Preseason Camp Preview: Linebacker
By Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com
Assessing where things stand for the Oregon football team entering the start of preseason camp Aug. 10.
LINEBACKER
Who’s back: Despite losing two senior starters, the Ducks are exceptionally experienced at linebacker entering 2015, good news for a front seven that may need to take some pressure off the young defensive backfield, at least early in the season. Rodney Hardrick and Tyson Coleman were full-time starters in 2014, and they’ll look to go from good to great as seniors. Joe Walker was the other starter on the inside by the end of last season, and has the potential to be a disruptive force in the opposing backfield this fall. Joining Coleman on the outside could be Christian French, who led the Ducks in sacks as a junior and can earn the starting nod by proving himself a well-rounded linebacker.
There are backups with ample experience, too, notably Torrodney Prevot on the outside. Like French, he’s an athletic pass-rusher working to be a complete linebacker. On the inside, Johnny Ragin III was a first-string nickel linebacker most of 2014, and Danny Mattingly rotated on the inside as well. Jimmie Swain and Justin Hollins played as true freshmen last fall, making an impact on special teams. Deeper in the rotation, Cody Carriger is coming back from a season lost to injury, and walk-on Ivan Faulhaber continues to be a valuable practice player.
Who’s new: The new face with the chance to make the biggest impact could be Eddie Heard. A former standout baseball player, Heard redshirted last season. The light seemed to go on this spring, and Heard has the potential to make the UO defense a better pass-rushing team in 2015. The Ducks added another transfer this summer, Paris Bostick, and JC transfer Jonah Moi was working to arrive for preseason camp. And De’Quan McDowell arrived as a walk-on for spring drills, when he proved to be an athletic, hard-working addition.
ESPN’s take: Great shape: “Oregon is dealing with known commodities who will execute assignments. Even if talent is not on a Kiko Alonso or Michael Clay level anymore, this unit will remain effective.”
ROB’S TAKE
Projected depth chart
OLB: Christian French, Sr.; Eddie Heard, RSo.; Justin Hollins, So.; Cody Carriger, Jr.
ILB: Rodney Hardrick, Sr.; Danny Mattingly, So.; Paris Bostick, So.
ILB: Joe Walker, Sr.; Johnny Ragin III, Jr.; Jimmie Swain, So.; De'Quan McDowell, Jr.
OLB: Tyson Coleman, Sr.; Torrodney Prevot, Jr.; Jonah Moi, Jr.; Ivan Faulhaber, So.
What to Watch: Like a lot of spots, the question this month is just how much some of the younger guys can push the established veterans. Swain had an outstanding spring, and Heard took some strides that he will try to carry over into preseason camp. The fact Hollins sat out the spring game opened the door even wider for Heard. But with guys like Coleman, Walker, Hardrick, French, Prevot and Ragin around, it will be a tough rotation to crack. If any of the younger guys do indeed jump up a rung on the depth chart, you know they had a really strong month of practices.
