Three key Oregon Interior DL storylines ahead of fall camp 2023

Fall camp is just around the corner for the Oregon Ducks ahead of Dan Lanning’s second season at the helm of the program.

After a 10-3 finish in 2022, Lanning and his staff went to work this offseason overhauling the Ducks’ roster to fit their vision. Oregon will welcome a 30-player signing class that ranked eighth nationally, and it has also added 14 players by way of the transfer portal.

It goes without saying that the 2023 version of Lanning’s Ducks will look vastly different than the 2022 iteration.

As we inch closer to August, the ScoopDuck staff has identified three prominent storylines regarding each of Oregon’s position groups.

Next up, the interior defensive linemen.

The return of Popo Aumavae

The last time Popo Aumavae suited up for the Oregon Ducks 593 days ago, he was one of the program’s top defensive players and the heart and soul of its defensive line.

Aumavae’s career since then, though, has been stalled by injuries. He suffered a torn labrum that kept him sidelined through the falling spring. He rehabbed that injury and was full-go last fall, but suffered a foot injury last August that wiped out his entire 2022 season.

Aumavae is full-healthy once again and will be looking to pick up where he left off for the Ducks in 2021. That season, his 23 quarterback hurries were the second-most in the Pac-12 among defensive linemen.

If Aumavae is able to return to form, he, Brandon Dorlus, and Jordan Burch could form one of the more dynamic defensive fronts in the nation.

“I think with the added years comes maturity, comes experience,” Oregon defensive line coach Tony Tuioti said of Aumavae in April. “He’s shown a lot of flash. He’s a combination player that can hold the point and play the nose guard position and can play the defensive tackle position. He’s got a lot of athleticism for his size. It’s about 305 now, very twitchy. So I’m really excited about what he’s gonna be able to do.”

Quality depth

At times over the past few seasons, Oregon had a glaring lack of depth along the defensive interior. It’s safe to say that is no longer the case.

Aumavae, Casey Rogers, Taki Taimani, and Keyon Ware-Hudson are all starting-caliber players who are going to be competing for reps. Additionally, Dorlus’ ability to slide from defensive end to defensive tackle will provide Dan Lanning and Tosh Lupoi with another explosive option.

The lone Oregon interior defensive lineman who saw significant playing time last season who is no longer with the program is Jordon Riley, who played 333 snaps and was selected by the New York Giants in the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Ducks’ sheer amount of quality depth in the trenches could help Lupoi’s defense take a step forward this season.

Taki Taimani’s second-year surge

Last fall, Taki Taimani was candid about his early struggles after transferring to Oregon.

The senior nose tackle’s optimal playing weight is around 315 pounds, but he said he weighed in closer to 350 when he joined the Ducks for spring ball after transferring in from Washington. Additionally, he struggled with nagging injuries throughout the 2022 season and — like so many other Oregon players — took time to adapt to Lanning and Lupoi’s scheme.

Even still, he delivered a strong debut season at UO and was a consistent run-stopper for the Ducks.

According to those within the program, Taimani is poised to be even better during his second year in Eugene.

“For somebody like Taki, just having another year, he truly understands where everybody fits, what’s expected of him on defense,” Tuioti said. “So, for him, it’s just getting in the best shape you can possibly be in — because he’s a guy that definitely can command blocks. If they try to single out he’s gonna win his fair share of battles.”

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