Projecting Oregon Ducks' defensive depth chart ahead of Week 1

At long last, we've finally made it. College football season is here.

While a slate of Week 0 games took place over the weekend, Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks now officially enter their first game week of the season, preparing for the Montana State Bobcats to come to Eugene on August 30 and kick off the 2025 campaign.

We've spent weeks upon months preparing for this time to come, following the team throughout spring and fall camp and watching closely as the roster was molded. With just four returning starters from a year ago, the youth on this team has been the major story to follow, and trying to predict who will start where and which players will take over as impact players has been more difficult than usual.

That hasn't stopped us from trying, though. After spring ball and before fall camp, we projected what the depth chart looked like on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Now, with game week here, we have our best idea yet as to who will line up with the starters and who will get into the rotation throughout each contest.

Here is our prediction for the defensive side of the ball:

Defensive Tackle

• Starter: Bear Alexander
• Backup: Aydin Breland
• Other Names to Know: Tionne Gray

Analysis: I think Bear Alexander is still the starter at this position, but there are several guys who can rotate in, including Aydin Breland, Tionne Gray, and Terrance Green.

Nose Tackle

• Starter: A'Mauri Washington
• Backup: Terrance Green
• Other Names to Know: Jericho Johnson/Tionne Gray

Analysis: A'Mauri Washington seems to have established himself as the top guy in this position, and there are some impressive underclassmen behind him, with Terrance Green, Tionne Gray, and Jericho Johnson. I don't see anyone taking Washington's place at the top of the depth chart, though.

Defensive End

• Starter: Matayo Uiagalelei
• Backup: Elijah Rushing
• Other Names to Know: Ashton Porter

Analysis: This is Matayo Uiagalelei's spot, undoubtedly. Behind him, I think we will likely see a lot more of Elijah Rushing this year, who has put on a lot of weight and is up to 275, with coaches raving about his development. I also think that Ashton Porter could have a role to play here as well.

Jack Linebacker

• Starter: Teitum Tuioti
• Backup: Ashton Porter
• Other Names to Know: Blake Purchase/Nasir Wyatt

Analysis: Teitum Tuioti will undoubtedly be the starter here, but it will be interesting to see who slots in behind him, with freshman Nasir Wyatt garnering a lot of buzz in the fall.

Strong Side Linebacker

• Starter: Blake Purchase
• Backup: Ashton Porter
• Other Names to Know: Nasir Wyatt

Analysis: Blake Purchase had one of the best offseasons of anyone on the team, and Ashton Porter looked really solid as well. I think those are the two top names to know here. After them, true freshman Nasir Wyatt has been generating a lot of buzz among players early on as well.

Money Linebacker

• Starter: Jerry Mixon
• Backup: Devon Jackson
• Other Names to Know: Kamar Mothudi/Gavin Nix

Analysis: Devon Jackson would be the starter here, but I don't think he is fully healthy just yet, which will likley lead to Jerry Mixon getting the nod. Behind him, Brayden Platt was a highly rated recruit with a ton of upside and was just waiting for his opportunity.

MAC Linebacker

• Starter: Bryce Boettcher
• Backup: Jerry Mixon
• Other Names to Know: Dylan Williams/Kamar Mothudi

Analysis: Boettcher is a known commodity, and he will be the starter for the Ducks. Behind him, I think we will likely see Jerry Mixon, but Oregon has several young players who could step up into a bigger role.

Boundary Cornerback

• Starter: Ify Obidegwu
• Backup: Theran Johnson
• Other Names to Know: Sione Laulea/Na'eem Offord

Analysis: I think Ify Obidegwu has locked down this starting job, with Theran Johnson backing him up and others like Sione Laulea and Na'eem Offord getting in the mix as well.

Field Cornerback

• Starter: Jahlil Florence
• Backup: Sione Laulea
• Other Names to Know: Dorian Brew/Brandon Finney

Analysis: I still like Jahlil Florence to start here, but it could very well be Sione Laulea as well, who has been getting a lot of buzz in fall camp.

Boundary Safety

• Starter: Dillon Thieneman
• Backup: Aaron Flowers
• Other Names to Know: Kingston Lopa

Analysis: Dillon Thieneman is undoubtedly at the top here, and the Ducks have a lot of young players who could step in behind him as well.

Field Safety

• Starter: Aaron Flowers
• Backup: Peyton Woodyard
• Other Names to Know: Kingston Lopa

Analysis: I orginially projected that Kingston Lopa would get this starting job, but he's been dinged up in fall camp, and Aaron Flowers has stepped up in his place.

STAR/Nickel

• Starter: Daylen Austin
• Backup: Brandon Finney
• Other Names to Know: Na'eem Offord/Jadon Canady

Analysis: This is a fascinating position to watch. I think Daylen Austin gets the start right now, but it sounds like true freshmen Brandon Finney and Na'eem Offord are making a serious push for the starting position.

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon Ducks' defensive depth chart prediction for Week 1