ScoopDuck Roundtable: Predicting superlatives for Oregon’s 2023 season
With Oregon’s 2023 season opener just around the corner, the ScoopDuck staff is making one last set of predictions.
Justin Hopkins, Joel Gunderson, and I took a crack at predicting who will be the Ducks’ offensive and defensive players of the year, offensive and defensive freshmen of the year, and offensive and defensive breakout players.
Without further ado, here are our picks.
Offensive player of the year
Joel Gunderson: Bucky Irving
We know that Carlos Locklyn will go three deep, sometimes even four. And he should because Oregon’s running backs room is as deep as ever. But when it’s all said and done, Irving is just that good, and—especially in November— he will need to be The Man. Oregon tried to be cute last year in losses to Washington and Oregon State when it was apparent they could just run the ball and neither team could stop them.
They won’t make the same mistakes this year. In a crowded room, look for Irving to remain atop the depth chart and be the catalyst for the Ducks’ drive to the playoffs.
Justin Hopkins: Bo Nix
The obvious choice here is Nix. And I’m not going to get cute with it. Oregon has invested a lot of money and resources into Nix’s Heisman campaign. And I would wager they are doing that because they know he’s in line for a special season. Additionally, the only way to give him a chance at winning the Heisman is to let him put the stats with it.
Jarrid Denney: Troy Franklin
Nix and Irving are undoubtedly going to be two of the top players in the nation at their respective positions. For the sake of variety, though, I’ll take Troy Franklin here.
Franklin spent the offseason improving the fine details of his game and has bulked up significantly after a breakout sophomore campaign. I think he’s going to become Oregon’s first 1,000-yard receiver since 2018 and will cement his status as a first-round 2024 NFL Draft pick.
Defensive player of the year
Joel Gunderson: Jestin Jacobs
Not since Kiko Alonso roamed the middle has there been a linebacker more hand-in-glove than what Jacobs is to Lanning’s scheme. Yes, Lanning prefers ‘backers that are fast, and he’s willing to give up some size if it means the speed is there. But why not have both? In a healthy Jacobs — admittedly a concern — that’s what they have.
Jacobs is the perfect antidote for a unit that has much to prove after a porous 2022.
Justin Hopkins: Jestin Jacobs
Oregon needs Jacobs to play big. Dan Lanning’s defense sets up its linebacker for big games. Prior to his injury, Jacobs was climbing on some early NFL draft boards. A special season at Oregon will push him right back up those boards.
Jarrid Denney: Brandon Dorlus
This is a make-or-break year for Brandon Dorlus. At times over the past two seasons, he has looked like an NFL talent. But injuries hindered him down the stretch last year. With Jordan Burch and Popo Aumavae in the fold, Dorlus is going to get plenty of one-on-one matchups in 2023. I expect him to up his production significantly.
Offensive freshman of the year
Joel Gunderson: Jurrion Dickey
Finding a true freshman that is in-line to make a big impact in this class is difficult; not because there are a lack of options, but rather there is not much room for playing time. Dickey is the safest choice, however, because of two things: he has the highest ceiling of any recruit, and he plays a position where there are potentially five players on the field.
My sleeper pick would be Donte Dowdell, but the odds of him carving out any consistent playing time are too low (barring disaster). While I don’t envision Dickey eclipsing even the 500-yard barrier with the talent in front of him, I can see a scenario where he’s catching 2-3 balls per game and setting himself up for a monster 2024.
Justin Hopkins: Kenyon Sadiq
Oregon doesn’t have great tight end depth. And tight ends get banged up fairly often because of the physicality of the position. Sadiq will be counted on to play this season and will even step up in certain games when depth is tested.
Jarrid Denney: Iapani Laloulu
I’m not sure any Oregon offensive freshman has a particularly clear path to playing time. So, I’ll go with the player who has generated the most buzz this summer.
Iapani “Ponch” Laloulu had a tremendous fall camp and, by all accounts, has held his own against Oregon’s veteran defensive linemen during practice. It’s going to be tough for him to crack the two-deep, but he should get plenty of early-season snaps in blowout scenarios.
Defensive freshman of the year
Joel Gunderson: Matayo Uiagalelei
Not to go too chalk here by selecting the two highest-rated commits, but the Matayo pick seems like a safe bet. His name is a constant amongst coaches and teammates, and he plays a position which is in desperate need of playmakers. Where Dickey is trying to overcome 5-6 established players who have proven their worth, Matayo’s path is much clearer.
Between Matayo, Jordan Burch, and other true freshmen, Oregon’s pass rush seems to be on the uptick, and Young Concrete seems poised to be the man.
Justin Hopkins: Matayo Uiagelelei
There is a lot of growing excitement about Matayo. He’s a special type of athlete that will have a chance in a stacked defense this season. He’s being compared to Kayvon Thibodeaux at the same stage in his career, which is some pretty high praise.
Jarrid Denney: Matayo Uiagelelei
The Matayo Uiagelelei hype train has officially left the station. He’s one of the more physically gifted freshmen to come through Eugene in a long time, and he’s going to have a chance to make an immediate impact.
Uiagelelei could end up being one of the Ducks’ most important defensive players, full-stop.
Offensive breakout candidate
Joel Gunderson: Traeshon Holden
He’s my choice for the surprise storyline as well, so it’s only logical that I feel Traeshon Holden is set to explode in Eugene. Regardless of how it came about, or what the results were, if you’re good enough to play and start at Alabama, you’re certainly good enough to start and potentially dominate in the Pac-12.
Justin Hopkins: Tez Johnson
It will probably be one of the receiver transfers that bursts onto the scene, so really it’s just pick your poison. Holden would be a good choice but I’m going with Johnson. I think the chemistry with Bo Nix will be off the charts and will lead Tez to a huge season at Oregon.
Jarrid Denney: Josh Conerly Jr.
Oregon is replacing a two-time all-conference left tackle in T.J. Bass, who recently landed a 53-man roster spot with the Dallas Cowboys. And yet, in Josh Conerly Jr., the Ducks have potentially found an upgrade at the position.
Conerly is the highest-rated offensive line signee in program history. He’s Oregon’s most athletically gifted offensive lineman since Penei Sewell. I think he’s going to slot in seamlessly and deliver an all-conference-caliber season.
Defensive breakout candidate
Joel Gunderson: Jordan Burch
Okay, this is starting to look lazy on my part, but it’s so obvious. Like Holden, Burch was starting to round into form and become a problem for SEC linemen; now he gets to eat against the final Pac-12 version.
Will he be Kayvon Thibodeaux? Probably not. Will he be Oregon’s best and most ferocious pass rusher, leading the conference in sacks?
I think he will.
Justin Hopkins: Jordan Burch
Another transfer that Oregon will count on. Burch seems like a very obvious choice here but you could easily argue Khyree Jackson or any of the safety transfers. I’m going with Burch however, he should excel in this defense and find himself climbing up NFL draft boards in December.
Jarrid Denney: Jeffrey Bassa
While Jestin Jacobs might end up being Oregon’s most valuable middle linebacker, I think Jeffrey Bassa is going to have a very good season in his own right. He went through some growing pains as a true sophomore after making the switch from safety but is now much better suited to succeed in Dan Lanning and Tosh Lupoi’s scheme.
Bassa will be a tackling machine for the Ducks this season.
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