Preseason Camp Preview: OL
07/30/21 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley
Assessing how things stack up for the UO football program entering the start of preseason camp Aug. 6.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Who's back: In short, almost everybody. Two years after boasting the most experienced offensive line in the country, and a year after fielding the least experienced line in college football, the Ducks enjoy a wealth of experience entering 2021. Alex Forsyth, George Moore and company were thrust into the mix a year ago after the departure of six regulars, and they held their own – Oregon's rushing yards per game dropped slightly from 2019 to 2020 (174.86 to 166.71) but the Ducks improved in yards per carry (4.80 to 4.92) and sacks allowed per game (1.79 to 1.57). A year of experience on the field, and a year of playing in offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead's system, should make for an even more cohesive unit this season.
The aforementioned Forsyth and Moore spent last season in a six-man rotation with T.J. Bass, Ryan Walk, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu and Steven Jones. The ability of Walk and Forsyth to play any interior position, and that of Aumavae-Laulu and Jones to play both guard and tackle, allowed for using all six regulars in a steady rotation. The next men up in the rotation were Jonathan Denis on the interior and Dawson Jaramillo at tackle, but the Ducks leaned heavily on the primary six guys. Marcus Harper II, Faaope Laloulu and Logan Sagapolu got their feet wet on the developmental squad with Devin Lewis, Cole Young and Kai Arneson. Unable to join them was Jaylan Jeffers, who was sidelined much of the year by injury.
Who's new: Oregon's elite recruiting on the offensive line was evident yet again this spring. Kingsley Suamataia was a regular with the second unit in April, and Jackson Powers-Johnson needed only a week or two to go from newcomer with his head on a swivel to vocal leader in the middle of the line. Bram Walden also was on hand for the spring, and for preseason camp they'll be joined by classmates Jonah Miller, Bailey Jaramillo and Kanen Rossi.
ROB'S TAKE
Projected depth chart
LT: George Moore, Sr.; Kingsley Suamataia, Fr.; Faaope Laloulu, Fr.; Bram Walden, Fr.
LG: T.J. Bass, Jr.; Marcus Harper II, Fr.; Kai Arneson, Fr.; Kanen Rossi, Fr.
C: Alex Forsyth, Jr.; Jonathan Denis, Fr.; Jackson Powers-Johnson, Fr.; Devin Lewis, So.
RG: Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, Jr./Ryan Walk, Jr.; Logan Sagapolu, Fr.; Cole Young, RFr.
RT: Steven Jones, So.; Dawson Jaramillo, So.; Jaylan Jeffers, Fr.; Jonah Miller, Fr.; Bailey Jaramillo, Fr.
What to watch: Last season's logjam of six players for five spots was ameliorated in the spring when Aumavae-Laulu missed time rehabbing an injury. But as preseason camp dawns the Ducks are back where they were last year – and the rotation of regulars could expand even more this year. At Pac-12 Media Day, Mario Cristobal predicted the Ducks would play "a lot of guys" this season. If nothing else, having a nonconference schedule this season should provide some early opportunities to expand the rotation and see which of the young guys is up to the task of joining the regular group. But even that right – getting game experience come September – has to be earned in August, a process that begins next week.
