2020 Defense Will Have Senior Presence

EUGENE, Ore. — From the back of the third-floor media room in the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex on Monday came a percussive clapping sound.

Media in attendance were on hand to hear four draft-eligible juniors from the 2019 Oregon football team announce that they all intended to remain in school for their senior seasons. As first Thomas Graham Jr. announced his decision, followed by Deommodore Lenoir, then Jordon Scott and finally Austin Faoliu, UO head coach Mario Cristobal let loose with a few claps.

"Don't mind me," Cristobal said with a smile.

Oregon's coach couldn't contain himself with the news from four key members of a defense that helped the Ducks reach the Rose Bowl. Graham and Lenoir were 14-game starters at cornerback for Oregon in 2019, and Scott and Faoliu combined for 21 starts on the defensive line as the Ducks improved from No. 42 in the FBS in yards per play allowed in 2018 (5.25) to No. 11 under new coordinator Andy Avalos in 2019 (4.73).

"We decided to all do this together because we all came in together, we made a change together, and we felt this decision needs to be made together, as one," Graham said as all four players sat together on the dais in the HDC media room.

Graham Lenoir

The quartet's decision to return followed by a year those of quarterback Justin Herbert and linebacker Troy Dye to return as seniors in 2019. They were named Oregon's offensive and defensive player of the year, respectively, in helping the Ducks win the Pac-12 Conference and defeat Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl.

"They're both really good players," said Faoliu, who led Oregon's down linemen with 39 tackles in 2019. "Seeing them come back, in my mind there's no doubt that's one of the reasons I came back."

Graham said returning would allow him to become the first person in his family to earn a college diploma. Scott has finished his degree requirements already, also becoming the first in his family to do so.

With an undergraduate degree already in hand, Scott might have had the toughest decision of the four.

But, he said, "once I found out my brothers was coming back, I thought it would be right thing to go one more time."

Scott and Faoliu each said improving as pass rushers would be an individual goal as seniors in 2020. Graham wants to "show everybody I'm as fast as I am," while Lenoir, who excels in press coverage as a boundary corner, wants to prove that he can play off receivers as well.

But while all four will look to improve their draft stock as seniors, they're also coming back to "cherish these moments" one more year as Ducks, as Faoliu said.

"I knew that if I were to leave early, I would never get these moments back with my brothers," he said. "I love all of them dearly. Coming back and playing with them one more time is the best for me."

Graham Lenoir Scott Faoliu

Eight of the four returning seniors' new teammates are on campus as the first members of the 2020 recruiting class to enroll.

Cristobal said that offensive lineman T.J. Bass, quarterback Jay Butterfield, offensive lineman Jonathan Denis, defensive back JJ Greenfield, linebacker Noah Sewell, defensive lineman Jake Shipley, defensive lineman Bradyn Swinson and defensive back Bennett Williams all enrolled at Oregon for the winter quarter that began this month.

"All these guys will be taking part in the offseason program and spring ball, which is awesome," Cristobal said. "It's hard to match that kind of an opportunity."

Cristobal that a "handful more" from the class of 2020 plan to enroll for the spring quarter.

Receiver Jaylon Redd, who missed the Rose Bowl due to a personal matter, is with the team for the winter quarter as well.
Redd "has resumed classes and workouts with us," Cristobal said Monday.

In 12 games last season, Redd caught 50 passes for 465 yards and seven touchdowns. His absence due to injury issues in the second half of the opener against Auburn and for the entirety of the Ducks' game at Arizona State was felt acutely.

Cristobal said that he will be able to announce Oregon's new offensive coordinator "hopefully within the week."

The Ducks are looking to replace Marcus Arroyo, who left after three years on staff to become head coach at Nevada-Las Vegas. Arroyo also was quarterbacks coach the past three seasons.

"The candidates are all outstanding," Cristobal said. "They all bring something to the table that makes us better. And in our opinion it has to hit on all cylinders — not only a guy who's a great Xs and Os guy, not just a guy that can recruit really well. It has to be a great person. It has to fit the culture, has to be bought-in completely."