The fullback position is largely extinct in the modern era of football, at all levels. Once one of, if not the most important positions on the football field, the offenses spread out, got lighter, and the necessity for these selfless bruisers depleted.
Moreso than any other team in the nation, Oregon is associated with the innovation and modernization of offensive football, especially the spread and modern-option concepts.
Even with the spread offenses we see now, the Ducks have always been run-dependent, and in the Will Stein offense, they are more than willing to get into 12 or 13 personnel (one running back, two/three tight ends).
Under the last two head coaches, the Ducks have been on a nice run of tight ends. Jacob Breeland was a 400-yard pass catcher in 2019, Spencer Webb was a budding star before his untimely passing, Terrance Ferguson turned into one of the best in the nation, Patrick Herbert was a reliable run blocker, and Kenyon Sadiq is set to be the best tight end in America this season. Even Juwan Johnson from the 2019 Rose Bowl winning Ducks has carved out a nice career as a tight end in the NFL, though a receiver in his college days.
Oregon has recruited and developed the tight end position well under Dan Lanning, including the under-discussed Louisville transfer Jamari Johnson, who looks to be the second tight end on the depth chart this season. He is 6'5" 265 pounds and is agile for his frame.
So, with all of these talented tight ends in the Ducks' recent history, and a promising bunch currently on the roster, who could be their secret weapon in 2025?
Zach Grace is a redshirt sophomore fullback from the state of Missouri. Though technically listed as a tight end on the team site, Duck fans know what he is. A bruising, old school, selfless fullback who was put in for Oregons goalline sets in 2024.
Though he played just 41 offensive snaps, he had a 74.0 pass blocking grade from PFF, and could have a more important role in 2025.
The fullback position, though mostly dead, has seen a renaissance of sorts in some corners of the game. Of course, it is still one of the most important positions in the triple option offenses of the service academies, but the NFL has some big names and high-usage guys playing fullback. Kyle Juszczyk of the 49ers has a very important role in Kyle Shanahan's offense, as does Alec Ingold in Mike McDaniel's Dolphins offense. They are involved in all areas of their respective offenses. Though Grace may not have the complete skillset of those two, he could still see more involvement, even with the promise of Kenyon Sadiq.
In a one-on-one interview with 247Sports' Jared Skopil, Oregon star TE Kenyon Sadiq spoke very highly of Zach Grace.
"He plays the (fullback) position very well... Last year we had a couple short yardage plays installed and he went in there and killed it... He just likes contact, he really doesn't care if he's being thrown to, Zach's going to give 100% effort no matter what he does."
That sums up Grace, and the fullback position very well. As Oregon breaks in a new, young quarterback, getting into heavier sets more often could be beneficial, especially in the early portion of the season. The redzone can be especially difficult for young quarterbacks, even Dillon Gabriel, the most experienced player in college football history struggled there for stretches last season. Implementing Sadiq, Johnson, and Grace could be a big plus for the offense.