Projecting Oregon's Offensive Depth Chart in Final Week of Fall Camp

The Ducks have a loaded offense, but the hierarchy might be a little bit murky at some spots.

The Oregon Ducks are in their final week of fall camp before turning the page to game prep for the Portland State Vikings next week.

This feels like a great time to take a stab at what the depth chart will look like for Will Stein's offense when the season kicks off on September 2 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene.

Quarterbacks

Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix throws a pass against the Oregon State Beavers in 2022 :: Scott Boldt/Ducks Digest

Starter: Bo Nix

Backup: Ty Thompson

Depth: Austin Novosad

Analysis: No question marks here. Nix returns as "the guy" in 2023 and should be in the mix for the Heisman trophy if he can replicate what he did with Kenny Dillingham. Thompson looks like he's still the team's primary backup, but Will Stein praised the growth that he's seen from the true freshman Novosad since he enrolled early in January.

Running Backs

Oregon Ducks running back Bucky Irving uses a stiff arm against the Washington Huskies :: Scott Boldt/Ducks Digest

1a: Bucky Irving

1b: Noah Whittington

Backup: Jordan James

Depth: Dante Dowdell, Jayden Limar

Analysis: The ground attack looks like it will still run primarily through Bucky Irving and Noah Whittington. The more snaps these guys play it really looks like there's little to no drop off regardless of who has the ball. Irving is a more creative and elusive runner, but Whittington should pack more of a punch after getting his weight up to 208 pounds. 

The unknown right now is just how much we'll see of Jordan James, who was the team's primary third down and short yardage back a season ago. It looks like he's on track to take a bigger role this year, so maybe we see him become 1c in this backfield.

Wide Receivers

Oregon Ducks wide receiver Troy Franklin hauls in a deep pass during a game against the BYU Cougars :: Scott Boldt/Ducks Digest

Starters: Troy Franklin, Traeshon Holden, Tez Johnson

Backups: Gary Bryant Jr., Kyler Kasper, Kris Hutson, Jurrion Dickey

Depth: Justius Lowe, Ashton Cozart, Josh Delgado

Anaylsis: Troy Franklin is the face of this group yet again and for good reason. He was the team's leading receiver in 2022 and he also led the Ducks in receiving touchdowns.  

What will be interesting to see is how Junior Adams and the rest of the offensive staff gets the other wide receivers the ball, as this could be the deepest receiver room we've ever seen in Eugene. I expect a heavy dose of the transfers this year, but keep an eye out for a statement year from Kris Hutson. I also think Dickey and Kasper could carve out larger roles for themselves with the dominance they had in their high school careers.

Tight End

Oregon Ducks tight end Terrance Ferguson catches a touchdown against the UCLA Bruins :: Scott Boldt/Ducks Digest

Starters: Terrance Ferguson, Patrick Herbert

Backups: Casey Kelly, Kenyon Sadiq

Depth: Kaden Ludwick

Analysis: Ferguson is back from his spring injury and looks good to go. The Ducks know what they have with him and they're hoping Herbert can assert himself as more of a receiving threat in 2023. 

Behind those two are a lot of question marks. Sadiq has a lot of promise but is still getting his body right and adjusting to the speed of the game. Kelly was primarily a blocker in Oxford and Ludwick spent most of his time in Boulder at linebacker. 

Offensive Line

Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson hugs running back Noah Whittington after a touchdown against the Washington huskies :: Scott Boldt/Ducks Digest

Starters (From left to right): Josh Conerly Jr., Junior Angilau, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Steven Jones, Ajani Cornelius

Backups: Nishad Strother, Marcus Harper II, Faaope Lauloulu, Dave Iuli

Depth: George Silva, Iapani Laloulu, Charlie Pickard

Analysis: This group probably has the most fluidity on this side of the ball. I feel the most confident about Conerly and Cornelius starting at the tackle spots and Powers-Johnson at center.

Aside from that trio, the interior spots probably remain up for grabs among the other transfers Strother and Angilau, with Harper fighting for a spot at guard or the backup center.

READ MORE: Projecting Oregon's defensive depth chart in final week of fall camp