Oregon made a big splash earlier this month, nabbing themselves a Top 5 recruiting class loaded with 5-star talent. But this is modern College Football, and that’s only half the equation.
After losing a fair amount of players to transfer, many to Tosh Lupoi down at Cal, the Ducks had some gaps to fill. And speaking of gaps, they were hoping for a big filler in Offensive Tackle Jordan Seaton, who finally ended up deciding on LSU.
Seaton would have been a great cherry on top, but without him, the Ducks
still plugged in needed spots fairly well.
Even without Seaton, Oregon should be good along the offensive line, and the addition of Yale transfer Michael Bennet. Wideout Iverson hooks from UAB helps fill the void left by Malik Benson, and Tight End Markus Dixon may not be the athlete Kenyon Sadiq was (but really, who is?) However, he’ll be a great blocking addition.
Then, of course, The Ducks made sure their quarterback room would be set for the future with Dylan Raiola coming in from Nebraska to sit behind Dante Moore for a season before taking the reins himself, much like Moore did in 2024, and would have Akili Smith Jr learning behind him.
Continuity at its best.
Defensively Oregon basically plugged in a similar level talent to replace Dillon Theniman by grabbing Koi Perich from Minnesota. Corner Aaron Scott Jr from Ohio State fits right in with Oregon’s incredibly talented young secondary, and Bleu Dantzler hopping over from Corvallis gives the Ducks in all likelihood the most loaded Edge room in the nation, as he’ll join Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti.
So, in the words of Brad Pitt as Achilles: “IS THERE NO ONE ELSE??”
The only loss that one would think might have been a bigger priority to fill is the departure of Bryce Boettcher in the linebacker corps.
While Oregon has a great amount of recruited talent in that area, they are sorely lacking in experience. And linebacker play was one of the primary weaknesses Indiana attacked in the Ducks’ only two losses this year.
What’s actually available in that area, may be less than tantalizing.
