Dan Lanning and Oregon Coaches Searching for Quality in Spring

One of Dan Lanning's biggest priorities will be getting a feel for his roster. It features more than 30 new players.

Head coach Dan Lanning seemed optimistic but not quite content following Oregon’s third spring football practice on Tuesday.

Lanning acknowledged the influx of talent Oregon acquired through the transfer portal and high school ranks and early return on what their additions have meant should have Oregon fans excited.

“I think we probably have a lot more quality defensive line and quality DBs,” Lanning said after practice. “From top to bottom I think there are more that can play. The more quality depth you have that can play, the more players you can play, the better you're going to be on defense."

Lanning specifically touched on the secondary, a group that has some sizable holes to fill following the departure of cornerback Christian Gonzalez, a projected first-round pick in this month's NFL Draft. The secondary welcomed safety Tysheem Johnson this week and he'll work to get his feet under him in Chris Hampton's room.

“He’s a playmaker,” Lanning said of the Ole Miss transfer. “He’s a guy that has positional flexibility that we can use at multiple positions. (He) Plays with great effort, a physical tackler. Has blitz ability. I think all of those things were really appealing.”

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Looking at the offense, specifically receiver, Lanning noted that while the Ducks may not look like a deep group on the surface, they do have high-end talent in house for spring practice and expect more talent to bolster the ranks in the near future.

“I don’t think that’s as big of a piece," he said of the depth situation at wide receiver.“It's more about quality than it is necessarily quantity. We have good ones there and we have more coming in as well this summer.”

First year offensive coordinator Will Stein will not only inherit Heisman Trophy contender Bo Nix and his favorite target Troy Franklin, but also five-star wideout Jurrion Dickey, who will debut for the Ducks in 2023 along with Alabama transfer Traeshon Holden.

With 11 more practices until the spring game the Ducks have a little over three weeks to get ready to play in front of a crowd. Until then, Lanning and his staff will continue to evaluate players.

“Right now spring ball is not about scheme, " Lanning said of his approach. “It’s about playing ball, playing fast, figuring out who can play.”

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