Oregon Football Notebook: Spring Practice Resumes

Diving into some of the biggest updates from Oregon's third spring practice.

Oregon returned to the practice fields on Tuesday and we got to speak with head coach Dan Lanning following practice. 

There were a lot of interesting updates and admittedly we can't get to all of them. But I took my best shot at compiling five updates that grabbed my attention.

A new name at quarterback

The Ducks added Washington University transfer quarterback Matt Rush to their updated spring roster on Tuesday. But he isn't just any other walk-on quarterback.

He threw for over 5,000 yards and 54 touchdowns against just 10 interceptions during the 2021 and 2022 seasons combined. The Ducks have very little depth behind Bo Nix. 

Even with Ty Thompson entering his third college season he hasn't looked ready and it's unlikely we'll see early enrollee Austin Novosad unless it's a dire situation.

"We knew that there was a possibility that he could be here for this term," Lanning said of Rush. "If there's somebody that can enhance it from a numbers standpoint--felt like we had room for another guy that can be out there to help us that's had some experience as a player. We want to be able to take advantage of it. Matt has that."

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Wide receiver depth

Oregon's wide receiver room may not be flooded with depth. After all they did lose Dont'e Thornton (Tennessee), Seven McGee (Jackson State), Chase Cota, Isaah Crocker and Isaiah Brevard from a year ago. 

With Traeshon Holden and Tez Johnson coming in from the portal the Ducks should have a solid first group that should feature Troy Franklin and maybe Kris Hutson if he can hold off a push from Johnson. It doesn't sound like Lanning is too concerned and everyone is waiting on the edge of their seat for Jurrion Dickey to arrive in the spring.

"I don't think that's as big of a piece," Lanning said after Tuesday's practice. "There were times when we were operating with less last year. It's more bout quality than it is necessarily quantity. We have good ones there and we have more coming in as well this summer. It'll be different once we get to season."

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Building out depth on defense

Lanning was asked about where the depth and talent was most different on defense.

"I think we probably have a lot more quality defensive line and quality DBs that can play," he said. "I'll be honest from top to bottom I think there's more that can play. The more players you can play the better you're gonna be on defense."

Oregon went very heavy on defensive line and defensive back recruiting last year and for good reason. The defensive line has been good not great. If they want to get to the level of the Georgias, Alabamas and Ohio States of the world they need multiple DUDES along the defensive line. 

Adding Jordan Burch, My'Keil Gardner and Matayo Uiagalalei gives them more options and I think players like that have a higher floor than those we've seen recruited to Oregon by previous staffs.

As for defensive backs, the Ducks got shredded through the air all season. Tysheem Johnson and Evan Williams should be involved right away at safety, which gives the defense flexibility to try new things like Jamal Hill at linebacker. 

Trikweze Bridges and Dontae Manning return as the main names at cornerback, but even they both got picked on at times. Khyree Jackson coming over from Alabama and the arrivals of Cole Martin and Solomon Davis should ensure that no one gets complacent in that room. I also think Jahlil Florence should give that room a boost after flashing as a true freshman.

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Will Stein putting his stamp on the team

It might sound odd to say after just one year of Kenny Dillingham, but Will Stein has some big expectations to live up to in Eugene. Dillingham breathed new life back into Oregon's passing offense and showed us a version of Bo Nix that few have seen since his freshman year at Auburn. 

Stein has been billed as an innovative, up-and-coming coach and it's on him to install a system that is above all else effective, but also entertaining after we saw the deep ball make a return last year. He'll have to do that while working with a new-look offensive line which is getting coached up by another young coach in A'lique Terry.

"He's coaching them hard. Setting his expectation," Lanning said of his new offensive coordinator. "I think he coaches with energy and juice, which is great to see cause when you coach like that your players generally play like that."

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The bar has been set for Bo

Nix enters 2023 with very high expectations after resetting the narrative around his play. He became one of the best quarterbacks in the conference and the country last year and now he's tasked with staying on that course.

He's the face of the team and he'll play a major role in helping Stein install his offense and getting the offensive line to gel. Beyond that he'll also be a glue guy that will help Lanning's culture spread throughout the team.

"I had a long talk convo with Bo yesterday," Lanning said. "There's a big difference in where he is this year compared to where he was last year. It was kind of earning the respect versus he's earned the respect. Now it is, that leadership role is expected for Bo. Expect him to step up. He has those traits. He's been that guy."

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