Football Practice Report: Dec. 27

Venue: Trinity University
Format: Helmets and spider pads

Since the Pac-12 title game, there's been much focus on who is no longer available for the Oregon defense, and understandably so.

The list of players who won't be in action for Wednesday's Alamo Bowl includes valuable 2021 contributors Kayvon Thibodeaux, Mykael Wright, Keyon Ware-Hudson, DJ James and Jayson Jones, among others. But the Ducks themselves have stayed focused not on those absences, but the players who will in fact take the field against Oklahoma in the bowl game.

As UO defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter pointed out Monday, the Ducks went to Ohio State and upset the Buckeyes without both Thibodeaux and Justin Flowe. They've become accustomed to shuffling personnel and moving ahead.

"It's kind of been the theme of our whole year," DeRuyter said. "But it really speaks to the resolve our players have had. We've had a next-man-up mentality the whole year."

Tim DeRuyter Alamo Bowl Press Conference

Tim DeRuyter Alamo Bowl Press Conference

For the Alamo Bowl, that means reserves such as cornerbacks Dontae Manning and Trikweze Bridges stepping into more prominent roles. DJ Johnson has been turning his attention from primarily offense the last few weeks, as a tight end, to the defense the past two weeks, where he played off and on in 2021 as a situational pass-rusher.

And the UO defense has welcomed a couple of new faces in recent days — both familiar, in different ways. Safety Bennett Williams is hoping to play in the Alamo Bowl after recovering from a leg injury suffered Oct. 1, while Jackson Powers-Johnson is working at defensive tackle after spending the regular season on the offensive line.

Williams seemed to be establishing himself as one of college football's best big-play safeties, making three interceptions in the two games before he suffered a freak injury in a Friday walk-through. He's been considered questionable for the bowl game by interim UO head coach Bryan McClendon, but Williams is "chomping at the bit" to play Wednesday, DeRuyter said.

"Watching him the past few days and weeks, it's been tremendous to watch," UO safety Jordan Happle said. "I think he'll be ready."

On the line, meanwhile, Powers-Johnson is working at defensive tackle after moving over from the offensive line, where he made 10 appearances this season. DeRuyter said Powers-Johnson's size and physicality jumped out to him in drills between the offensive and defensive lines in practice this season, along with the freshman's footwork.

"As I watched him on the other side of the ball, I was always thinking in the back of my mind, that guy oughta be on defense," DeRuyter said. "Through whatever circumstances, it has worked out that way."

Powers-Johnson joins a position group that still includes the likes of Brandon Dorlus, Kristian Williams, Sua'ava Poti and others. And those Ducks look like they'll be reunited again next season, after Dorlus announced Monday he plans to return to Oregon for the 2022 season.

Brandon Dorlus Alamo Bowl Press Conference

Brandon Dorlus Alamo Bowl Press Conference

Talented enough to have considered entering the draft, Dorlus first said at a press conference Monday that he was going pro, before quickly making clear he was joking and planned to stay in school.

"I just want to be more of a dominant player, more of a consistent player," he said. "Cause more havoc. Show the nation I can be one of the top D linemen in the nation."

Before moving on to next year, though, Oregon's tried-and-tested 2021 defense gets one last chance to take the field together Wednesday.

"It's been an unusual year, but we've got a special group of guys," said DeRuyter, who has been named defensive coordinator at Texas Tech for next season. "To have one more opportunity to show what we can do, I know these guys are relishing the opportunity."

Other observations: The Ducks typically hold a walk-through two days before a game, but they added a few positional drills to the early part of Monday's practice before transitioning to the walk-through. … Linebackers coach Ken Wilson left San Antonio following Sunday's practice and was in attendance Monday morning for the Quick Lane Bowl in Michigan that featured Nevada, where he has been named head coach. … The Ducks were scheduled to attend a "river rally and team fiesta" on the San Antonio Riverwalk later in the day Monday.