Friday five: Who have been Oregon’s ‘breakout’ players so far this season?

During the leadup to the 2023 season, there was plenty of speculation as to who would be Oregon’s breakout players.

While the Ducks featured plenty of known stars on both sides of the ball, they also entered fall camp with question marks at a few key positions. Toward the end of July, I took a shot at predicting three offensive and three defensive breakout candidates.

I hit on a few of my picks — sort of.

Patrick Herbert has emerged as Oregon’s clear-cut No. 2 option at tight end and has played the 10th-most snaps among the Ducks’ offensive players after playing the 18th-most snaps last season. Bryan Addison is playing a more prominent role than he did last year, too, and ranks 10th among the Ducks’ defensive players in snaps.

But through four games, a few different Oregon players who were flying under the radar in July have emerged as key contributors.

With the 2023 season nearly one-third of the way finished, here are five Ducks who are in the midst of breakout seasons.

LB Bryce Boettcher

Former South Eugene High standout Bryce Boettcher is approaching cult hero status during his second season with the Ducks.

A walk-on safety-turned-linebacker who also plays outfield for Oregon’s baseball team, Boettcher was not expected to play meaningful snaps for the Ducks this season. Through four games, though, his 16.0 total tackles are the third-most on the team and his 2.0 tackles for loss are tied for second-most.

Boettcher has played 85 snaps — fourth-most among the team’s inside linebackers — and has generated six quarterback pressures. Only Brandon Dorlus (11) and Casey Rogers (seven) have generated more among Oregon defenders.

CB Jahlil Florence

During fall camp, it was difficult to decipher what role Jahlil Florence would play for the Ducks this season. He was repping at both cornerback and STAR, but he didn’t appear to have a clear path to playing time at either spot.

Through four games, though, the standout sophomore has locked down a starting job at corner opposite Khyree Jackson.

Florence’s 119 snaps are the seventh-most among Oregon defenders. He’s been phenomenal in coverage and has also been a steady tackler.

Meanwhile, Dontae Manning (90 snaps) and Trikweze Bridges (76 snaps) appear to have been passed up on the depth chart.

OL Iapani Laloulu

For three consecutive games, freshman offensive lineman Iapani Laloulu has been Oregon’s first offensive lineman off the bench.

The former 4-star signee isn’t just playing garbage time during his true freshman campaign. either. He checked in at right guard midway through the second quarter against Colorado last Saturday.

Laloulu has been an excellent pass-blocker during his true freshman campaign. He has probably benefited from veteran guard Nishad Strother and Junior Angilau being unavailable.

But even still, he’s made the absolute most of his opportunities.

OL Dave Iuli

As is the case with Laloulu, Dave Iuli is playing a far greater role than many Duck fans expected him to this season.

He had played 76 offensive snaps — seventh-most among Oregon’s offensive linemen — and has had a few opportunities to run at left guard with the Ducks’ first-team offense.

It will be interesting to see how Iuli’s playing time is affected once Strother is available to play. During the early portion of the season, though, he has been one of Oregon’s most impactful players from the 2022 signing class.

EDGE Teitum Tuioti

Matayo Uiagalelei has generated plenty of buzz early in his Oregon career, and understandably so.

But fellow ’23 signee Teitum Tuitoi is also off to a fantastic start this season.

Despite being hindered by an injury in late August and early September, Tuoti has managed to carve out a significant role in Tosh Lupoi’s defense. He is averaging 22.3 snaps per game — more than Emar’rion Winston (15.5), Jake Shipley (11.5), and Mase Funa (10.6).

Before the season began, I was pretty concerned about Oregon’s depth at edge defender. But Tuioti’s emergence has gone a long way toward solving that problem, and it’s clear that Lanning and Lupoi are more than willing to lean on the talented freshman in key moments.

The post Friday five: Who have been Oregon’s ‘breakout’ players so far this season? appeared first on On3.