My many Duck-Buddies…I know I should not be looking ahead, but I did so in order to provide perspective on how experienced and savvy this 2024 Oregon Football team is. Doing so made me wince and cringe, as I realized that I had better enjoy this special 2024 football season, because next year appears to be a major rebuilding effort for head coach Dan Lanning to the likes rarely seen for Our Beloved Ducks. I had to indulge in my favorite Mushroom Chocolate to overcome the shock of what I found, and let’s see if you agree…
One of the more amazing qualities of this coaching staff will also come back to bite them next year, and that is their ability to convince highly experienced back-ups to remain at Eugene, and not transfer out. This was especially true at defensive back, as we had an abundance of corners of which were seniors with only one opening as everyone knew that Jabbar Muhammad would take the boundary corner spot.
Yet players like Nikko Reed, and Dontae Manning remained, and the Ducks were even able to add to this group with senior corner Kam Alexander from UTSA in the off-season. Think of that…besides all the young-gun corners on the rise, the Ducks had four senior corners this year for two positions? While this aids in Oregon’s ‘Natty-run, it leaves little playing time for the underclassmen, of which will make them even more vulnerable next year as they learn things the hard way on the playing field.
This position is one example, but it is also present at Safety, Wide Receiver, Tight End, Offensive Tackle, etc. You get the idea; Lanning loaded up for this year to make a run, and he figures he’ll solve next year…next year. Now I was aware of this occurring to a degree, but it was not until I broke it down by position did I see how dire the situation for 2025 actually looks. Let’s take a look at the starters, and see who will be leaving due to running out of eligibility, or as a junior moving on to the NFL next year.
Matayo Uiagalelei, No. 10, is one of the few stars returning in 2025. (Photo by Zach Bolinger)
Offense
WR: Tez Johnson, Sr.
WR: Even Stewart, Jr. (NFL)
WR: Traeshon Holden, Sr.
TE: Terrance Ferguson, Sr.
LT: Josh Conerly Jr., Jr. (NFL)
LG: Nishad Strother, Sr.
C: Iapani Laloulu, So ***
RG: Marcus Harper, Sr.
RT: Ajani Cornelius, Sr.
RB: Jordan James, Jr. (NFL)
QB: Dillon Gabriel, Sr.
Defense
DE: Jordan Burch, Sr.
DT: Jamaree Caldwell, Sr.
DT: Derrick Harmon, Jr. (NFL)
Edge: Matayo Uiagalelei, So ***
LB: Jeffrey Bassa, Sr.
LB: Justin Jacobs, Sr., Bryce Boettcher, Sr., Devon Jackson, So ***
STAR: Brandon Johnson, Sr.
CB: Jabbar Muhammad, Sr.
CB: Nikko Reed, Sr., Dontae Manning, Sr., Kam Alexander, Sr.
Safety: Tysheem Johnson, Sr.
Safety: Kobe Savage, Sr.
Wowsa. You see that correctly in bold above, as I project only three starters returning, although technically Devon Jackson has only started a game or two–he has played a ton, and been instrumental in our defensive game-plans. Looking at the rest–you marvel at how well Coach Lanning has built a team over the last two years in the portal that deserves the current No. 1 ranking, but geez, the cupboard is bare of experience for 2025.
A’Mauri Washington, No. 52, and Jaedon Moore, No. 56, are emerging talents on the defensive line. (Photo by Zach Bolinger)
Now before many of you point out how I wrote a similar article like this last year about this time, and how Coach Lanning loaded up in the portal in the off-season…I do not believe we have the scholarships available for very many portal transfers this year. Considering how deep as we are in underclassmen who were highly acclaimed in the recruiting process over the last two years–I do not see Oregon running many players off, as they have not shown their upside yet.
My point is not destroy optimism about the future, but to help us appreciate the team we have this year, and to truly take the time to savor the 2024 journey. While the players returning next year will be young, there is uber-talent that will unfold, and will be fun to watch. For many of us, watching the growth of players and noting their “ah-ha” moments as they get their confidence, and realize they can truly play and excel at this level-is great entertainment as well.
So, it is appreciating each year for the treasures that it gives us, and setting more reasonable expectations for the future. All the more reason to soak in all that 2024 holds for us Oregon fans, and I am curious if you agree with my premise above. Share your thoughts in the only free, civilized, Oregon Football forum out there because…
“Oh, how we love to ponder about Our Beloved Ducks!“
Charles Fischer (Mr. FishDuck)
Eugene, Oregon
Top Photo by Zach Bolinger
Charles Fischer has been an intense fan of the Ducks, a season ticket holder at Autzen Stadium for 38 years and has written reports on football boards for over 26 years. Known as “FishDuck” on those boards, he is acknowledged for providing intense detail in his scrimmage reports, and in his Xs and Os play analyses. He is single, has a daughter Christine, and resides in Eugene Oregon where he was a Financial Advisor for 36 years.
He now focuses full-time on Charitable Planned Giving Workshops for churches and non-profit organizations in addition to managing his two Oregon Football Websites, of FishDuck.com and the Our Beloved Ducks forum. He is a busy man!
He does not profess to be a coach or analyst, but simply a “hack” that enjoys sharing what he has learned and invites others to correct or add to this body of Oregon Football! See More…