped together because havoc on the defensive line and a relentless pass rush are essential if the Ducks want an improved defense and a deeper playoff run in 2025. Great defenses come at you in waves.

A four-star recruit in the class of 2024 from SalPointe High School in Tucson, Arizona, Rushing was the No. 6 weakside defensive end and No. 93 recruit in the 2024 class, a five-star in the 247Sports Composite and an Adidas All-American.

After redshirting last season to gain weight and strength, he's ready for a bigger role in the defense, something the Ducks need after sending Jordan Burch to the NFL.

Purchase redshirted last season after playing 184 snaps as a true freshman in 2023. He recorded a sack against Washington State that season and 10 total pressures.

He earned Colorado State Gatorade Player of the Year honors at Cherry Creek High School, the No. 20 edge rusher in the class of 2023, now 6-3, 260. As a freshman he flashed the ability to be active and disruptive.

Depth on the defensive line is critical facing both tempo offenses and a long season. Purchase has shown the ability to step in and play with urgency and fire.

4. Dink Riggs

Da'Juan "Dink" Riggs, a 6-0, 209 running back from Washington D.C., got just 11 carries last season for 82 yards and a touchdown, but that brief role as an understudy included a 16-yard run against Illinois and a 24-yard run against Washington.

Other players rave about his combination of size, speed and power. At the NFL combine Jordan Burch was asked what young players on the Oregon roster stood out to him.

""Last year freshman? I'll say our running back, Dink. He's pretty good. He was just elusive. When you threw him in there with the starters, you couldn't even tell he was a freshman. So I think once he [moves up the depth chart] this year here, he'll be pretty good.""

Jordan Burch

5. Jurrion Dickey

There's a huge hole in the receiver rotation after the graduation of Tez Johnson and Traeshon Holden. Will Stein has to find 128 receptions and 1600 yards merely to break even in terms of production, more if he wants a more potent offense.

While there's a wealth of possibilities, what matters is getting it done on game day. Justius Lowe looked good in spot duty last year, filling in capably when Holden got suspended and Johnson got injured. He caught 21 passes for 203 yards and a touchdown.

Malik Benson transferred in from Florida State, where he caught 25 passes for 311 yards and a TD, a sprinter with 10.4 speed.

Dakorien Moore's arrival has been met with outsized anticipation, the No. 1 receiver prospect in the country for 2025, another 10.4 sprinter with spidery athleticism and elusiveness.

While those are intriguing possibilities, new receiver coach Ross Douglas has to take a long look at Dickey, a plus-athlete with good size for the position rated the No. 7 wide receiver coming out of East Menlo Park High School in Palo Alto in 2023. He's now a redshirt sophomore, and this is his make-or-break year.

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