Oregon’s updated 2023 roster reflects notable height, weight changes

Fall camp has reached the midway point in Eugene, and the Oregon Ducks have updated their football roster to include player heights and weights ahead of the 2023 season.

Countless players within the program have credited strength and conditioning coach Wilson Love and director of speed and performance Jarwarski Beckum for helping them make physical transformations during the offseason. Many of those are evident in terms of sheer weight gained or lost.

Here are a few takeaways from Oregon’s first height and weight update since last August.

The linebacker room

This offseason, Dan Lanning and Tosh Lupoi went to work overhauling the Ducks’ linebacker room in order to better fit their defensive scheme.

Noah Sewell, Justin Flowe, Keith Brown, Jackson LaDuke, and Harrison Taggart all departed the program during the offseason. What’s left is a lighter, more rangy group of ‘backers that seems well-suited for the modern version of college football.

Jestin Jacobs and Connor Soelle joined Oregon via the portal in the offseason. They join returners Jeffrey Bassa, Devon Jackson, and Jamal Hill — all of whom have made significant weight gains since this time last year.

Bassa has gained 18 pounds and is now listed at 230. Hill has gained 15 pounds and is now listed at 226. Jackson has gained 14 pounds and is now listed at 228.

Jordan Burch is, indeed, a freak

Oregon junior defensive end Jordan Burch made waves earlier this week when he landed at No. 4 on Bruce Feldman’s annual ‘freaks’ list, which highlights the 100 most gifted athletes in college football.

Feldman reported that Burch has hit 20.85 miles-per-hour on the GPS, has posted a 34-inch vertical jump, and owns a personal-best back squat of 685 pounds.

“It doesn’t really mean anything to me,” Burch said with a slight smile when he was informed of his inclusion on Feldman’s list. “I guess it’s good to know.”

For a player who was listed at 275 pounds when he played at South Carolina last season, those weight-room measurables are, of course, impressive.

They seem even more impressive after Burch was listed at 290 pounds by UO on Wednesday.

Troy Franklin’s continued progression

Oregon star receiver Troy Franklin spent the offseason fine-tuning the intricate details of his game as looks to build on a stellar sophomore campaign.

For the second year in a row, he also bulked up significantly.

When the 6-foot-3 Franklin arrived at Oregon in 2021, he weighed 167 pounds. Last season, he played at 178 pounds.

Now, Franklin is listed at 187 pounds.

“I think it just helps me with my play strength,” Franklin said earlier this month. “Running through defenders, things like that. When I’m trying to clear; with my release. Breaking tackles. Running after the catch.”

Oregon’s running backs are going to be a handful

It’s no secret that the Ducks’ running back room is one of the more sheerly talented in all of college football.

After Wednesday’s roster update, Oregon fans have every reason to be even more excited about the program’s ball carriers.

Noah Whittington, who excelled last season alongside all-conference junior Bucky Irving, has jumped from 194 pounds to 208.

Sophomore Jordan James took hold of a short-yardage role as a true freshman. He has dropped five pounds and is now listed at 205, which has prompted excitement from position coach Carlos Locklyn.

“He looks good. He looks lean,” Locklyn said of James. “I’ve seen his growth in the weight room. He’s understanding that this is not high school where I get the ball and I can just run over everybody. He’s understanding run concepts, where he fits in with run concepts, and what his reads are.”

True freshman Dante Dowdell, who was listed at 6-foot-1, 208 pounds as a recruit, has jumped to 6-foot-2, 215 pounds.

Freshmen packing on weight

Dowdell is far from the only Oregon freshman who has physically transformed since arriving in Eugene.

Here are some notable gains from the Ducks’ 2023 signees:

CB Daylen Austin: 180 pounds -> 195 poundsDL Johnny Bowens: 265 pounds -> 290 poundsOL Bryce Boulton: 255 pounds -> 280 poundsDL Terrance Green: 265 pounds -> 315 poundsQB Austin Novosasd: 185 pounds -> 200 poundsOLB Teitum Tuioti: 220 pounds -> 245 pounds

Additionally, offensive lineman Iapani Laloulu has dropped 30 pounds and is now listed at 325 ahead of his first season with the Ducks.

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