Predicting Oregon Footballs Defensive Two-Deep Depth Chart as Week 1 Nears

I posted my offensive two-deep yesterday (find it here), so now it's time for the defensive two-deep. Like the offense, the defense is younger than last year but also the most talented it has ever been. Oregon does not release official depth charts, so we probably will not know the starters until gameday. With that said, here are my defensive projections:

Defensive End:

Starter: Matayo Uiagalelei, JR

Backup: Ashton Porter, RS SO

Reasoning: Matayo starting is a given, and he will likely be a high draft pick after this season. Tosh Lupoi has also spoken very highly of Porter, and it looks like he will have a role on the defense this year, even if it is as a reserve defensive end.

Defensive Tackle:

Starter: Bear Alexander, RS JR

Backup: Terrance Green, RS SO OR Aydin Breland, RS FR

Reasoning: Outside of cornerback, this is the hardest position to project. Bear Alexander has the most experience and the coaches have been raving about him, but Terrance Greene and Aydin Breland are also very talented and will almost certainly see playing time this season. I'll stick with Bear as the starter, but I could see any of the three starting.

Nose Tackle:

Starter: A'Mauri Washingtion, JR

Backup: Tionne Gray, RS FR

Reasoning: Washington has been getting a lot of preseason hype and could end up as a first round pick if he has a strong season. Gray is also very talented and will definitely have a role on the defense this year. Jericho Johnson is another name to watch, but he is dealing with a minor injury and Gray is already ahead of him.

Jack Linebacker:

Starter: Teitum Tuioti, JR

Backup: Blake Purchase, RS SO, OR Elijah Rushing, RS FR

Reasoning: Tuioti is nearly a lock to start after being very good for Oregon the past two years. Blake Purchase made the tough but smart choice to redshirt last season, and in his first game back he had an outstanding spring game. He will definitely have a role this year, and I think Rushing will also see some snaps.

MAC Linebacker:

Starter: Bryce Boettcher, RS SR

Backup: Brayden Platt, RS FR OR Dylan Williams, RS FR

Reasoning: Boettcher will be the starter, and if he puts together a good season, he could end up having a better career in football than baseball. For the backup spot, Platt and Williams appear to be ahead of Kamar Mothudi right now. Barring an injury, though, I do not expect any of the backups to see much playing time.

Money Linebacker:

Starter: Devon Jackson, RS JR

Backup: Jerry Mixon, JR

Reasoning: Devon Jackson is the starter when healthy, but Mixon is not far behind. Jackson missed the spring game with an injury, but if he is ready he should start in week one. Jerry Mixon is also poised to see much more playing time this season as the third linebacker.

Strong-side Linebacker:

Starter: Blake Purchase, RS SO

Backup: Elijah Rushing, RS FR, OR Nasir Wyatt, FR

Reasoning: Purchase looks like he will get the starting nod here. He is Oregon’s best speed rusher and should be heavily utilized this season. Rushing will also see the field, and Nasir Wyatt should get snaps in specific situations. His speed and pass-rushing skills are very impressive.

Boundary Cornerback:

Starter: Ify Obidegwu, RS FR

Backup: Na'eem Offord, FR, OR Theran Johnson, RS SR

Reasoning: I was first on the Ify Obidegwu hype train, hearing back in February that he might be the best corner on the team. He will start. Na’eem Offord will be tough to keep off the field, and Theran Johnson is no slouch either. This room is deep, but outside of Ify the corner room is hard to project.

Field Cornerback:

Starter: Jahlil Florence, RS JR, OR Sione Laulea, RS JR

Backup: Brandon Finney, FR

Reasoning: In my opinion, this is the hardest position to project on Oregon’s entire team. Florence and Laulea are the most likely starters, but Finney already has college-ready size and has been phenomenal in practice I'm told. I could also see Theran Johnson starting here, but only time will tell.

Star/Nickel Cornerback:

Starter: Daylen Austin, RS SO

Backup: Jadon Canady, RS SR

Reasoning: Austin looks like the most likely starter for week one at this spot. He’s been in the system longer and is more physically talented than Canady. In my opinion, if Canady starts, it would suggest this position is somewhat weak. Dillon Thieneman is also practicing a little bit here, and Offord makes sense as well, but for now, I have Austin getting the nod.

Boundary Safety:

Starter: Dillon Thieneman, JR

Backup: Peyton Woodyard, SO

Reasoning: Thieneman is a lock to start for Oregon this season and could be a high draft pick if he declares afterward. The safety room is young but very talented. I think Woodyard could contribute this season, but as of now, he I think he would be the fourth option.

Field Safety:

Starter: Kingston Lopa, RS FR OR Aaron Flowers, RS FR

Backup: Peyton Woodyard, SO

Reasoning: In my last depth chart, I had Lopa as the starter, but I’ve since learned Flowers has just as good a chance to start. Both are high-quality players, so whoever starts should be a strong contributor for Oregon. I haven’t heard as much about Woodyard, which is why I have him listed below them.