Season In Review: Linebacker
01/10/18 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley
Troy Dye was again named UO defensive MVP despite a position switch, setting the tone for a group where a number of steady contributors thrived in new spots.
Reviewing Oregon's 2017 season and looking ahead to spring drills
DEPTH CHART
ILB: Troy Dye, So.; Sampson Niu, Fr.
ILB: Jimmie Swain, Sr.; Kaulana Apelu, Jr.; Blake Rugraff, So.; Isaac Slade-Matautia, Fr.; A.J. Hotchkins, Sr.
OLB: Justin Hollins, Jr.; Gus Cumberlander, So.; Keith Simms, So.
OLB: Jonah Moi, Sr.; Bryson Young, So.
Duck: La'Mar Winston Jr., So.; Fotu T. Leiato II, Jr.; Pou Peleti-Gore, Jr.
Starters: The Ducks' defensive MVP for the second time in two seasons was linebacker Troy Dye, despite moving to a new position as a sophomore in 2017. Dye was a force off the edge in 2016, but new coordinator Jim Leavitt liked his potential at inside linebacker. That proved prescient, as Dye led the Ducks with 107 tackles this past season, with four sacks among his 13.5 tackles for loss. Dye is a vocal leader and a dogged worker who brings it in practice every day, leadership qualities that made him a figurehead on defense while just a sophomore. The other regular presence was Justin Hollins, who tied for fourth on the team with 59 tackles despite a position switch of his own; a force at defensive end after Oregon's move to a 4-3 front in 2016, Hollins moved back to outside linebacker as a junior and contributed 11.5 tackles for loss while tying for the team lead with three forced fumbles.
The other inside linebacker spot was a revolving door, until being solidified at midseason by Jimmie Swain. A.J. Hotchkins, Kaulana Apelu and Blake Rugraff all got shots to start but had their seasons derailed by injuries; Swain started the final six games of the regular season and the Las Vegas Bowl, and finished second behind Dye with 65 tackles. The other outside linebacker position in Leavitt's 3-4 front was used to help the defense substitute situationally. When the Ducks wanted to go big, the bookend to Hollins was Jonah Moi – or even, against Stanford in a spot appearance at linebacker, defensive end Jalen Jelks. Moi also played with Hollins on a four-man nickel front with Jelks and Henry Mondeaux. When Leavitt wanted a smaller, quicker front, he used the "Duck" outside linebacker position headlined by La'Mar Winston Jr. Winston took the job so well, he earned increasing reps in the base defense late in the season. He's one of the most energetic, upbeat personalities on the team, a guy who truly enjoys taking the field for practice every day.
Reserves: All the injuries made for perilous depth most of the season. Sampson Niu was pulled out of a redshirt at midseason, and had a gutty performance in the second half of the Las Vegas Bowl when Dye was out due to dehydration. Masking an injury for several snaps because he knew how thin the position was, Niu still got on in a couple of tackles before ultimately being pulled from the game by medical staff. Sophomores Gus Cumberlander and Bryson Young had a hard time breaking through behind the vets on the outside, and spent practices with the scout team, where Young was named defensive scout of the year. Fotu T. Leiato II started the opener at "Duck" before Winston staked a claim to the job; a converted safety, Leiato made his UO debut at inside linebacker in the second half of the bowl game once Niu was pulled.
Redshirts: Isaac Slade-Matautia came perilously close to also having his redshirt pulled late in the season, but ultimately preserved the year of eligibility. He and Niu flashed playmaking ability in practices, the kind of natural instincts for the ball that are hard to teach. Injuries also sapped the depth on the outside, with both Keith Simms and Pou Peleti-Gore sitting out the year while rehabbing leg issues.
SPRING PROJECTION
ILB: Troy Dye, Jr.; Sampson Niu, So.
ILB: Kaulana Apelu, Sr.; Blake Rugraff, Jr.; Isaac Slade-Matautia, RFr.
OLB: Justin Hollins, Sr.; Gus Cumberlander, Jr.; Bryson Young, Jr.; Keith Simms, RSo.
OLB: La'Mar Winston Jr., Jr.; Fotu T. Leiato II, Sr.; Pou Peleti-Gore, Sr.
What to watch: Dye is entrenched as one of the Pac-12's best linebackers, and Hollins is a proven commodity entering his senior season. If Winston takes another step, he should be a reliable every down player, and there's good depth at the outside spots. The big question come spring could be the other inside spot. Will Apelu or Rugraff be healthy and ready to step back into a first-string role? Or will the second-year guys Niu and Slade-Matautia having something to say about that?
