Three defensive line storylines to follow during Oregon’s 2023 spring game

As Dan Lanning and his staff continue to reshape the Oregon program ahead of their second season in Eugene, the Ducks’ spring game is just around the corner.

The April 29 scrimmage at Autzen Stadium in Eugene is set for a 1 p.m. PT kickoff and will feature plenty of new impactful additions. This spring, 31 newcomers have joined the program via the transfer portal and the 2023 signing class.

Throughout the week, the ScoopDuck staff will be identifying three spring game storylines to keep tabs on for each Oregon position group.

Next up, the defensive line.

Popo Aumavae’s return

The last time Popo Aumavae suited up for a college football game was Dec. 3, 2021, when Oregon lost to Utah in the Pac-12 Championship Game.

When he steps on the Autzen Stadium turf this Saturday, that game will be 512 days in the rearview. So much within the Ducks’ program has changed during that time. But after a season lost to injuries, Aumavae is ready to pick up where he left off and become the anchor of the Ducks’ defensive line once again.

Aumavae was an all-conference selection for Oregon in 2021 and missed the end of that season with multiple injuries. He recovered during the offseason and joined the Ducks for fall camp.

But in the days leading up to the 2022 season opener, he suffered a season-ending foot injury.

He has made another healthy return this spring and is starting to find his footing ahead of his sixth college season.

“He’s shown a lot of flashes of being a really great player,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said this week. “I think every one of these practices has really benefited him. You know, the other way you’re gonna get better at football is playing football. And the Popo works so hard to get back. Our training staff did such a great job to get him back where he’s ready but he’s certainly shown flashes of a player that we have high expectations for and I’m excited to see what he continues to do there.”

Brandon Dorlus preparing for big senior season

Brandon Dorlus will be the first to admit that his performance during the 2022 season wasn’t up to his standards.

The Ducks’ two-time all-conference defensive end battled through nagging injuries last fall. He finished the year with 2.5 sacks and team-high 9.5 tackles for loss. But for a player who was hailed as “the alpha” of Oregon’s defense during fall camp, Dorlus wasn’t as productive from a pass-rushing standpoint as many expected him to be.

So, he put the NFL Draft on hold for one more year and opted to return to Eugene for his senior season.

Earlier this week, Lanning was asked what areas Dorlus has worked to improve this spring.

“Playing with better pad level and using his hands better consistently,” Lanning said. “I think he did a good job of assessing, ‘Okay, here’s what my film said last year, and here are the things that I can tweak to get there.’ So, some technical things that he’s been able to improve and then just his overall compete. There’s an expectation for him, and really all those guys that can play along the front for us, to play to a certain level.”

What will Oregon’s true freshmen bring to the table?

The Ducks are loaded with veteran depth along the defensive front. Aumavae, Dorlus, Casey Rogers, Taki Taimani, and Keyon Ware-Hudson are all going to be integral pieces of next season’s defense.

Additionally, sophomore Ben Roberts will push for playing time after a strong showing as a true freshman.

Because of the returning depth along the defensive line, it’s going to be difficult for any of Oregon’s ’23 signees to make an impact next fall. But the spring game will offer Duck fans their first glimpse at the program’s three DL early enrollees.

My’Keil Gardner, Johnny Bowens, and Tevita Pome’e will all put their talents on display Saturday at Autzen.

The post Three defensive line storylines to follow during Oregon’s 2023 spring game appeared first on On3.