Latest news with #Thieneman
USA Today
29-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Two Oregon Ducks defenders earn spots on Lott Trophy watch list ahead of 2025 season
Two Oregon Ducks defenders earn spots on Lott Trophy watch list ahead of 2025 season After the offensive years of Chip Kelly and Mark Helfrich, the Oregon Ducks have taken on a defensive identity over the past couple of seasons with Dan Lanning at the helm, and it has shown itself by way of defensive talent on the roster. Four of the six Ducks who were selected in the 2025 NFL draft were on the defensive side of the ball, and the number should only go up in the coming years, judging how well Oregon is recruiting on both the defensive line and in the secondary as of late. In 2025, the Ducks could have one of the best defenses in the Big Ten, led by a pair of studs who will likely be among the best in the nation at their position, and potentially first-round draft picks. Those two players are EDGE Matayo Uiagalelei and safety Dillon Thieneman, both of whom landed on the Lott Trophy watch list on Wednesday. The Lott IMPACT Trophy is a college football award given annually to a defensive player who demonstrates both outstanding performance on the field and exemplary character off the field. As a sophomore, Uiagaelei had a breakout season for the Ducks, leading the Big Ten with 10.5 sacks. This was the 10th-highest single-season sack total in Oregon history. Uiagalelei earned All-Big Ten honors, being named to the first team by the media and second team by the coaches. Meanwhile, Thieneman comes to Oregon as a transfer from Purdue after establishing himself as one of the best safeties in the nation during his first two years with the Boilermakers. In two seasons, Thieneman has racked up 210 tackles and six interceptions. He is widely regarded as one of the best defensive backs in the nation and has been garnering buzz as a potential first-round pick next season. Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
USA Today
29-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report: Dillon Thieneman, SAF, Oregon
Summer is here, and it is everyone's favorite time of the year, scouting time. Every year, we do Summer Scouting to preview college football for Bucs fans, but also give them an idea of names to follow and watch in the fall as needs pop up for Tampa Bay. Are we going to write about quarterbacks? You know it, but why? Because other NFL teams will draft them, just as they will draft every other position. It all matters whether these players end up on the Bucs, the Bears, or the Steelers. We write these so Bucs fans can be the most informed fans. So if you are still with us, enjoy our latest Summer Scouting report as we prepare you for the Fall. Player Information Player: Dillon Thieneman School: Oregon Height/Weight: 6-0/207 Player Background - 3-Star recruit - Transferred from Purdue to Oregon - Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2023 - Second Team All-Big Ten in 2023 - Third Team All-American in 2023 Career Stats Heading into the 2025 Season - 210 Tackles - 7 Tackles for Loss - 1 Sack - 6 Interceptions - 9 Pass Breakups Notable PFF Numbers Heading into the 2025 Season - 77.9 PFF Run Grade - 78.6 PFF Coverage Grade - 13% Missed Tackle Rate - 29 Defensive Stops Player Traits - Good open field tackling ability - Great coverage skills - Fluid hips and quick feet to change direction - Excellent awareness Player Summary Thieneman is transferring to Oregon to be a part of Dan Lanning's defense, which is certainly poised to create problems in 2025. Thieneman is a throwback type of safety that we don't see very often anymore, where he is just as comfortable running downhill to stop the run as he is dropping back in coverage. He thrives making tackles in the open field, which makes him great in run support. His movement skills allow him to be in sync with his brain when he is diagnosing plays, so he is constantly in a position to make plays or redirect the offense. It really is a joy to watch Thieneman play the safety position, but playing at Oregon could make him even better at it.
USA Today
22-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
A pair of Ducks appear in the PFF Top 50 NFL prospects for 2026
A pair of Ducks appear in the PFF Top 50 NFL prospects for 2026 There was a total of 10 Oregon Ducks taken in the 2025 NFL draft, which was a program record. While Oregon might not have as many taken in the next draft, the Ducks could have more selected in the earlier rounds in 2026. But in Top 50 NFL prospects, just two Oregon Ducks, safety Dillon Thieneman and center Iapani Laloulu appear on the list. Those two definitely deserve the recognition as they are some of the best in the nation at their respective positions, but other Ducks are predicted to go in the first or second round in most mock drafts that weren't mentioned for some reason. Players such as offensive lineman Isaiah World, defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei, wide receiver Evan Stewart, and tight end Kenyon Sadiq are largely thought of as first-round material. According to the analytical site, Thieneman's range in the back end of a defense is second to none. "Thieneman's sophomore season at Purdue wasn't nearly as good as his freshman year," they said. He posted just a 72.4 PFF grade after earning an 89.5 grade in 2023. Much of that can be attributed to the Boilermakers lining him up at free safety far less, a role he excels at with his elite speed and ball skills. "His 89.4 PFF grade since 2023 is still fourth among returning FBS safeties, and he has 80.0-plus grades in coverage and run defense in that span. Thieneman's arguably the best centerfielder in college football and is one of the best athletes in the nation as well. Dan Lanning should have a lot of fun incorporating his range into his defense." As for Laloulu, or as his teammates call him, "Poncho," the big center's versatility and showing how good he is in a limited number of snaps is what makes him unique. "Laloulu flashed across 413 snaps as a true freshman in 2023, leading all Power Four guards with a 0.9% pressure rate allowed," PFF said in their analysis. "He shuffled all over the Ducks' interior that year, playing at least 100 snaps at center, left guard and right guard. He became Oregon's starting center as a sophomore and was one of only six Power Four players at the position who earned top-20 grades as both a pass blocker and a run blocker. Laloulu still hasn't surrendered a sack across 720 career pass-blocking snaps." Thankfully they'll all have an entire season to show what they can do and plead their case. Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
USA Today
16-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
PFF names Oregon Ducks' Dillon Thieneman among safeties to watch in 2026 NFL draft
PFF names Oregon Ducks' Dillon Thieneman among safeties to watch in 2026 NFL draft There is currently a lull in the college football action which means media members and experts can properly assess the landscape of the league. While everyone awaits the scrimmage games before the 2025 regular season starts, there will be an abundance of rankings in multiple categories like teams, coaches, offenses, defenses, stadiums, and even positions. Pro Football Focus College ranked the top 10 safeties to know for the 2026 NFL draft and the Oregon Ducks made an appearance. Their transfer, Dillon Thieneman, has been one of the best players at his position for a couple years running and is ready to take the next step. In two seasons at the collegiate level Thieneman has 210 total tackles, eight passes defensed, six interceptions, and two forced fumbles. The former Purdue Boilermaker has shown tremendous ball hawking abilities even though all six of his interceptions came in his freshman year. There is already massive buzz around his name and one final dominant season at Oregon could propel him towards the top of next year's draft. Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
USA Today
01-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
6 potential 1st-round CB, S prospects for the Dolphins to consider in 2026 NFL draft
6 potential 1st-round CB, S prospects for the Dolphins to consider in 2026 NFL draft The Miami Dolphins spent the 2024 offseason signing cheap veterans to fill their defensive line vacancies with Calais Campbell, Teair Tart, Neville Gallimore, Benito Jones, and Jonathan Harris all battling for a place on the roster. A year later, they looked to the 2025 NFL draft for long-term solutions at those spots. History may be repeating itself in the Dolphins secondary. After parting with Kendall Fuller, Jevón Holland, and Jordan Poyer earlier in the offseason, the Dolphins will likely trade Jalen Ramsey soon, leaving the team with a completely different looking secondary next season. At safety, Miami bridged the gap by adding Ifeatu Melifonwu and Ashtyn Davis on one-year deals. At cornerback, the Dolphins are likely to sign a cheap, experienced veteran or two to serve as a stopgap. So it stands to reason that the secondary will be a priority for the Dolphins in the 2026 NFL draft. If Miami ends up in the market for a corner and/or safety next year, here are six college football stars who could be the team's first-round pick: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State Downs played a huge role in the Buckeyes' national championship run last season as both a ballhawking safety and an effective blitzer. During his unanimous All-American sophomore season, Downs recorded two interceptions and 7.5 tackles for loss. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee The 6'0, 193-pound defensive back was among the best cover corners in college football last season, earning an 87.0 grade from PFF and an 89.6 in coverage. If his game takes another step forward in 2025, he could be the top corner of the draft class. He's already emerged as a logical candidate for the Dolphins next year. A.J. Harris, CB, Penn State There's no shortage of NFL athleticism for Harris, who stands 6'1 and has track speed. The former five-star recruit has only one interception in two years, but could be due for a breakout with the Nittany Lions and he has the profile of a player who won't last long on draft boards. DJ McKinney, CB, Colorado Travis Hunter wasn't the only DB who made plays in the Buffaloes defense. The Oklahoma State transfer arrived in Colorado last year and was tested often opposite the Heisman winner, but held opposing quarterbacks to a 60.5 quarterback rating (NFL formula), per PFF. The 6'2 corner has steadily improved and will be the star of the Colorado defense in 2025. Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson The younger brother of former first-round pick A.J. Terrell, Avieon is a hard-nosed player who earned PFF's third highest run defense grade of any cornerback last season. He was also credited with 10 pass breakups. Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon In his freshman year with Purdue, Thieneman earned Third-Team All-American honors -- joining the aforementioned Downs as one of two freshman on the list in 2023. While his game took a step back in 2024, Thieneman is now set to join the Ducks secondary and could quickly reemerge as one of college football's most impactful defensive backs.
