Oregon football offensive depth chart prediction midway through spring football

USA Today

14-04-2025

Oregon football offensive depth chart prediction midway through spring football
The spring football season is going by quickly for Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks, with eight sessions already behind us, and the annual Spring Game just a couple of weekends away.
In a new year with many new faces, there have been endless storylines during this spring season in Eugene, from the quarterback battle to the search for elite weapons around him. On the defensive side of the ball, some veteran experience returns. At the same time, high-level transfers also come to Oregon with an expectation of vaulting their stock and preparing for the NFL.
Oregon's roster will look wildly different in 2025 than it did a year ago, with new faces at nearly every position. Most notably, former Duck stars like Dillon Gabriel, Jordan James, Terrance Ferguson, Tez Johnson, Josh Conerly, Jordan Burch, and Jeffrey Bassa are all off to the NFL, so Lanning and the Ducks have some big shoes to fill.
While nothing will be set in stone this spring, we will get a good chance to see where Oregon's roster currently stands and who has set them up to contribute significantly come fall.
How do we see things after a couple of weeks of practice? That's an important question. With so many open spots on the starting lineup, the depth chart looks a bit muddled as we wait to see who can separate themselves this offseason. For now, though, there's no harm in trying to project where things are at.
Here's our first look at what the offensive depth chart will look like for the Ducks this spring:
Quarterback
Starter: Dante Moore
Dante Moore Backup: Austin Novosad
Austin Novosad Other Names to Know: Luke Moga/Akili Smith Jr.
Change From Pre-Spring Prediction: None
Analysis: While we havent' seen any spring practices thus far, the buzz is still around Dante Moore to be the QB1 this year. As one of the leading candidates for the Heisman Trophy in 2025, there are high expectations in his first year as the starter at Oregon, and we should get a good look at what he can do this spring.
Running Back
Starter: Makhi Hughes
Makhi Hughes Backup: Noah Whittington
Noah Whittington Other Names to Know: Jayden Limar/Da'Jaun Riggs
Change From Pre-Spring Prediction: None
Analysis: There was no change in the depth chart from before spring ball started, but if I had to put a percentage on things, I would up my confidence in Makhi Hughes as the starter. It sounds like he is having a great spring season and standing out in the room. Behind Hughes and Whittington at RB1 and RB2, I'm curious to see what we get from Jayden Limar and Da'Jaun Riggs. Riggs showed some real explosiveness in limited work as a freshman and could be poised for a breakout this spring.
Wide Receiver (X)
Starter: Evan Stewart
Evan Stewart Backup: Kyler Kasper
Kyler Kasper Other Names to Know: Jurrion Dickey/Jeremiah McClellan
Change From Pre-Spring Prediction: None
Analysis: Evan Stewart projects to be the Ducks' WR1 going into the year, taking over for Tez Johnson. I think Kyler Kasper will get some nice run here as well, especially considering that he appears to be fully healthy once again. I wouldn't at all be surprised to see guys like Jeremiah McClellan and Jurrion Dickey step into more prominent roles as well.
Wide Receiver (Z)
Starter: Jeremiah McClellan
Jeremiah McClellan Backup: Malik Benson
Malik Benson Other Names to Know: Justius Lowe/Jurrion Dickey
Change From Pre-Spring Prediction: Flipped McClellan and Benson
Analysis: Our first major change — I am putting Jeremiah McClellan into the starting role over Malik Benson. While it isn't based on anything I've personally seen, I have been hearing some really good things about the redshirt freshman and think he could play a big role in the offense this year.
Wide Receiver (Slot)
Starter: Dakorien Moore
Dakorien Moore Backup: Gary Bryant Jr.
Gary Bryant Jr. Other Names to Know: Justius Lowe
Change From Pre-Spring Prediction: None
Analysis: Again, no change in the depth chart order, but a strengthened resolve in the belief that true freshman Dakorien Moore will be the starter. We've heard enough, and seen clips of videos from the university, at this point, to feel confident in his ability to be a game-changer from the start.
Tight End
Starter: Kenyon Sadiq
Kenyon Sadiq Backup: Jamari Johnson
Jamari Johnson Other Names to Know: A.J. Pugliano (or transfer to be named)
Change From Pre-Spring Prediction: Removed Roger Saleapaga
Analysis: The top of this depth chart remains intact, but I have removed Roger Saleapaga from the "names to know" section, as it appears that he will likely not be fully healthy by the time the season rolls around. Because of this, I think Oregon likely finds another transfer portal addition in the TE room to add to the depth chart.
Left Tackle
Starter: Isaiah World
Isaiah World Backup: Kawika Rogers
Kawika Rogers Other Names to Know: Fox Crader/Ziyarre Addison
Change From Pre-Spring Prediction: Flipped Rogers and Crader
Analysis: I think that Isaiah World will undoubtedly be the starter at LT, but I'm uncertain what things will look like behind him. Kawika Rogers has the most experience, but redshirt freshman Fox Crader and true freshman Ziyarre Addison bring a lot of talent to the table. For now, I flipped Rogers and Crader, but this could all change in the future.
Left Guard
Starter: Emmanuel Pregnon
Emmanuel Pregnon Backup: Dave Iuli
Dave Iuli Other Names to Know: Iapani Laloulu
Change From Pre-Spring Prediction: Moved Dave Iuli to backup.
Analysis: Much like the LT spot, Emmanuel Pregnon should be the starter at LG, but behind him things are muddled. With Dave Iul moving down in the RG depth chart — more on that soon — I moved him up on the LG hierarchy. I also think that starting center Iapani Laloulu could slot in here as well if needed.
Center
Starter: Iapani Laloulu
Iapani Laloulu Backup: Charlie Pickard
Charlie Pickard Other Names to Know: Bryce Boulton
Change From Pre-Spring Prediction: None
Analysis: apani Laloulu took over as the starting center as a true sophomore in 2024, so there is no reason to believe that he won't once again be the guy in 2025. Behind him, we will likely see Charlie Pickard, who acted as the starting center when Laloulu moved around to guard in the wake of an injury early in 2024.
Right Guard
Starter: Matthew Bedford
Matthew Bedford Backup: Dave Iuli
Dave Iuli Other Names to Know: Lipe Moala
Change From Pre-Spring Prediction: Flipped Bedford and Iuli at the top
Analysis: The biggest reason for not having Bedford as the starter before spring ball started was questions about his health after missing the 2024 season. He appears to be 100%, though, and ready for the season, which was enough for me to move him up into the starting spot, ahead of Iuli.
Right Tackle
Starter: Alex Harkey
Alex Harkey Backup: Gernorris Wilson
Gernorris Wilson Other Names to Know: Kawika Rogers/Trent Ferguson
Change From Pre-Spring Prediction: Flipped Harkey and Wilson
Analysis: I think this will be a tough competition for the starting RT spot between Wilson and Harkey, but after hearing OL coach A'lique Terry talk about Harkey over the weekend, it was enough for me to flip my prediction. I have a feeling I might switch this back and forth a couple more times before the season starts, though.
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