Grading the Oregon post spring portal football roster: Overview

This will be the quick, condensed version with positions and grades, rating the Ducks against championship expectations with a minimum of hooptedoodle.

For many years, the definitive Oregon depth chart has been compiled by Chile Duck, whose archives and attention to detail are legendary.

Quarterbacks

1. Dante Moore

2. Austin Novosad

3. Luke Moga

4. Akili Smith Jr.

5. Brock Thomas

Position Group Grade: B-

Terrific potential in this group. Needs summer work and a great fall camp to achieve consistency.

Running Backs

Running back

1. Makhi Hughes

2. Noah Whittington

3. Jay Harris

4. Dink Riggs

5. Jayden Limar

Position Group Grade: A-

Lots of talent in this room, the ability to run hard with explosiveness, with improvement evident in fall camp. Would trust anyone of them.

Receivers:

1. Evan Stewart

2. Dakorien Moore

2A. Kenyon Sadiq*

3. Gary Bryant Jr.

4. Justius Lowe

5. Jurrion Dickey

6. Jeremiah McClellan

7. Dillon Gresham

8. Kyler Kasper

9. Cooper Perry

10. Malik Benson

Position Group Grade: B

Yes, Autzen Zoo is aware Kenyon Sadiq is a tight end. In the spring game Will Stein flexed him a lot, and the contention here is in order to use him to full effectiveness, Oregon has to think of Sadiq as a tight end AND wide receiver.

Sadiq should be never be less than the third option in the passing game, often the first option, and seldom come off the field. He's a dynamic talent and matchup nightmare. Let him cook.

This group can become one of the best in the country, the heart of an incredibly explosive offense, but for that to happen, Evan Stewart and Dakorien Moore have to live up to the hype. They can.

The separation between 3-10 is fluid and fluctuating. Benson performed poorly in the spring game. Gresham shined. Roles have to be won in fall camp. Summer work is crucial.

Offensive line

RT Alex Harkey

Gernorris Wilson

RG Dave Iuli

Matthew Bedford

C Iapani Laloulu

Charlie Pickard

LG Emmanuel Pregnon

Kawika Rogers

LT Isaiah World

Fox Crader

Position Group Grade: B-

This group has to gel, but it could be another Joe Moore finalist for the Ducks. Bedford's return to health adds to the depth; he's played four spots on the line in his career. Wilson and Harkey will conduct the fiercest position battle. Early enrollees Ziyare Addison and Douglas Utu will make strong bids to crash the rotation.

Tight ends

Kenyon Sadiq Jr.

Jamari Johnson R-So.

Roger Saleapaga So.

Vander Ploog Fr.

A.J. Pugliano R-Fr.

Position group grade: A-/C-

Behind Sadiq, this group is a lot of question marks. Four-star prospects, but question marks. Sadiq could be one of the best tight ends in the country.

Johnson and Saleapaga are coming off injuries. Ploog is a true freshman. North Medford product Pugliano played in only six games as a prep senior and did not take a snap as a freshman.

Defensive Line:

DE Matayo Uiagalelei

Eijah Rushing

Xadavien Sims

DT A'Mauri Washington

Tionne Gray

Terrance Green

NT Bear Alexander

Aydin Breland

Jericho Johnson

Position Group Grade: B+

Another of the strongest groups on the team with tremendous depth. The $20 million question is whether Bear Alexander achieves his potential as a former four-star nose tackle. He hasn't in two stops.

Uiagalelie led the Big Ten in sacks during the regular season and has a real chance of blossoming into a first-round draft pick.

Linebacker

In the Mint Defense Oregon plays, linebacker roles and responsibilities are shifting constantly.

Edge

Teitum Tuioti

Blake Purchase

Ashton Porter

ILB

Devon Jackson

Brayden Platt

Kamar Mothudi

ILB

Bryce Boettcher

Jerry Mixon

Dylan Williams

Gavin Nix

Position Group Grade: C+

There is great potential here also but it hinges on some good athletes stepping into much larger roles. Love Tuioti and Purchase as edge rushers.

The quartet of Platt, Williams, Mothudi and Mixon has to show it can make plays and not get caught in the wash. Devon Jackson has to translate his impressive speed (Nebraska state 100 meter champion) into more tackles and TFLs. Can Nix hang as a true freshman?

In the Big Ten Championship and the Rose Bowl loss to Ohio State, the Oregon defense gave up 292 and 181 yards rushing. That's a lot of plays out of position from this group. They have to be better.

Boettcher has the green dot now. Gets to concentrate completely on football. Much work to do.

Secondary

Nickel

Jadon Canady

Na'eem Offord

Daylen Austin

Cornerback

Ify Obidegwu

Theran Johnson

Na'eem Offord

Dakoda Fields

Safety

Kingston Lopa

Peyton Woodyard

Trey McNutt

Safety

Dillon Thieneman

Aaron Flowers

Cornerback

Jahlil Florence

Sione Laulea

Brandon Finney

Position Group Grade: B

Oregon's secondary is longer and more athletic than it's been in a long while. The remaining question is how quickly it gels and learns to communicate effectively with a mix of topflight transfers and young talent.

Offord, Obidegwu and McNutt showed how dynamic they could be in coverage, winning one-on-one battles in the spring game. Flowers had seven tackles and an interception.

Austin's status is not completely known with a pending court case, but he's also a talented player.

Thieneman's value as a leader and coach-on-the-field is exceptional.

Special teams

Placekicker

Atticus Sappington

Gage Hurych

Andrew Boyle

Punter

James Ferguson-Reynolds

Ross James

Gage Hurych

Returners

To Be Determined

Position Group Grade: A-

The addition of Ferguson-Reynolds was a bold move toward excellence. Sappington has been reliable and Huyrch has intriguing power, blasting field goals of 47 and 54 yards in the spring game down the middle.

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