08/28/17 Emerald Media - Duck Season Magazine

With new head coach Willie Taggart, Royce Freeman plans to finish his Oregon Career strong, after passing on the NFL draft.

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Football Preview | 2017

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Breakdown of Oregon’s S c h e d u le

Offensive Position Previews

The Return of Royce Freeman

Defensive Position Previews

Meet your Oregon Tight Ends EMG Magazine

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Oregon Football SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN The Oregon football team is under new leadership for the first time since the 2013-14 season with the hiring of Willie Taggart from South Florida. He brought new assistant coaches, which hasn’t been done at Oregon in decades. Here’s a look at the opponents the Ducks will face this season as they look to bounce back from their worst season since 1991.

BY ZAK LASTER

Sept. 2 vs. S. Utah 2016 (record: 6-5) New Oregon head coach Willie Taggart kicks off his tenure with the Oregon program in the season opener against the Thunderbirds of the Big Sky conference. Southern Utah returns eight starters on a defense that held the Utah Utes to just seven second half points in a 24-0 loss to open last season.

Sept. 9 vs. Nebraska (2016 record: 9-4) Nebraska Head Coach Mike Riley, formerly Oregon State’s head coach, returns to Autzen Stadium, a place where he hasn’t won since 2007. Last season, Oregon’s loss to the Cornhuskers was the first of five straight losses for Oregon. The Cornhuskers will start Tulane transfer Tanner Lee at quarterback behind an experienced offensive line.

Sept. 16 at Wyoming (2016 record: 8-6) The Cowboys are led by quarterback Josh Allen, who many mock drafts project being a top pick in the 2018 draft. Wyoming returns five offensive linemen who started seven games or more last season, so that will give Allen time to throw against Oregon’s secondary.

Sept. 23 at Arizona State (2016 record: 5-7) Last season, the Sun Devils were the one win for the Ducks in an eightgame stretch. Head coach Todd Graham enters the 2017 season on the hot seat for the Sun Devils. Last season Justin Herbert torched the Sun Devils, tying an Oregon all-time single game passing yards mark with 489 yards and four touchdowns.

Sept. 30 vs. California (2016 record: 5-7) First year head coach Justin Wilcox returns to Eugene, where he played safety and cornerback for the Ducks. Also returning is former Oregon assistant coach Steve Greatwood, an assistant for the Ducks for 30 years. Also returning is Jerry Azzinaro, who coached the defensive line at Oregon from 2009-2012 under former head coach Chip Kelly. Last season the Ducks lost 52-49 in double overtime.

Oct. 7 vs. Washington State (2016 record: 8-5) Under head coach Mike Leach, Washington State likes to pass all over the field, so this will be a big test for the secondary under new defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt. Last season the Cougars won 51-33 for their second win in a row over the Ducks.

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Oct. 14 at No. 14 Stanford (2016 record: 10-3) It’s a return to ‘The Farm’ for Oregon head coach Willie Taggart, who coached under then Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh from 2007-09. Last season the Ducks lost 52-27 after getting pummeled by Stanford’s running game. If Washington State is a secondary test, Stanford is a front-seven test.

Oct. 21 at UCLA (2016: 4-8) On the UCLA sidelines will be receivers coach Jimmie Dougherty, who was hired by Willie Taggart and the Ducks in late December. However, in late January, he was the passenger of a vehicle driven by former Oregon assistant coach David Reaves. On February 8, it was announced he was heading to the Bruins. The Oregon defense will need to figure out a way to stop quarterback Josh Rosen, another QB most project to be a first-round pick. The teams last played in 2014.

Oct. 28 vs. No. 25 Utah (2016: 9-4) Last season, the Ducks won in a shocking 30-28 win over the Utes, who came into the game ranked No. 11 in the nation.

The Ducks won on a late touchdown by Darren Carrington, who will be playing in this game for the Utes following his offseason arrest and dismissal from the Oregon program.

Nov. 4 at No. 7 Washington Huskies (2016: 12-2) Last season, the Huskies handed the Ducks a 49-point loss, their worst loss of the season. Washington will replace three defensive backs who are now in the NFL, but the Huskies enter the season as the Pac-12 North favorites after winning the conference title last year.

Nov. 18 vs. Arizona Wildcats (2016: 3-9) The Ducks and Wildcats last played in 2015, when they played twice, once in Eugene, and once in the Pac-12 Championship game. The Wildcats come into the season with question marks at quarterback, but have a quality running back in J.J. Taylor.

Nov. 25 vs. Oregon State Beavers (2016: 4-8) Oregon will be looking for payback following last year’s Civil War loss, the first for the Ducks since 2007. Suiting up for the Beavers will be former Oregon Duck, Thomas Tyner, who played two seasons in Eugene before having to medically redshirt.

The Oregon Ducks play the Arizona State Sun Devils at Autzen Stadium, Ore. on Saturday Oct. 29, 2016. (Adam Eberhardt) 6

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Offense Position Previews

BY EMERALD SPORTS DESK

Oregon’s offense will still be fast under new head coach Willie Taggart. The offense of 2016 still averaged 35.4 points per game despite the disastrous season. With many starters returning, it will be another explosive year for the Ducks.

Quarterback

The new coaching staff hasn’t officially declared sophomore Justin Herbert the starter, but there is little reason to believe they will go with someone else. Herbert looked good last season and spring practice, and also because there is a lack of other options. … Herbert is a solid starter, but if he gets injured, nobody behind him should be expected to play at his level. Burmeister looked far from starting quality in the spring game with his 3-of-7, one interception and four ‘sack’ performance.

Alie didn’t take any snaps during the spring game because he had transitioned to wide receiver, so he may convert back to quarterback.

QB: Justin Herbert, So., Taylor Alie, Sr., Braxton Burmeister, Fr.

Running Backs The 2017 unit is led by senior Royce Freeman who decided to put the NFL on hold and return for his senior season. … Behind Freeman on the depth chart, but still likely to see plenty of action is Tony Brooks-James who saw an increased workload last season once Freeman began struggling. Starting in place of Freeman against Colorado, Brooks-James ran 16 times for 120 yards and a touchdown. He had three games of over 100 yards rushing, and he scored three touchdowns against Nebraska while filling in for Freeman.

RB: Royce Freeman, Sr., Tony Brooks-James, Jr., Kani Benoit, Sr.

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Oregon Ducks wide receiver Charles Nelson (6) tries to make a catch while being covered by USC Trojans defensive back Iman Marshall (8) in game against the University of Southern California Trojans on Nov. 5, 2016. (Adam Eberhardt)

Receivers

A duo that is ready to fill the void at wide receiver is senior Charles Nelson and sophomore Dillon Mitchell. The unit’s depth chart will come out after fall camp, but one thing should be certain: look for Nelson and Mitchell to lead this group heading into the season opener. … The wide receiver group, with eight freshmen on the roster, will need young playmakers to step up and make an impression on the new coaching staff. Some names to watch are freshmen Darrian McNeal, and Jaylon Redd, as well as sophomores Alex Ofodile and Malik Lovette.

At tight end the Ducks will be starting from scratch after the loss of Pharaoh Brown, Johnny Mundt and Evan Baylis from last year’s team.

Jacob Breeland is the most experienced returner and will likely get the first look at the starting tight end spot. The sophomore played in 11 games last season and caught six passes for 123 yards, but never found the end zone. Behind Breeland, Cam McCormick is a redshirt freshman who could also make an impact this season.

WR: Alex Ofodile, So., Brenden Schooler, So., Johnny Johnson III, Fr.LG: Shane Lemieux, So.. Evan Voeller Sr. WR: Charles Nelson, Sr., Darrian McNeal, Fr. Daewood David, Fr. TE: Jacob Breeland, So., Ryan Bay, So., Cam McCormick, R-Fr. WR: Dillon Mitchell, So., Malik Lovette So., Jaylon Redd, Fr.

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Offensive line The offensive line returns five starters from last season. Cameron Hunt was the only starter to depart, but Tyrell Crosby suffered an injury early in the season, so sophomore Brady Aiello became a starter later as well. … One season of experience for an offensive line of redshirt freshman will go a long way in improving production. Chemistry is important on the offensive line, and with possibly five starters coming from the same class, it could be a huge positive for the Ducks.

“The emphasis is on being physical, being tough and making sure that the communication is perfect on every single play,” offensive line coach Mario Cristobal said. “I wouldn’t trade these guys for anybody.”

LT: Tyrell Crosby, Sr., Brady Aiello, So. LG: Shane Lemieux, So.. Evan Voeller Sr. C: Jake Hanson, So.. Doug Brenner, Sr. RG: Jake Pisarcik, Sr., Alex Forsyth, Fr. RT: Calvin Throckmorton, So., George Moore Jr.

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Freeman on the to redemp

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e road ption

BY ZAK LASTER Immediately following new Oregon football head coach Willie Taggart’s introductory press conference on December 8, one of his first player meetings as head coach was with his newly inherited star running back Royce Freeman. He wanted to either convince Freeman to stay for his final year at Oregon, or help him prepare for the NFL. After two successful seasons at Oregon, Freeman spent most of the 2016 season injured. His production, that Ducks fans had grown used to during his time at Oregon, decreased significantly. The football team finished last season with their worst record since the 1991 season.

So Freeman decided to return to Oregon, and he did it with one main goal in mind: to rid himself of the memory of the previous year.

“Finishing on a better note than I did last year was something that was a personal vendetta I had,” Freeman said. “Going out there and just trying to leave my best product out there with one year of eligibility left.”

Another factor was his desire to graduate, something he accomplished this summer.

With a change in coaching staff this offseason, Freeman, who can finish his career with the most rushing yards in school history, had to decide whether to come back and play for Taggart in his first year leading the Oregon.

Before Taggart departed for the Christmas holiday several weeks after being hired, he made a stop in Imperial, California, home of the Freeman family.

“He expressed to me his feelings of why he was leaning towards going to the NFL,” Taggart said. “I explained to him where I plan on taking our football program.”

Freeman and Taggart did not have a personal relationship yet, but Taggart had some people in mind who could help Freeman make his decision on whether or not to turn pro. But he also went to his home for a reason, and that was to pitch Freeman on his vision for Oregon

Oregon Ducks running back Royce Freeman (21) runs against the Arizona State Sun Devils on Oct. 29, 2016.

(Adam Eberhardt)

“I couldn’t go back across the country without seeing him again,” Taggart said. “I reiterated the things that we’re going to do, and when we’re walking to the car he was like, ‘Coach I’m coming back.’”

Freeman’s return for his senior season EMG Magazine

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Left: Oregon running back Royce Freeman (21) tries to get past a teammate during a goal line drill at an open practice on Saturday, April 8, 2017.

Right: Oregon Ducks running back Royce Freeman (21) carries the ball in the second half of game against the UC Davis Aggies on Sept. 3, 2016.

(Adam Eberhardt)

means he has an opportunity to cap off his career by becoming Oregon’s all-time leading rusher. He’s only 936 yards away from LaMichael James’ school record 5,082 yards.

“It’d be very special,” Freeman said. “It’d be an honor and something I’d relish for the rest of my career. But I’ve got to take it step by step. I can’t get too ahead of myself.”

If he’s going to break the record, he’ll need to get back to the type of numbers he was putting up in 2015 when he ran for 1,836 yards, 17 touchdowns.

Freeman was named a second team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America.

He also put up quality numbers in 2014 when he ran for 1,365 yards, 18 touchdowns and was the Pac12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year.

His junior season looked like he was going to pick up right where he left off. In Oregon’s second game of the season against Virginia, he ran 21 times for 207 yards and two touchdowns.

The next week in Lincoln, Nebraska, his season began to fall apart. He suffered a knee injury in the second quarter of the Ducks game against Nebraska.

It was a nagging injury that never went away throughout the season, constantly limiting his opportunities to be productive. After getting in the end zone 35 times in his first two years as a Duck, he recorded just nine touchdowns in 2016. He was held under 50 yards in five games, which included a season-low 10 yards on 15 rushing attempts in a

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52-49 double overtime loss to California.

Freeman has been putting in a lot of work in the offseason to get stronger as he recovered from his knee injury. He made headlines in July when a video appeared on Twitter of Freeman squatting 600 lbs.

“I mean when you get that high there’s no reason to just keep going, so I mean shoutout to Coach O and the strength staff,” Freeman said.

“They’re just keeping me healthy and just working on the little things so we make sure I can play a complete season.”

Part of the challenge of staying healthy for Freeman this year will be getting quality play from the offensive line to create spots for Freeman to find yardage. Freeman will have the benefit of an experienced offensive line this year, with five guys returning that saw playing time last year.

Center Jake Hanson is on the Rimington Trophy watch list, the award for the nation’s most outstanding center. Senior Tyrell Crosby, who was also injured in 2016, was named to the preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy, which goes to the nation’s top interior lineman.

An added wrinkle with this coaching staff is that Freeman is working with the offensive line this fall.

Since Freeman doesn’t work with special teams, he can spend more time working with the unit that will be blocking for him all season. He’s not only practicing with the offensive line, but sitting in on meetings with them as well.

FINISHING ON A BETTER NOTE THAN I DID LAST YEAR WAS A PERSONAL VENDETTA I HAD.” ROYCE FREEMAN “It’s something we’ve always done with our backs,” Taggart said. “We feel the running back is an extension of the offensive line. I think the more they understand the way the line is taught to do things, the better they can be as a running back with setting up blocks.

Pass protection is a key element of the position for running backs coach Donte Pimpleton, and something he’s stressed with not just Freeman but with all of his running backs.

“I don’t play when missing pass protection,” Pimpleton said. “Missing this and that will get the quarterback killed and knocked out of the game. We can’t have that. So, everywhere I go I’m real particular and we work mostly on pass protection more than anything.”

For Pimpleton, inheriting a talented back like Freeman for only one season can present some challenges in regards to how to coach him.

“He gets the technical stuff that he needs to do to be the lead back that he is and achieve his goals,” Pimpleton said. “Talent-wise he has it all. All the tools, he has it. It’s just tweaking and refining some of the things he needs to do fundamentally.”

Time will tell if Freeman’s decision to return was a wise one. As long as he stays healthy this season, he gets a chance to punctuate his time in Eugene by earning Oregon’s career rushing record, help his team try to rebound from a disappointing 2016 season and help kickstart the Taggart era of Oregon football.

Should Freeman do that, he’ll head off to the NFL as the most successful Duck running back in school history.

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Oregon linebacker Troy Dye (35) rushes around the University of California at Davis Aggies offensive line on Sep. 3, 2016. (Adam Eberhardt)

Defensive PREVIEW

BY EMERALD SPORTS DESK

Oregon’s defense was atrocious one year ago. They will better in 2017, partially because it is harder to be worse, but primarily thanks to an abundance of veteran players and new defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt. Leavitt overhauled Colorado’s defense into one of the best in the conference in two seasons, a big reason why the Buffaloes won the south division last season.

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Defensive Line True freshman Jordan Scott, at 333-pounds, will make an immediate impact at the nose tackle position. He ranked as the 117th best prospect in the state of Florida by 247sports.com. The defensive line will be anchored by senior Henry Mondeaux and junior Jalen Jelks at the end positions.

DE: Henry Mondeaux, Sr., Scott Pagano, Sr., Jordan Kurahara, Jr. NT: Jordon Scott, Fr., Gary Baker, So., Austin Faoliu, Fr. DE: Jalen Jelks, Jr., Elijah George Sr., Drayton Carlberg, So., Hunter Kampmoyer, R-Fr.

Linebackers Oregon’s linebackers could be one of their most improved units this season. Troy Dye leads a unit that is now experienced with guys like A.J. Hotchkins, Jonah Moi, La’Mar Winston Jr, Justin Hollins and Jimmie Swain. Hollins provides a steady pass rush along the edge, but he needs to work on stopping the run game. Winston and Swain are versatile defenders who, if they play well, can make this unit one of the best and deepest units in the conference.

OLB: La’Mar Winston Jr., So., Jimmie Swain, Sr. MLB: Troy Dye, So. Kaulana Apelu, Jr. MLB: A.J. Hotchkins, Sr. Fotu Leiato, Jr. OLB: Jonah Moi, Sr., Justin Hollins, Jr

Defensive Backs This season, the Ducks return a number of key veterans: Arrion Springs, Tyree Robinson, Ugo Amadi, and Khalil Oliver. The most notable new Ducks’ are Deommodore Lenoir and Thomas Graham Jr. Both are four-star recruits and expected to have an immediate impact on the field. After the spring game, Springs noted that the freshmen talent boosted the depth of the team, and that he expects them to contend for playing time. Leavitt looks to forge both sides of the secondary into a cohesive force. Leavitt has experience in remaking a defense; in his one season with Colorado, he took the team from 85th in the nation in total defense to 15th.

CB: Thomas Graham Fr., Ugo Amadi, Jr. S: Khalil Oliver, Sr., Juwaan Williams, Sr. S: Tyree Robinson, Sr., Brady Breeze, R-Fr. CB: Arrion Springs, Sr., Deommodore Lenoir, Fr.

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Oregon line backer Jimmie Swain (18) celebrates. (Adam Eberhardt)

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Tight

End

Preview B Y S H AW N M E D O W Oregon’s depth chart has not yet been released, but there are hints as to who will be the starters and backups in each position. One slot that is still up for grabs is tight end.

Jacob Breeland looks to be the first name on the Oregon depth chart at the tight end position, but there is uncertainty as to who will be behind him. The Ducks have numbers at tight end, but it remains difficult to tell who will be placed where on the initial depth chart for the 2017-18 season.

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Oregon tight end Jacob Breeland (27) catches a pass near the sideline against University of Colorado at Boulder Buffaloes on Sep. 24, 2016. (Adam Eberhardt)

“I’m really impressed with all our tight ends — from spring to now,” head coach Willie Taggart said. “And Breeland’s been out with a glove on his wrist like he’s getting ready to fight in that McGregor-Mayweather fight. But he hasn’t dropped the ball so we might let him use it all year long but he’s coming along big time.”

Last season, Breeland quickly became one of then-freshman quarterback Justin Herbert’s favorite

receivers. The two combined for a 63-yard catch late in Oregon’s game against Washington State, and the catch caused a spark.

“That was a big moment between me and Herbert, I guess,” Breeland said. “So that was fun, him throwing the ball to me then breaking free. It was awesome.” I wish I would have scored but it was fun.”

This offseason, Herbert and Breeland have been improving their relationship with one another.

“Jacob Breeland is a really good tight end,” Herbert said. “I’ve spent a lot of time with him. I think I know where he’s going and he knows where I’m going. So I think just the entire unit, he’s been a bonus.”

There are questions as to who will be behind Breeland in the tight end depth chart.

Cam McCormick, Ryan Bay and Matt Mariota are among the other tight ends who will compete for time on the field this season.

Oregon Ducks tight end Jacob Breeland (27) runs against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Ore. on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. (Adam Eberhardt)

“I’ve been really impressed with those guys,” Taggart said. “Are they where we need them to be? No, but they’re a lot better than what they were when we first started off. To be honest with you, I feel good about putting any one of those guys in a game and running our offense.”

Regardless of depth or talent, the importance of the position will not drop off from last season.

“I think it might be a little bit more,” Breeland said. “We’re having special plays for us like to come open for touchdowns and stuff.”

Part of Taggart’s offensive philosophy will include an emphasis on the ground game, making the tight end’s ability

to block very important.

“That’s one of the main things we’re going to do,” Breeland said. “[Taggart] said we’re going to run the ball a lot so be ready to block. And then obviously when we have chances, he’s going to throw us the ball as well.”

There is overall positivity coming from Oregon’s offensive players when they are asked about the upcoming season, and the tight ends are no different.

“If they’re going to use me a lot, then I’ll be there to do my best and catch the ball if I need to, block if I need to — do it all,” Breeland said.

Oregon’s tight ends have been a strong point in recent seasons, but this season, it’s all up in the air.

Oregon Ducks tight end Jacob Breeland (27) catches the ball before being pushed out of bounds by Utah Utes defensive back Chase Hansen (22).

(Adam Eberhardt)

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