Season In Review: DB

The Oregon Ducks take on the Liberty Flames in the 2024 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on January 1, 2024 (Eric Evans Photography)

Photo by: Eric Evans/GoDucks.com

01/20/24 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley

The UO secondary had some big shoes to fill in 2023, and the Ducks responded by fielding the most stingy pass defense in the Pac-12.

By: Rob Moseley

Reviewing Oregon's 2023 season and looking ahead to spring drills.

2023 ROSTER
CB: Khyree Jackson, Sr.; Trikweze Bridges, Jr.; Rodrick Pleasant, Fr.; Timon Davis, So.; Devin Morrow, So.
CB: Jahlil Florence, So.; Dontae Manning, Jr.; Solomon Davis, Fr.; DJ Beckum, So.; Xavier Barksdale, Fr.
S: Steve Stephens IV, Sr.; Bryan Addison, Jr.; Zach Grisham, RFr.; Tyler Turner, Fr.; Dane Sipos, So.; Hunter Roberts, Fr.
S: Evan Williams, Sr.; Cole Martin, Fr.; Daymon David, Jr.; Collin Gill, Fr.; Kodi DeCambra, Fr.
N: Tysheem Johnson, Jr.; Nikko Reed, Jr.; Khamari Terrell, So.; Daylen Austin, Fr.; Marko Vidackovic, So.

Starters: The UO secondary lost a ton of production from 2022, headlined by cornerback Christian Gonzalez and safety Bennett Williams, and yet like the rest of Oregon's defense was able to raise its level of play in 2023. Gonzalez was replaced by another addition from the portal in Khyree Jackson, a shutdown corner who tied for second in the Pac-12 with three interceptions and tied for fourth with 10 total passes defended. Bennett Williams is now a proud alum who got to cheer on his younger brother, Evan Williams, another addition from the portal who like his brother the year before led the Ducks in tackles, with 82.

Yet another transfer, nickel Tysheem Johnson, was third on the team with 70 tackles, including 4.5 for lost yardage. The other corner spot was generally manned by Jahlil Florence, who took a step in his development and had 27 tackles and also his second career interception. Florence was injured late in the year, and Dontae Manning stepped into that spot, finishing the year with six pass breakups including an interception. The deep safety was typically Steve Stephens IV, a high character senior who wasn't a starter to open the season but kept working, joined the lineup midyear and finished fourth on the team with 56 tackles while picking off two passes.

The Oregon Ducks take on the Liberty Flames in the 2024 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on January 1, 2024 (Eric Evans Photography)

Overall the Ducks had the best pass defense in the Pac-12 by most metrics — they allowed the lowest passer rating (117.60), the fewest yards per attempt (6.1) and the least yards per game (215.9). That last number was particularly impressive given Oregon's explosive offense, which often put opponents in early deficits that generally prompted more passing attempts and yards. The Ducks did have to defend a ton of pass plays — 492, second-most in the conference — but limited yardage in part by limiting explosive plays. Opponents had just seven passes of 40-plus yards, second-fewest in the Pac-12, and just one of 50 yards or more, least in the conference.

Reserves: Bryan Addison opened the year as a starting safety before taking leave of the team at midseason for personal reasons. Depth at corner became an issue late in the year after injuries to Jackson and Florence; Manning stepped up along with transfer Nikko Reed, who got reps at both corner and nickel during the season. Trikweze Bridges also provided a versatile option, able to play both corner and safety.

Freshmen Cole Martin and Rodrick Pleasant got their feet wet at the college level in spot duty, and both Tyler Turner and Solomon Davis stayed ready with the travel squad if needed as the injuries took their toll late in the year. Zach Grisham was a regular contributor on special teams who got onto the field defensively in the Fiesta Bowl and ended up recovering a fumble, an awesome moment for a hard-working member of the program.

Developmental squad: A few other potential contributors — Daymon David, Khamari Terrell, Kodi DeCambra and Daylen Austin — battled injuries for parts of the year. Collin Gill showed some playmaking ability as he made the transition from high school. Marko Vidackovic, Dane Sipos, Timon Davis, Devin Morrow and DJ Beckum brought experience to the "look" team defense, and were joined for practice in 2023 by Xavier Barksdale and Hunter Roberts.

2024 SPRING PREVIEW
Veterans: Jahlil Florence, Jr.; Dontae Manning, Sr.; Nikko Reed, Sr.; Khamari Terrell, Jr.; Solomon Davis, RFr.; Rodrick Pleasant, So.; Timon Davis, Jr.; DJ Beckum, Jr.; Xavier Barksdale, RFr.
Newcomers: Kam Alexander, Sr.; Kobe Savage, Sr.; Sione Laulea, Jr.; Dakoda Fields, Fr.; Aaron Flowers, Fr.; Kingston Lopa, Fr.; Cruz Rushing, So.

What to Watch: Once again the secondary will look quite a bit different in 2024, and once again the coaching staff took steps to bring in veterans who can compete for some of the open spots. Florence, Manning and Reed will bring experience with Oregon to the corner spots, and transfers Kam Alexander and Sione Laulea will bolster that veteran presence. Kobe Savage provides experience via the portal on the back end. The Ducks also signed an elite class of freshmen, with Dakoda Fields having enrolled early for some Fiesta Bowl practices and Aaron Flowers having been one of the stars of the week of practice for the All-American Bowl high school all-star game.