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Oregon Football: Five Breakout Candidates on Defense

On3 imageby:Justin Hopkins•07/25/22
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Oregon’s Dan Lanning is one of 10 FBS coaches making their head coaching debuts, while Jim Harbaugh got Biblical discussing his QB competition. (Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Football is heating up. And I couldn’t be any more excited for it.

And I’m going to bet you feel the same way.

Dan Lanning inherits a solid team. A good team but with a few question marks. And some really good youth at his disposal.

But what will the defense look like under the former Georgia DC? He has some really good players but also has some holes to fill. Which means we’ll see some new faces.

Here are five names ahead of Fall camp I think have the potential to be breakout candidates in the defense.

If you missed the offensive update from last week, here it is.

DB – Christian Gonzalez – I think Gonzo has been widely regarded as a guy ready to be a big-time DB in the Pac-12 this season. And Oregon is going to count on him in a big way. It won’t surprise me to see Gonzo raise his NFL draft stock this season with Oregon.

DB – Bennett Williams – Another DB, but Williams is likely a safety with Gonzo a corner. Williams flashed some bright spots last season but battled injuries. As long as he can stay healthy I think he’s got a shot at having a huge season for Oregon and he will be needed in the deep secondary.

LB – Jackson LaDuke – Again another player cut short with an injury. But I think the glimpse we got of LaDuke showed he is ready to be a big-time contributor with the LB group this season. While Sewell and Flowe are getting the headlines currently, don’t be surprised when LaDuke has a big year as well.

DL/DT – Sam Taimani – A big transfer that will likely be counted on in a big way for the Ducks. Lanning counts on having a big ‘hole-filler’ in the middle of the defense and Taimani will come in and at worst, provide depth there. He’ll no doubt be in the rotation and as we know injuries can occur here so he might become paramount for the defense.

DL/DE – Casey Rogers – Another key transfer that Oregon is counting on. I know Brandon Dorlus is going to command a lot of attention as he should. But someone has to play on the opposite edge and I think Rogers will be a part of that rotation with Bradyn Swinson and others.

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