Season In Review: Linebacker

Reviewing Oregon's 2021 season and looking ahead to spring drills.

DEPTH CHART
ILB: Dru Mathis, Sr.; Justin Flowe, Fr.; Jeffrey Bassa, Fr.; Jabril McNeill, Fr.; Micah Roth, Jr.; Jonathan Flowe, Fr.
ILB: Noah Sewell, Fr.; Nate Heaukulani, Sr.; Keith Brown, Fr.; Jackson LaDuke, Fr.; TJ Gilbert, Fr.
OLB: Mase Funa, So.; Adrian Jackson, So.; Treven Ma'ae, RFr.; Brandon Buckner, Fr.; Terrell Tilmon, Fr.

Starters: Noah Sewell took the baton from Troy Dye as Oregon's defensive leader from the linebacker position in 2020, and in 2021 Sewell definitely looked like a worthy heir to the Ducks' leading tackler from 2016-19. Sewell finished 2021 with 114 tackles, second-most in the Pac-12. That included 8.5 tackles for loss with four sacks, and Sewell also had five passes broken up with one interception. He brings a warrior's spirit to the field, and he continues to develop technically as well — already one of the best linebackers on the West Coast, Sewell should have the chance to contend for all-America honors in 2022 after being one of 16 semifinalists for the Butkus Award in 2021.

Sewell played in all 14 games last season, but the cast around him wasn't nearly as stable. Dru Mathis and Justin Flowe each played in only one game before being sidelined by injury — Flowe after a memorable 14-tackle performance against Fresno State. Freshman Keith Brown was the next man up before he too was slowed by injury, and former walk-on Nate Heaukulani stepped into a regular role and finished with 41 tackles, seventh-most on the team. But the biggest splash was by freshman Jeffrey Bassa, who moved down from safety due to the injuries, settled into his new role around midseason and was a sensation in the Alamo Bowl, finishing with nine tackles.

Bassa_

On the outside, Mase Funa also fought through injuries in 2021, though he missed just two games. Funa had 28 tackles and he also recovered a fumble against Fresno State. Adrian Jackson and Brandon Buckner were most impactful in pass-rush situations, while Treven Ma'ae played in all 14 games as he earned the most meaningful playing time of his career to this point — including two starting assignments.

Reserves: Another player who moved to inside linebacker after the early spate of injuries was Jabril McNeill, who moved inside from the edge. He carved out a regular role on special teams, making 13 appearances in 2021. Transfer Micah Roth also provided some depth at linebacker and on special teams, and late in the season the rotation added Jackson LaDuke back from a knee injury. LaDuke actually started the Pac-12 Championship game and finished with three tackles, before missing the Alamo Bowl.

Developmental squad: Though he isn't quite as big as his brother, Jonathan Flowe plays with similar relentless energy and brought that to the scout-team defense in 2021. He often played next to TJ Gilbert, the walk-on linebacker who spent the summer of 2021 in basic training with the Army National Guard to provide the means to continue participating with the Ducks. On the edge, Terrell Tilmon honed his skills as a pass-rusher on the scout-team defense while contributing in games as a special teams coverage player.

Flowe_Fresno State_EE

ROB'S TAKE

SPRING PROJECTION
ILB: Justin Flowe, So.; Jeffrey Bassa, So.; Jabril McNeill, So.; Jonathan Flowe, RFr.
ILB: Noah Sewell, So.; Jackson LaDuke, So.; Keith Brown, So.; Micah Roth, Sr.; TJ Gilbert, RFr.
OLB: Mase Funa, Jr.; Adrian Jackson, Jr.; Treven Ma'ae, So.; Brandon Buckner, So.; Terrell Tilmon, So.; Anthony Jones, Fr.

What To Watch: The key this offseason was for this group to get healthy, because when at full strength there's ample talent. A full season of Sewell and Justin Flowe together could merit comparisons to Asher and Ruhl, Sirmon and Smith, Mitchell and Moretti, Matthews and Paysinger — if they can stay on the field together for a full year and produce as expected. Bassa looks like a budding star wherever he plays, whether he sticks at linebacker or moves back to safety. LaDuke and Brown also have shown flashes when healthy, and both McNeil and Jonathan Flowe ooze athleticism. On the outside, Funa has proven himself a solid contributor, with the potential to take the next step as a big-time disruptor on the edge. There's a lot of young potential there as well, including newcomer Anthony Jones, who signed in December and is already enrolled.