Flock Talk: Silent Running

Photo by: Rob Moseley/GoDucks.com

 

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Oregon Ducks 2025 Fall Camp Review

As Oregon wraps up the fall camp portion of the season and shifts into game-week preparations on Sunday, the Ducks enter 2025 with perhaps their deepest roster under Dan Lanning. Across three weeks, two scrimmages, and countless reps, this team emerged sharper, more versatile, and more competitive than at any point in his tenure.

From a settled quarterback room to reshuffled position battles, Lanning and his staff leave camp with fewer unanswered questions — but plenty of key storylines to watch as the season begins.

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Quarterback: Moore Takes Command

I think it has been apparent for weeks, but fall camp confirmed it for everyone I’ve spoken with: Dante Moore will start against Montana State. The arm talent has always been undeniable, but over the last two weeks, Moore’s intangibles, command, and presence have taken another step forward.

“Every single one of those kids comes in and works their tail off,” offensive coordinator Will Stein said. “It’s a really healthy room. They’re their biggest fans, but they’re also competing.”

Moore’s growth has transformed the offense’s rhythm and identity, but Austin Novosad deserves his own spotlight — he will be one of the nation’s best backup quarterbacks and gives Oregon stability if needed.

Key questions heading into the season:

• How different does this offense look this season compared to Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel? Duck fans have been spoiled some and this will be a defining component of the early season.
• Along that line, Will Moore take what the defense gives him, utilizing the more efficient 4–6-yard plays, or will we see more of the downfield risks we heard about earlier in camp?

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Running Backs: Depth and Speed

For the first time under Lanning, Oregon has three running backs that can make plays, and possibly four.

• Noah Whittington: This kid is well respected in the locker room as a leader and tone-setter
• Makhi Hughes: We know what he brings: he is a physical between-the-tackles runner. But the Oregon offense is different and it has taken him a little bit of time to really get the offense down and play without thinking. I think he will be fine in the long run, but there have been some mixed reports. Of course, that could just be that Whittington has been really good so far.
• Da’Jaun Riggs: Reliable, powerful, and earning trust quickly. He is going to get plenty of touches this season.
• Dierre Hill: Adds a burst no one else in the room has and is a home run threat. Not sure how much he gets to see the field, but he is someone to watch.

The early expectation: Hughes, Whittington, and Riggs split the bulk of carries — but Hill’s speed makes him a candidate to carve out specialized packages.

Key questions heading into the season:

• Does Hill’s speed force its way into real-game usage?
• How does the rotation stabilize by the time Oregon reaches Penn State?

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Wide Receivers: Sorting the Rotation

Oregon’s passing attack begins with Dakorien Moore, the five-star freshman who’s been as advertised since spring. Gary Bryant Jr. remains the steadiest veteran, but after those two, the battle for the WR3 role remains tight:

• Malik Benson brings a vertical dimension the Ducks lack elsewhere but needs to improve consistency catching the ball.
• Jeremiah McClellan has quietly been pushing Bryant for reps and could carve out an expanded role by conference play.
• Kyler Kasper, Justius Lowe, and Dillon Gresham remain in the competition, with Lowe flashing during camp but fighting for consistency.

Key questions heading into the season:

• Who wins the battle as the number three receiver?
• Can Benson put it all together in his final season of college football?
• Can J-Mac rise to WR2 by the Penn State matchup?

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Tight Ends: The Matchup Weapon

This might be Oregon’s deepest and most versatile tight end room in at least a decade – maybe ever.

• Kenyon Sadiq is the known commodity and is a matchup nightmare. Expect Stein to move him around formations to create mismatches against linebackers and safeties.
• Jamari Johnson has transformed his body since arriving and became one of the breakout stars of camp, showing the ability to win vertically.
• Roger Saleapaga is fully healthy and trusted as an inline blocker, completing the three-deep rotation.

Stein has designs on 12 personnel looks, and even some 13 personnel packages, creating new ways to stress defenses.

Key questions heading into the season:

• How often does Stein lean into heavy sets?
• Can Oregon exploit defenses with its tight end depth?

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Offensive Line: Finding Chemistry

The starting five appears set — with one caveat:

Projected Starting OL:
LT: Isaiah World | LG: Emmanuel Pregnon | C: Iapani Laloulu | RG: Matthew Bedford | RT: Alex Harkey

Dave Iuli pushed Bedford hard during camp and may still rotate at right guard early – but he is also the backup center now, so I think he is the first one off the bench for Oregon. Gernorris Wilson continues cross-training at tackle, and Oregon’s freshman class — Douglas Utu, Ziyare Addison, Zach Stascausky, and Demetri Manning — has the staff excited for future depth.

This group has a chance to be a real strength of the team and seems to be in a better spot than last year’s group at the same point in time.

Key questions heading into the season:

• How fast can this unit develop the chemistry needed to compete at a Big Ten championship level?
• How will A’lique Terry approach early season rotations for the offensive line?

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Defensive Line: Reloaded and Rotational

Oregon’s defensive line is both deeper and more versatile than last year, but replacing three NFL draft picks won’t be simple.

EDGE Rotation:

• Matayo Uiagalelei
• Teitum Tuioti
• Ashton Porter
• Blake Purchase

Behind them, Elijah Rushing continues developing and “arguably played the best in the last scrimmage.” Nasir Wyatt has added size and flashed disruptive potential.

Interior Rotation:

• A’Mauri Washington is set to anchor the group and looks poised for a breakout year.
• Bear Alexander, Tionne Gray, and Terrance Green will split reps alongside him.
• Aydin Breland is a wild card — the staff wants him on the field because of his athletic upside.

“A’mauri’s fundamentals and technique have really improved, but his conditioning is critical,” Lupoi said. “Replacing that production requires constant competition and weekly resets.”

Key questions heading into the season:

• What does Oregon’s third-down pass-rush package look like?
• How much does the young talent push for more reps over experienced players?
• How quickly does Aydin Breland’s raw talent translate to production?

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Linebackers: Leadership and New Faces

Bryce Boettcher remains the alpha in the room, while Jerry Mixon surged through camp and is positioned to start alongside him in Week 1.

Devon Jackson continues to work back from injury and could factor heavily on passing downs later this season. Behind them, Kamar Mothudi and Brayden Platt hold an edge over younger players, while the staff remains high on Gavin Nix for the future.

“They come to work with a tough, hard-working mentality,” Lupoi said of Boettcher and Jackson. “Their leadership shows through their actions more than their words.”

Key questions heading into the season:

• How ready is Mixon for full-time Big Ten snaps?
• Can reserves like Nix, Mothudi, and Platt consistently meet the standard as key rotational pieces?

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Defensive Backs: Flexibility Creates Depth

This is the deepest secondary Oregon has fielded under Lanning.

Projected Starters:

• CB1: Ify Obidegwu
• CB2: TBD between Jahlil Florence, Theran Johnson, Brandon Finney, and Na’eem Offord
• S1: Dillon Thieneman
• S2: Aaron Flowers (if Lopa isn’t fully healthy)
• STAR: Jadon Canady leads a tight battle with Daylen Austin and Finney

Freshmen Impact: Finney and Offord are too talented to redshirt and have already rotated with the ones in camp. Peyton Woodyard has also flashed versatility, giving Oregon flexibility to mix packages.

“We’ve got quality players and hungry players,” Lupoi said. “Somebody’s going to run out there first, but our plan is to have a healthy rotation and reset the competition every week.”

Key questions heading into the season:

• Who locks down the second cornerback spot job opposite Ify and will they be passed up by one of the freshmen?
• How do reps split at STAR between Canady, Austin, and Finney?
• When does Lopa return to full health?

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Red Zone & Third-Down Emphasis

Camp ended with a clear defensive priority: red-zone execution.

“Our goals are clear: stop the run at a higher standard and improve red-zone efficiency,” Lupoi said. “In scrimmage one, we did an elite job forcing turnovers and field goals, but last week the offense scored too many touchdowns.”

This mirrors a broader theme: Oregon’s defense has the bodies to rotate endlessly, but execution in critical situations will define how quickly the unit reaches its ceiling.

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Key Takeaways Entering Game Week Prep

• QB1 Settled: Dante Moore leads the offense; Novosad is one of the best backups nationally
• Offensive Balance: Expect multiple backs, three tight ends at times, and heavy 12 personnel usage
• WR Sorting: Moore and Gary Bryant Jr lead; WR3 still unsettled among Benson, McClellan, Kasper, and Lowe
• Trenches Defined: OL solidifying but still gelling; DL rotation looks dynamic and disruptive
• Defensive Versatility: Deepest secondary in years; endless options at EDGE and STAR
• Situational Focus: Red-zone defense and third-down efficiency remain top priorities

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