Preseason Camp Preview: Offensive Line

Assessing where things stand for the Oregon football team entering the start of preseason camp Aug. 2.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Who's back: Who isn't? The Ducks return all five starters from last season's Redbox Bowl win, including maybe the most talented guy in this group, sophomore Penei Sewell at left tackle. Oregon boasts the most veteran offensive line in the nation in terms of returning starts, led by center Jake Hanson, left guard Shane Lemieux and Swiss-army knife Calvin Throckmorton, who are all in line to be full-time starters for the fourth year in a row. Right tackle Brady Aiello also can earn a starting nod for the fourth straight season by cracking the lineup; it's generally assumed he will compete this August with right guard Dallas Warmack for a spot in the lineup, with Throckmorton playing guard or tackle depending on the outcome.

Whichever one doesn't start will be available in the rotation, providing enviable depth along with the likes of George Moore and Steven Jones. Moore is to be lauded for keeping his head down and grinding with the Ducks since transferring into the program, even though it hasn't resulted in a ton of playing time due to the veterans in front of him. Alex Forsyth is a guy UO head coach Mario Cristobal trusts implicitly and can play all across the line, even though he too hasn't seen a ton of game action yet in his career. Practice depth is further provided by Sam Poutasi, who is working back from a December knee injury, along with non-scholarship guys Charlie Landgraf, Ryan Walk and Devin Lewis.

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A year after Sewell won a starting job and Jones earned a spot in the rotation, their classmates will look to win some playing time in this preseason camp. Dawson Jaramillo proved to be the most versatile of last year's freshmen, playing all over the line including center as a redshirt. Chris Randazzo is a mammoth body with explosive power, and Justin Johnson has a really high long-term ceiling that he'll look to progress toward after missing most of last season with a shoulder injury.

Who's new: After bringing in a big class last fall, the Ducks only signed a couple of linemen in the class of 2019. But they're among the most physically impressive guys on the roster already. Junior college transfer Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu arrived for spring drills and spent the summer "trimming down" to a still imposing 313 pounds on his 6-foot-6 frame. He was joined over the summer by freshman Jonah Tauanu'u, who follows in Sewell's footsteps as a guy with the potential to play right away at tackle. It's a tough rotation to crack, but these guys have the tools to do so with a good showing in August.

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ROB'S TAKE

Projected depth chart
LT: Penei Sewell, So.; George Moore, Sr.; Chris Randazzo, RFr.; Jonah Tauanu'u, Fr.
LG: Shane Lemieux, Sr.; Alex Forsyth, So.; Justin Johnson, RFr.; Sam Poutasi, Jr.
C: Jake Hanson, Sr.; Dawson Jaramillo, RFr.; Ryan Walk, So.
RG: Dallas Warmack, Sr.; Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, Jr.; Charlie Landgraf, Sr.; Devin Lewis, RFr.
RT: Calvin Throckmorton, Sr.; Brady Aiello, Sr.; Steven Jones, So.; Cole Young, Fr.

What to watch: Throckmorton is said to be back at 100 percent after his Redbox Bowl injury, so confirmation of that will be the first order of business Friday. So too will be where Warmack and Aiello are slotted in the lineup. After that the question is, which of the younger guys makes a strong push? Is Jaramillo asserting himself as heir apparent to Hanson? Is Aumavae-Laulu ready to help right away, or will he need a year to adjust? Can Tauanu'u really repeat Sewell's feat and contend for a rotation spot as a true freshman? And how quickly will Johnson prove himself ready to begin working his way up the depth chart?