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It's been a while since we gathered around the roundtable, but at long last, we are back to offer some opinions and predictions. The Oregon Ducks' annual spring game kicks off on Saturday afternoon at Autzen Stadium, and we will get a chance to see a whole host of new and old faces in Oregon uniforms, like Dante Moore, Dillon Thieneman, Dakorien Moore, and many others.
While the outcome of the game is largely unimportant, there are still many takeaways that we can derive from the game in general, giving us our first good look at what this roster looks like on the field. With so many players heading to the NFL this offseason, Oregon is left with several open starting positions to fill and a long list of talented young players ready to step into bigger roles.
To preview the game, we go through our weekly roundtable with the writers from Ducks Wire. Here’s our first roundtable of the year.
Question: A lot has changed since our last roundtable, and there are many new faces in Eugene. To start things off, let’s keep it simple: What has been your favorite storyline of the offseason for the Ducks?
Zachary Neel: I think, ultimately, what I am the most excited about this offseason is the newness of the team in general. With so many players leaving for the NFL this offseason, it paves the way for underclassmen and high-end recruits to take center stage and showcase their abilities. This year, more than any before, we will get to see Dan Lanning’s development at work and witness both how good of a talent evaluator and developer of talent he and his coaching staff can be. This isn’t another spring football season with known quantities at major positions; it’s a year that is filled with major questions but interesting answers across the board, and that makes my job a ton of fun.
Don Smalley: I'm really curious about this new offensive line. Pure talent-wise, it could be the best the Ducks have had since Lanning has been here. How quickly they gel could mean the difference between a playoff berth or not. I'm optimistic.
Question: There will be a new QB at the helm for Oregon this season, whether it’s Dante Moore or Austin Novosad. Which do you want to see more, and what do you want to see from them in the spring game?
Zachary Neel: With all due respect to Austin Novosad, I want to see Dante Moore. He has been billed as the next coming at Oregon, with current and former players predicting that he will be in New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony this December. I want to see what he can do after his growth and development from two years ago at UCLA. Oregon’s offense should look quite a bit different this year with whichever quarterback takes over, and I want to see what Moore can bring to the table.
Don Smalley: I want to see how much of the offense they truly grasp and the chemistry with the receivers. I also want to see how much Novosad is pushing Moore for the starting job.
Question: With Tez Johnson and Traeshon Holden gone, the WR room carries a ton of intrigue into the spring. I’m going to take true freshman Dakorien Moore off of the board to this answer because that is the obvious pick. Of the other remaining WRs, who was your eye on Saturday?
Zachary Neel: Man, there are almost too many guys to pick here. As far as potential day-one difference makers, I’m very curious to see what Florida State transfer Malik Benson can do and his role in this offense. He could earn a starting spot or be more of a role player; we don’t know yet. One guy who has shown flashes in limited snaps is redshirt freshman Jeremiah McClellan, who will have my eye on Saturday. As far as completely unknown players go, I can’t wait to see what the hype is about with true freshman Cooper Perry. He has been getting some rave reviews in camp so far, with some players comparing him to a young Cooper Kupp for his hands and catch-in-traffic ability. Let’s see it.
Don Smalley: I always like to see Evan Stewart play. He's going to have a huge season this year and turn himself into a first-round pick in 2026.
Question: Much like the WR room, Oregon’s secondary is wide-open, particularly at the cornerback spot. Which young guy or transfer are you most interested in watching on Saturday, and who do you think has the best performance?
Zachary Neel: The answer for me here is Ify Obidegwu. He was banged up last year as a true freshman but has been one of the most common names mentioned when talking about the defensive backfield this spring as someone who could instantly step into a starting spot. It will also be fun to watch the battle between Kingston Lopa and Peyton Woodyard at the safety spot, as well as the young 5-star freshmen like Na’eem Offord and Trey McNutt.
Don Smalley: I want to see Jahlil Florence back on the fields and see how well the transfers of Dillon Theineman and Theran Johnson play. From everything we've heard, they are the real deal.
Question: Who do you think will win the Duck Wire Spring Game MVP?
Zachary Neel: I think the favorite to win the MVP will be true freshman WR Dakorien Moore since he has a ton of hype, and the Ducks will likely want to show him off and display to recruits in the stands what is possible in their first year with the team should they pick Oregon. If I had to pick a dark horse candidate, though, I would say Da’Jaun Riggs. I think he has the talent necessary to explode when given the opportunity, but he is also low enough on the depth chart to get a lot of action in the spring game.
Don Smalley: Although I think Novosad is definitely pushing him, I think Moore is going to have a great day and solidify his spot at QB1 and put a lot of fears to rest.
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon Football: Roundtable predictions for Ducks spring game
Continue reading...
While the outcome of the game is largely unimportant, there are still many takeaways that we can derive from the game in general, giving us our first good look at what this roster looks like on the field. With so many players heading to the NFL this offseason, Oregon is left with several open starting positions to fill and a long list of talented young players ready to step into bigger roles.
To preview the game, we go through our weekly roundtable with the writers from Ducks Wire. Here’s our first roundtable of the year.
Offseason Storylines
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Question: A lot has changed since our last roundtable, and there are many new faces in Eugene. To start things off, let’s keep it simple: What has been your favorite storyline of the offseason for the Ducks?
Zachary Neel: I think, ultimately, what I am the most excited about this offseason is the newness of the team in general. With so many players leaving for the NFL this offseason, it paves the way for underclassmen and high-end recruits to take center stage and showcase their abilities. This year, more than any before, we will get to see Dan Lanning’s development at work and witness both how good of a talent evaluator and developer of talent he and his coaching staff can be. This isn’t another spring football season with known quantities at major positions; it’s a year that is filled with major questions but interesting answers across the board, and that makes my job a ton of fun.
Don Smalley: I'm really curious about this new offensive line. Pure talent-wise, it could be the best the Ducks have had since Lanning has been here. How quickly they gel could mean the difference between a playoff berth or not. I'm optimistic.
Quarterback Intrigue
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Question: There will be a new QB at the helm for Oregon this season, whether it’s Dante Moore or Austin Novosad. Which do you want to see more, and what do you want to see from them in the spring game?
Zachary Neel: With all due respect to Austin Novosad, I want to see Dante Moore. He has been billed as the next coming at Oregon, with current and former players predicting that he will be in New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony this December. I want to see what he can do after his growth and development from two years ago at UCLA. Oregon’s offense should look quite a bit different this year with whichever quarterback takes over, and I want to see what Moore can bring to the table.
Don Smalley: I want to see how much of the offense they truly grasp and the chemistry with the receivers. I also want to see how much Novosad is pushing Moore for the starting job.
Wide Receiver Intrigue
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Question: With Tez Johnson and Traeshon Holden gone, the WR room carries a ton of intrigue into the spring. I’m going to take true freshman Dakorien Moore off of the board to this answer because that is the obvious pick. Of the other remaining WRs, who was your eye on Saturday?
Zachary Neel: Man, there are almost too many guys to pick here. As far as potential day-one difference makers, I’m very curious to see what Florida State transfer Malik Benson can do and his role in this offense. He could earn a starting spot or be more of a role player; we don’t know yet. One guy who has shown flashes in limited snaps is redshirt freshman Jeremiah McClellan, who will have my eye on Saturday. As far as completely unknown players go, I can’t wait to see what the hype is about with true freshman Cooper Perry. He has been getting some rave reviews in camp so far, with some players comparing him to a young Cooper Kupp for his hands and catch-in-traffic ability. Let’s see it.
Don Smalley: I always like to see Evan Stewart play. He's going to have a huge season this year and turn himself into a first-round pick in 2026.
Secondary Intrigue
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Question: Much like the WR room, Oregon’s secondary is wide-open, particularly at the cornerback spot. Which young guy or transfer are you most interested in watching on Saturday, and who do you think has the best performance?
Zachary Neel: The answer for me here is Ify Obidegwu. He was banged up last year as a true freshman but has been one of the most common names mentioned when talking about the defensive backfield this spring as someone who could instantly step into a starting spot. It will also be fun to watch the battle between Kingston Lopa and Peyton Woodyard at the safety spot, as well as the young 5-star freshmen like Na’eem Offord and Trey McNutt.
Don Smalley: I want to see Jahlil Florence back on the fields and see how well the transfers of Dillon Theineman and Theran Johnson play. From everything we've heard, they are the real deal.
Ducks Wire MVP Prediction
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Question: Who do you think will win the Duck Wire Spring Game MVP?
Zachary Neel: I think the favorite to win the MVP will be true freshman WR Dakorien Moore since he has a ton of hype, and the Ducks will likely want to show him off and display to recruits in the stands what is possible in their first year with the team should they pick Oregon. If I had to pick a dark horse candidate, though, I would say Da’Jaun Riggs. I think he has the talent necessary to explode when given the opportunity, but he is also low enough on the depth chart to get a lot of action in the spring game.
Don Smalley: Although I think Novosad is definitely pushing him, I think Moore is going to have a great day and solidify his spot at QB1 and put a lot of fears to rest.
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon Football: Roundtable predictions for Ducks spring game
Continue reading...
