Who is the most crucial defender, the most important position in the Dan Lanning 4-2-5 MINT defense? How much emphasis does the coaching staff give this spot, and how far is Oregon from accomplishing their goals at recruiting and coaching this position? I took some time from my interest in online betting and casino fun to ponder these questions about the progress Lanning is making toward his “ultimate” position on the Oregon defense being fulfilled.
Of course every position on defense is important, as you cannot have a weak spot. Defensive Coordinator Tosh Lupoi wants both inside linebackers to have superior speed to run sideline-to-sideline, while having the requisite bulk to take on blockers and stuff the running game between the tackles. You must have a two-gap run-stuffer at nose tackle who requires double-teaming every time, and yet can apply pass-rushing pressure. A talented strongside defensive end stops the perimeter plays, and yet must have the talent to make sacks as well.
Naturally you need lock-down corners, and speedy safeties who relish making the big hits. Goodness knows that the STAR position in the defensive backfield is difficult as this position operates as a third linebacker at times, and yet must cover receivers like a corner. So which is the most crucial defender? Which has not been named?
The Edge Rusher or the “Jack” linebacker in the Lanning/Lupoi defense.
The fierce 2021 Georgia defense, known as one of the best ever in CFB, was coached by Dan Lanning and featured edge rushers who dominated the line-of-scrimmage, and transformed Bulldog games. These defenders had a disproportionate impact on the defensive side, just as the quarterback does on offense. Not only did those elite edge rushers stymie the passing attacks, but they created turnovers from the skill and speed matchups.
Matayo Uiagalelei beats the blocks and stops a pass. (Screenshot from NBC Sports Video)
In this football season, we noted how the Georgia edge rushers completely discombobulated Texas, and that resulted in a big win for the Bulldogs. Our own Beloved Ducks have had some big plays and games turned by our own edge rushers highlighted by the game ending tip-block-interception at Wisconsin. Jordan Burch went down with injury, but Matayo Uiagalelei filled in and excelled in that spot recently, as he has been gradually improving between late last season and this sophomore year for him.
The depth has been a big problem in the past because when Kayvon Thibodeaux, was hurt–the Ducks had nobody who could force a pass rush in the same manner. Even with him healthy–opposing teams would double and triple-team him as we did not have other complimenting edge rushers who required extra blocking. Hence his presence was often neutralized easily, thus the solution is to obviously recruit a boatload of them.
Easily stated, but extremely hard to do.
Coaches Lanning and Lupoi have taken a shotgun approach, and recruited so many that one spring practice had an amazing 12 edge rushers on the roster. First, it is incredible to be able to the have the recruiting chops to pull it off, and second–it almost guarantees that a couple of uber-talented players will rise to the surface. Oregon has had many wash out and transfer, yet the coaching staff continues to intensely recruit this position to find who the best edge rushers are.
FONG BOMB: On3’s @SWiltfong_ has logged an expert prediction for Oregon to land 2026 5-star EDGE Zion Elee🦆
Elee is the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2026 On300.
Intel: https://t.co/b8NBFLiWeQ pic.twitter.com/kQDomV5RnQ
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) October 21, 2024
Even now the position for edge rusher is packed, with many spilling over to the other defensive end slot when in passing situations. On the roster is Jordan Burch, Matayo Uiagalelei, Teitum Tuioti, Jaedon Moore, Blake Purchase, Ashton Porter, Jaxson Jones, Emar’rion Winston, and new star edge rusher 2024 recruit Elijah Rushing from Arizona. The Ducks have an edge rusher verballed for the 2025 class, and are still in it for two others for the December signing date. The stunner is how Oregon currently leads for the No. 1 player of the entire class of 2026, Zion Elee.
Is Oregon at the Georgia level yet for edge rushers? No, but the Ducks are close. There is excitement with many of the young-guns coming on, and with the continued recruiting and development by the defensive coaching staff–the Ducks are within range of having a crew of dominant edge rushers who routinely change games and create turnovers. Even now the depth is unlike anytime ever in Oregon football history, and with the success demonstrated by current players–the future looks bright for Coach Lanning’s most crucial position in his defense.
Do you think Oregon is as close as I do? Let me know 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 Screenshot from NBC Sports Video
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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…