Photo by: Eric Evans/GoDucks.com
Dorlus Will Cap Productive Career Monday
12/28/23 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley
Oregon's versatile, high-energy defensive lineman leads the Ducks against Liberty in the Fiesta Bowl on Monday.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — When Oregon's Fiesta Bowl matchup with Liberty was announced, members of the UO football program began getting themselves up to speed on the personnel and tendencies of the Conference USA champions.
One of the Ducks had a head start. Senior defensive lineman Brandon will lead the Ducks against his mother's alma mater when he makes the final appearance of his UO career Monday. He even attended her graduation in Lynchburg, Va., he said.
"I've actually been to Liberty, I've been to the campus, I know what they're about," Dorlus said Thursday, during the first formal press conference of the week leading up to the game. "I've been around the program for a long time, so it's gonna be exciting. I never thought I'd have a chance to play Liberty."
The chance to face the Flames is one of several reasons Dorlus, who has a bright future as a professional, plans to suit up for the Ducks one last time Monday. In an age when draft-eligible players regularly chose to sit out bowl games, Dorlus eschewed convention and was with his Oregon teammates when bowl practices began earlier this month.
The day the Fiesta Bowl matchup was announced, UO quarterback Bo Nix informed the Ducks he intended to play in the game. Five days later practices began, and not only Dorlus but running back Bucky Irving — who has announced he'll enter the NFL Draft — were participants.
"When you see someone like Bo playing, it triggers everyone else — you see Bucky's going to play, and other guys started saying, if you're gonna play then we're gonna play," Dorlus said. "I think we've got guys who truly love football. Like me — I love this game."
Dorlus' love for the game shows in the infectious energy he brings to the practice field most days during the season. And it shows in the commitment to improvement he displayed over the past five seasons, culminating in a first-team all-Pac-12 senior season.
With a team-high five sacks entering the bowl game, Dorlus matched his total from the previous two years combined. He's Oregon's active leader with 27 career tackles for loss, including 12 sacks.
"We all could see the talent he possessed," UO defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi said. "When he matched that talent more so with this work ethic this season, the preparation he put in, you see all of his production."
Dorlus arrived at Oregon in 2019 as a three-star recruit. He'll leave after Monday's Fiesta Bowl as a three-time all-Pac-12 honoree, having earned the designation as a bona fide game-wrecker.
"He made huge strides every year," linebacker Jeffrey Bassa said. "He's a guy that's always gonna be consistent with his work, always looking to get better, whether that's in the run game or rushing the passer."
Lupoi joined the UO staff in 2022 after spending the three previous years in the NFL. Given how small pro rosters are compared to college, he understands the value of versatility. And few linemen in recent UO history have been as versatile as Dorlus.
"We could put him at any spot on the D line," senior safety Steve Stephens IV said. "And wherever he's at, he's wreaking havoc."
Often, he does it with a smile. Whether he's cheering on a fellow defensive lineman during pass-rush practice or playfully jawing with Lupoi while running between drills on the UO practice fields, Dorlus often exudes positive energy.
"Brandon does being good energy — and we feel like that's a requirement," Lupoi said. "We put a lot into this thing; there's a lot of passion involved. And Brandon is one of the leaders of that. … We feel like, if you're juice-less you're useless. And he certainly competes to bring some of the highest juice level on our defense."
Added Bassa: "He's a great guy, a great teammate. You always want to be around him. His energy is fantastic, and I appreciate him so much for that."
The chance to bring the juice one more time with teammates like Bassa and Stephens is yet another reason Dorlus chose to be with the Ducks this week, rather than turning his attention to draft preparations. He has the chance to cap the most consistently productive season of his career, and go out on a better note than the last time the Ducks took the field, in the Pac-12 Championship Game.
Not everyone would make the same choice. But Dorlus did, along with guys like Nix and Irving.
"They're leaders, and this is what leaders do: You show up for your team," Stephens said. "And that's exactly what they're doing."
One of the Ducks had a head start. Senior defensive lineman Brandon will lead the Ducks against his mother's alma mater when he makes the final appearance of his UO career Monday. He even attended her graduation in Lynchburg, Va., he said.
"I've actually been to Liberty, I've been to the campus, I know what they're about," Dorlus said Thursday, during the first formal press conference of the week leading up to the game. "I've been around the program for a long time, so it's gonna be exciting. I never thought I'd have a chance to play Liberty."
The chance to face the Flames is one of several reasons Dorlus, who has a bright future as a professional, plans to suit up for the Ducks one last time Monday. In an age when draft-eligible players regularly chose to sit out bowl games, Dorlus eschewed convention and was with his Oregon teammates when bowl practices began earlier this month.
The day the Fiesta Bowl matchup was announced, UO quarterback Bo Nix informed the Ducks he intended to play in the game. Five days later practices began, and not only Dorlus but running back Bucky Irving — who has announced he'll enter the NFL Draft — were participants.
"When you see someone like Bo playing, it triggers everyone else — you see Bucky's going to play, and other guys started saying, if you're gonna play then we're gonna play," Dorlus said. "I think we've got guys who truly love football. Like me — I love this game."
Dorlus' love for the game shows in the infectious energy he brings to the practice field most days during the season. And it shows in the commitment to improvement he displayed over the past five seasons, culminating in a first-team all-Pac-12 senior season.
With a team-high five sacks entering the bowl game, Dorlus matched his total from the previous two years combined. He's Oregon's active leader with 27 career tackles for loss, including 12 sacks.
"We all could see the talent he possessed," UO defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi said. "When he matched that talent more so with this work ethic this season, the preparation he put in, you see all of his production."
Dorlus arrived at Oregon in 2019 as a three-star recruit. He'll leave after Monday's Fiesta Bowl as a three-time all-Pac-12 honoree, having earned the designation as a bona fide game-wrecker.
"He made huge strides every year," linebacker Jeffrey Bassa said. "He's a guy that's always gonna be consistent with his work, always looking to get better, whether that's in the run game or rushing the passer."
Lupoi joined the UO staff in 2022 after spending the three previous years in the NFL. Given how small pro rosters are compared to college, he understands the value of versatility. And few linemen in recent UO history have been as versatile as Dorlus.
"We could put him at any spot on the D line," senior safety Steve Stephens IV said. "And wherever he's at, he's wreaking havoc."
Often, he does it with a smile. Whether he's cheering on a fellow defensive lineman during pass-rush practice or playfully jawing with Lupoi while running between drills on the UO practice fields, Dorlus often exudes positive energy.
"Brandon does being good energy — and we feel like that's a requirement," Lupoi said. "We put a lot into this thing; there's a lot of passion involved. And Brandon is one of the leaders of that. … We feel like, if you're juice-less you're useless. And he certainly competes to bring some of the highest juice level on our defense."
Added Bassa: "He's a great guy, a great teammate. You always want to be around him. His energy is fantastic, and I appreciate him so much for that."
The chance to bring the juice one more time with teammates like Bassa and Stephens is yet another reason Dorlus chose to be with the Ducks this week, rather than turning his attention to draft preparations. He has the chance to cap the most consistently productive season of his career, and go out on a better note than the last time the Ducks took the field, in the Pac-12 Championship Game.
Not everyone would make the same choice. But Dorlus did, along with guys like Nix and Irving.
"They're leaders, and this is what leaders do: You show up for your team," Stephens said. "And that's exactly what they're doing."
Players Mentioned
Footy vs. Football | AFL Player Takes on 2026 Oregon Football Spring Game
Wednesday, May 06
2026 Oregon Football | Meet the Flock: Tight Ends
Thursday, April 30
Jerry Mixon | 2026 Spring Game
Sunday, April 26
Dylan Raiola | 2026 Spring Game
Sunday, April 26
