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Can Oregon Ducks Defense Neutralize Big Ten Leading Receiver Tai Felton? Elite NFL Prospect

The 9-0 Oregon Ducks defense has seen their fair share of dynamic threats this season. Next up is Maryland wide receiver Tai Felton, who not only leads the Big Ten in receptions and yards but also projects as a potential top-75 NFL Draft pick.

Kyron Samuels

Sep 21, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Tai Felton (10) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Villanova Wildcats during the third quarter at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
Sep 21, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Tai Felton (10) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Villanova Wildcats during the third quarter at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images / Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
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The initial College Football Playoff rankings were released on Tuesday, and to no surprise, the Oregon Ducks were No. 1 ranked. After a dominant showing on the road at The Big House against Michigan, the Ducks are flying high, and the forward momentum surrounding the program is palpable. This Saturday at 4 pm PST on the Big Ten Network, the 9-0 Ducks returns to Autzen Stadium to host the 4-4 Maryland Terrapins in another Big Ten Conference matchup. 

The Ducks enter as 25-point favorites, but much like last week against Michigan’s star tight end Colston Loveland, the Ducks have a serious task in front of them: trying to slow down future NFL Draft selection in Maryland wide receiver Tai Felton. Felton is a 6’2, 181-pound dynamic threat who has truly come into his own during the 2024 season. Maryland coach Mike Locksley has been touted for his prolific offensive production at places like Alabama, and Felton is the next in line of a long list of receivers to thrive in his system. 

“WR Tai Felton has been on an absolute tear this season…Some NFL scouts see him in the top-75 mix.” said The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler.

Felton leads the Big Ten conference in receptions (73) and receiving yards (907). Felton has also hauled in six touchdown receptions in the eight games Maryland has played so far. Felton’s numbers lead the Big Ten but are also amongst the very best nationally. Currently, Felton is second in the country in receptions per game, sixth in receiving yards, and sixth in receiving yards per game. 

Oregon’s defense has faired well this season against premier options in the sense that they bend but don’t break. Elite players at Ohio State, like wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State running back Ashton Jeanty, and Michigan tight end Colston Loveland, have all had productive games against the Ducks, but the defense has taken the remainder of the threats out of the game. 

Similar to the basketball philosophy that a player like Lebron James or Nikola Jokic are simply going to get their numbers because they’re that good, you make the other players beat you. It’s a dangerous game to play in football, but in this case, Oregon’s 17th-ranked passing defense and 11th-ranked overall defense will stick to their typical method of playing safe coverages and relying on their pass rush to get home. 

With defensive backs that are reliable in man coverage and as the Ducks are, it’s hard to fault Oregon’s staff for their creativity while not sacrificing numbers in the backend. Talented players like Tai Felton present massive challenges, but history tells us the Ducks will win the war, even if they lose the battle. 

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Kyron Samuels
KYRON SAMUELS

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