Position Battles: Who will win the job?

FOOTBALL

8/20/20242 min read

The football season is getting closer and closer and Oregon is still trying to figure out its depth chart. Some things are a no brainer, but others are still to be determined. Here are the most notable position battles to keep an eye on.

Backup QB

It's pretty obvious Oregon brought Dillon Gabriel in to be the starter. But who is going to back him up? Dante Moore is the most likely option but Austin Novosad has been very impressive so far. Those two are going to battle for the #2 spot. Either way, these are arguably the best backup QBs Oregon has ever had.

Prediction: Dante Moore

Starting Nickel

Last season Tysheem Johnson did most of the nickel work but this season it's going to be someone different with Johnson moving to deep safety. Nikko Reed played a little bit last season, Oregon brought in Duke transfer Brandon Johnson, and Daylen Austin has been very good in camp. Those three are the main competition to land the starting gig.

Prediction: Brandon Johnson

Backup Defensive Tackle(s)

Oregon brought in Jamaree Caldwell and Derrick Harmon through the portal and both of them will likely see significant playing time. But who else is there? Keyon Ware Hudson is a senior who has already played good snaps. Amauri Washington and Mykeil Gardner have been awesome in camp so far. Oregon also brought in one of the best DL classes this cycle and It would not be surprising to see some of them get meaningful minutes.

Prediction: Ware-Hudson/Washington/Gardner

Wide Receiver 4

Tez Johnson, Evan Stewart, and Traeshon Holden are the likely starters but who will emerge as the fourth option? Gary Bryant has tons of experience so you can't go wrong with him. Kyler Kasper has elite size and has been great in camp. Justice Lowe is known as one of the best route runners on the team. Jurrion Dickey is looking the best he ever has.

Prediction: Gary Bryant Jr

Cornerback

Jabbar Muhammad is almost certainly CB 1 on this team. Jahlil Florence and Kam Alexander are battling for CB 2 and 3. Alexander probably has the edge with Jahlil still recovering from an injury. CB 4 is a battle between Senior Dontae Manning, JUCO transfer Sione Laulea, and sophmore Rodrick Pleasant.

Prediction: CB 2 Kam Alexander, CB 3 Jahlil Florence, CB 4 Sione Laulea

Backup Safety

Tysheem Johnson and Kobe Savage are likely going to be the starting safeties. It's going to be hard to keep true freshman Aaron Flowers and Peyton Woodyard off the field. Redshirt freshman Tyler Turner is also an option. Another true freshman, Kingston Lopa, has elite size for the position and could sneak his way in early.

Prediction: Aaron Flowers