Each year it becomes more evident that the talent level and experience on the defensive line at Oregon is becoming even deeper over the offensive line, and this year’s eleven sacks in the Spring Game confirmed that assertion. We are familiar with many of the names that have been waiting their turn on the defensive line, but the 2025 Oregon Spring Game materialized a name none of us knew–and now will be watching for in the future.
As much gaming fun as I was having at Aviator game apk, I had to take a short break to study the Oregon Spring Game film to witness what could be new star on the defensive line. Is he an Edge Rusher? A defensive tackle, or nose tackle?
Of the 2025 recruiting class, only two were Rivals 3-Star ranked while the rest were considered “Blue-Chip” as a 4 or 5-Star ranked player. A defensive end, Matthew Johnson, was signed in December with little fanfare, yet he exploded on my screen when watching the Spring Game. It was hard to believe that he was not a redshirt freshman, or even a true freshman yet because he technically was of high school age. He was here early instead of participating in high school spring sports, and boy did he show up!
Matthew Johnson, (red arrow) is the one to watch versus a double-team. (Screenshot from B1G Network Video)
While Matthew Johnson was “only” a Rivals 3-Star, he did receive scholarship offers from other notable schools other than Oregon such as Michigan, Miami, Notre Dame and USC. Clearly, these schools saw the upside that Oregon identified early from the Concord, California player at legendary De La Salle High School. Note the red arrow above where he begins on the line of scrimmage, (No. 55) and then watch the video below.
What I enjoyed about the video above is how Johnson collapsed a double-team, and had there been pressure sent from the outside–it would have generated a sack. Johnson has exceptional strength and agility for a 17 year old, although he was not the only one I enjoyed in this video clip. I thought the freshman tight end Vander Ploog, showed some real pluck. And while Akili Smith Jr. looked like his father at quarterback (No. 15)…he reminded me of someone else. Who else had such skinny calves as this young lad?
Then it hit me; it may have been 18 years ago, but Dennis Dixon also had calves smaller than my forearm. A promising comparison?
No. 55 tore through the defense, just as No. 17 did… (Screenshot from B1G Network Video)
Note again above where Matthew Johnson, No. 55 was located (red arrow above) and then check out the video below.
Granted, that No. 17, Blake Purchase stormed through his man, a freshman offensive tackle above, but No. 55 Matthew Johnson sliced through as well. Yet Johnson did not have the extensive time and practice that an experienced D-Lineman like Purchase would have. They met at the QB, and the way Johnson brushed off the block…it looked as though he had done it routinely for years. This young man is just out of high school?
No. 55, Matthew Johnson makes this look too easy, and he is a HS freshman? (Screenshot from B1G Network Video)
For the video below, do note where Johnson begins above with the red arrow on him. (No. 55) It did not matter where they moved him–he was showing superior skills immediately. What did I say about that in the past? Oh yeah….”Greatness and Weakness Emerge Early.”
Holy crap! Matthew Johnson did a “swim” move as if he had been doing so for years, and against fellow college competition? The combination of speed, agility and strength you rarely see, let alone so soon. Now granted–this was not against the starters, but it was against peers who are on an equivalent talent scale and experience. He stood out to me as someone to keep an eye out for in the future, and reminds me again of the superb recruiting analysis that takes place in Eugene.
Did others stand out for you in the Spring Game? I wanted to point out someone who was not a heralded star coming in, and would welcome your thoughts in the only free, civilized Oregon football message board out there, the Our Beloved Ducks forum. Do post because…
“Oh, how we love to ponder about Our Beloved Ducks!”
Charles Fischer (Mr. FishDuck)
Eugene, Oregon
Top Photo by Gary Breedlove
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…