Jordan Burch Highlights Rising Stars at Oregon
Oregon Ducks defensive end Jordan Burch is making the leap from college to the pros and that started at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this week.
During the interview portion of the combine, Burch highlighted a pair of rising stars at Oregon, starting with sophomore defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei, who stood out to him right away.
“When I first got there,” Burch told Travis May of AtoZ Sports. “So his freshman year, just watching him in practice, the moves he can do. He would take over the whole period. He’s just a great guy to have around to and a great athlete.”
Uiagalelei was a strong compliment to Burch on the defensive line, lining up opposite of him at defensive end and leading the Big Ten in sacks as a sophomore. The 6-foot-5, 270-pound lineman recorded 9.5 sacks for the Ducks and is poised to be the team’s next premier talent on the edge with Burch off to the NFL. Teitum Tuioti is another edge player that came to Oregon alongside Uiagalelei in Dan Lanning‘s 2023 recruiting class.
Burch highlights a name to watch in Will Stein’s offense
May continued his interview with another intriguing question for Burch. He asked him to pick one freshman from last season that he would bet his first NFL paycheck on making it to the league in three years.
Burch’s answer might surprise some fans.
“Last year freshman, I’ll say our running back Dink (Da’Jaun Riggs). He’s pretty good. He was just elusive,” Burch said. “They threw him in there with the starters and you couldn’t even tell he was a freshman. I think once he gradually gets up, this year he’ll be pretty good.”
Top 10
- 1Breaking
Hugh Freeze
Diagnosed with cancer
- 2
Mike Rhoades
PSU coach shreds Big Ten format
- 3Trending
Texas A&M, Playfly
Aggies ink record-setting deal
- 4
Isaiah Bond
Texas WR pledges to break record
- 5
Cam Ward
Miami QB not throwing
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
Riggs signed with Oregon as a three-star recruit and 2023-2024 Gatorade Player of the Year for Washington D.C. from St. John’s High School.
The 6-foot, 210-pound back only recorded six carries for 38 yards as a true freshman in his lone appearance against Washington. He did however find the end zone and dazzled fans with his speed, smooth running and elusiveness, as noted by Burch.
Ra’Shaad Samples will have some more carries to dole out in 2025 with Jordan James heading to the NFL. Riggs will likely compete with Noah Whittington, Jay Harris and the rest of the running backs for touches.
The redshirt freshman has been compared to former Oregon running back Bucky Irving, who was one of the NFL’s top backs during his breakout rookie season in 2024.
