Preseason Camp Preview: LB
08/04/21 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley
Assessing how things stack up for the UO football program entering the start of preseason camp Aug. 6.
LINEBACKER
Who's back: Reigning Pac-12 freshman defensive player of the year Noah Sewell leads Oregon's linebackers entering the 2021 season. He had 45 tackles in seven games a year ago to tie for the team lead with Isaac Slade-Matautia; the latter opted to transfer this offseason, and so the UO defense will look different without its most experienced returning linebacker from last year's team. Into the void could step Sewell's fellow 2020 five-star recruit, Justin Flowe, though hard-hitting senior Dru Mathis figures to challenge for reps there as well. Nate Heaukulani adds experienced depth that was rewarded with a scholarship last year, and Jackson LaDuke is back after an injury marred freshman year; during his healthy stretches, he showed the versatility to play both inside or outside linebacker.
The returners on the edges are led by Mase Funa, the team's sixth-leading tackler a year ago with 30. Funa was solid in his second year with the Ducks, and will look to be more disruptive as a sophomore via tackles for loss and forced turnovers. Adrian Jackson brings elite athleticism to the edge group as well, and there are some young guys with substantial practice time under their belts in Treven Ma'ae and Jaden Navarrette. TJ Gilbert also banked practice reps in his debut season with the Ducks last fall.
Who's new: This unit got an infusion of talent over the offseason, beginning with the arrival of elite in-state recruit Keith Brown for spring practice. This year's recruiting class also included edge defenders Brandon Buckner, Jabril McNeil and Terrell Tilmon, along with Flowe's younger brother, Jonathan Flowe. The Ducks also added a transfer in Micah Roth, who brings two seasons of playing experience at the D-II level.
ROB'S TAKE
Projected depth chart
OLB: Mase Funa, So.; Treven Ma'ae, RFr.; Jaden Navarrette, Fr.; Jabril McNeil, Fr.
ILB: Noah Sewell, Fr.; Nate Heaukulani, Sr.; Micah Roth, Jr.; Jonathan Flowe, Fr.; TJ Gilbert, Fr.
ILB: Dru Mathis, Sr.; Justin Flowe, Fr.; Jackson LaDuke, Fr.; Keith Brown, Fr.
OLB: Adrian Jackson, So.; Brandon Buckner, Fr.; Terrell Tilmon, Fr.
What to watch: All eyes will be on Justin Flowe to see how he builds on his breakout performance in the Spring Game. Flowe put an injury marred fall of 2020 behind him in the Spring Game, tallying a sack among his five tackles and also a pass breakup. Mathis and Flowe are both hard-hitting, athletic guys who thrive on contact, and if a battle does develop between the two it should be competitive and entertaining. LaDuke's progress back from his injury shortened first season also will be something to monitor, as will the development of all the incoming freshmen. Fans will be eager to see come September how new coordinator Tim DeRuyter deploys his defense, and how many of these guys will be on the field at the same time.
