Takeaways From First Spring Practice

EUGENE, Ore. – The second spring under head coach Mario Cristobal commenced with the first of 15 allotted practices on Saturday inside the Moshofsky Center.

The difference in discipline, energy and structure of the second spring under Cristobal was evident over the two-hour practice in helmets and shorts. To the head coach, though, the difference from last spring to this year has been clear since the start of the "Fourth Quarter" program following the team's Redbox Bowl victory over Michigan State.

"Our guys treated the 'Fourth Quarter' program as if it was a privilege to be here and the treated this first practice as if it is a privilege to be a member of this football team. That's the way it's got to be," Cristobal opened with during his meeting with the media after practice.

"It sure felt different out there. From a speed, closing on the ball, creating separation and being able to maintain balance and body control. All of those things help you practice fast and that's a product of the developmental cycle particularly the fourth quarter program."

Originally scheduled to be the second practice of the spring, Saturday's session became the opener after Cristobal pushed back the start to give the defense a couple extra days to get in tune with new defensive coordinator Andy Avalos, who was officially announced just eight days ago.

PRACTICE HIGHLIGHTS
The wide receiver group had a nice start to the day behind deep ball connections from Tyler Shough to Isaah Crocker and Justin Herbert to Brenden Schooler … Both catches were down the sideline and the receivers did a nice job adjusting to the throw … Sophomore Jevon Holland picked up where he left off in the fall with an interception in the first session of 7-on-7 work ... Holland led Oregon with five interceptions as a true freshman and had already established the reputation as a ball hawk after fall camp … In the first go-around of team work, the offense was able to make some play down the field in the middle of the field and on the sideline … Tight end Spencer Webb made a nice one-handed grab going from right to left and on the very next rep Cam McCormick made a nice sliding catch on a ball that was thrown underneath the coverage … Demetri Burch had a strong showing in the slot, using his strength to get open for a big gain and showed off some crisp route-running for another long completion over the middle … Redshirt freshman Bryan Addison's length and athleticism seemed to pop throughout the day but probably never more than on a back shoulder grab in which he high-pointed the ball to close the period of team work … The later part of 7-on-7 and team work favored the defense … A coverage sack followed by two straight incompletions provoked the defensive sideline to erupt … The offense struck the last big blow of the practice though, as redshirt freshman wide out JJ Tucker hauled in a deep ball in double coverage on one of the final plays that resulted in loud cheers heard outside the building by the media waiting to talk to Cristobal.

THE DEPTH AT OFFENSIVE LINE IS CRAZY
Even with the versatile All-American Calvin Throckmorton not participating at the start of spring, the offensive line's first group onto the field Saturday featured a combined 114 starts. From left to right, the Ducks ran out Penei Sewell, Shane Lemieux, Jake Hanson, Dallas Warmack and Brady Aiello. Add in Throckmorton and Steven Jones, who worked primarily with the second team at tackle, the combined start total elevates to a staggering 153, which will more than likely lead the country.

"You sometimes spend an entire career trying to get to this moment where you have a group of a guys that have played so many snaps that they know what each other is thinking," Cristobal said before using Hanson and Lemieux in an example on how well his offensive line knows each other.

How well does the Oregon offensive line with 153 combined starts know each other? @Coach_Cristobal explains using … food. Take it away, Coach. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/HKIQJ65H0R
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) March 10, 2019

NEW NUMBERS AND NEWCOMERS
Oregon's six early enrollees donned their jersey for the first time in their career on Saturday, while six veteran players made the move to different numbers. Out of the six veterans making a number switch, only Daewood Davis' came with a position switch as the sophomore made the move from wide receiver to cornerback.

Player	Pos.	New #	Old #
Deommodore Lenoir	CB	6	15
DJ Johnson	OLB	7	44
CJ Verdell	RB	7	34
Jaylon Redd	WR	13	30
Kahlef Hailassie	CB	15	37
Daewood Davis	CB	17	81

Ready to make an impact. Jersey numbers for our early enrollees on defense. #GoDucks

5?? » @kayvonT8
2??2?? » @Gemon_J_Wilson
5??4?? » @DruMathis22 pic.twitter.com/ewCOU7AEUa
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) March 9, 2019

Jersey numbers for our early enrollee ballers on offense. #GoDucks

1??7?? » @millen_10
7??1?? » @SalaDaBeast
8??3?? » @JDe1gado pic.twitter.com/YO8GRN7rlG
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) March 9, 2019

NOTABLES
Moving the start of practice to Saturday allowed Oregon to get 20 hours of countable activity with its student-athletes this week rather than the normal offseason eight-hour week … The Ducks utilized the extra time to have a few meetings and a walkthrough on Friday that helped elevate Saturday's practice … McCormick wasn't the only Duck returning from a long injury, as running back Darrian Felix displayed some good burst after missing a majority of the 2019 season … Lombardi Award winner Ugochukwu Amadi was in attendance … Amadi along with eight other former Ducks will participate in Pro Day on campus on Thursday, March 14.