Despite a stellar end to the season, Oregon was far from flawless in 2023 and the starting lineup could use some tweaking.
Dropping both games to Washington and eking by opponents like USC and Texas Tech, show that not every single Duck is aligned on the roster.
Here are three Oregon football players who I think need to take a seat on the bench in the upcoming 2024 season.
Jahlil Florence – Defensive Back
Oregon’s two losses in 2023 came at the hands of Michael Penix Jr. and his receiving core. The Washington quarterback was able to throw for a combined 621 yards and 6 passing touchdowns against the Ducks.
Part of the issue for Oregon’s defense in these games was their secondary not being able to keep up with the UW receivers. Defensive back Jahlil Florence.
As a cornerback, Florence’s entire job is to disrupt the pass and prevent successful drives in the air. However, he was only attributed with 1 pass break-up in the 2023 season. He had 27 tackles in his 11 game appearances and 1 interception for 0 yards.
If the Ducks’ defense can’t stop the passing game, they will struggle wholeheartedly against powerhouse opponents like Ohio State and Michigan in the Big Ten.
Florence will be entering his junior year in 2024 but if freshman or sophomore DBs show more promise, head coach Dan Lanning will need to capitalize on the depth he has at the position.
Shutting down receivers will allow the defense to get off the field and allow Oregon’s dominant offensive game to run up the score.