4-21-22 Emerald Media - Gameday by Emerald Media Group

GAMEDAY 4.21.22

LOCKDOWN Whether it’s on the football field, in the film room or in the kitchen, Christian Gonzalez is reliable.

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GAMEDAY

GAMEDAY, the Emerald’s football edition, is published by Emerald Media Group, Inc., the independent nonprofit news company at the University of Oregon founded in 1900. EMERALD MEDIA GROUP 1395 University St., #302, Eugene, OR 97403 541.346.5511 | dailyemerald.com

NEWSROOM

Editor in Chief Sarah-Mae McCullough Managing Editor Jael Calloway Copy Chief Amanda Lurey Sports Editors Shane Hoffmann Charles Gearing Mojo Hill Reporters Shane Hoffmann Aaron Heisen Jacob Hamre Gabriel Marvin Charles Gearing Photo Editor Ian Enger Design Editor Kira Chan

BUSINESS

President & Publisher Bill Kunerth x317 Vice President, Operations Kathy Carbone x302 Creative Director Sam Rudkin x327

ADVERTISING

Director of Sales and Digital Marketing Shelly Rondestvedt x303 Student Sales Manager Patrick McCumber Account Executives Amy Menendez Keaton Roberts Melanie Lopez Riley Valle Kevin Sullivan

ON THE COVER

Christian Gonzalez. (Courtesy of Scott Boldt and Duck’s Digest)

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OREGON OFFENSE

Handel’s Ice Cream 47554

Dont’e Thornton No. 2 WR-X SO Troy Franklin No. 11 WR-Z SO Kris Hutson No. 1 WR-H SO T.J. Bass No. 56 LT SR/TR Ryan Walk No. 53 LG RS SR Alex Forsyth

No. 78

RS SR

Steven Jones

No. 74

RS JR

Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu No. 71

RS SR/TR

Terrance Ferguson

No. 3

Bo Nix No. 10 QB JR/TR

VOTE FOR US FOR BEST GRAD SCHOOL

Byron Cardwell No. 21 RB SO

DEFENSE

Brandon Dorlus No. 3 DE JR Popo Aumavae

No. 50

RS SR

Keyon Ware-Hudson

No. 95

RS SO

Bradyn Swinson

No. 44

OLB

RS FR

Justin Flowe

No. 10

WILL

RS FR

Noah Sewell No. 1 MIKE SO Mase Funa No. 18 OLB JR Trikweze Bridges

No. 11

BCB

RS SO

Steve Stephens IV

No. 7

RS JR

Bryan Addison

No. 13

RS JR

Christian Gonzalez

No. 00

FCB

SO/TR

Bennett Williams

No. 15 STAR SR/TR

SPECIAL TEAMS Tom Snee

No. 38

PT/H

RS JR

Camden Lewis No. 49 PK/KO JR Karsten Battles No. 45 LS/KR SR

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GAMEDAY

A SUITCASE FULL OF

Bo Nix. (Courtesy of Scott Boldt and Duck’s Digest)

WISDOM Bo Nix brings years of experience to a young and receptive quarterback group. BY: Charles Gearing @GearingCharlie

When former Auburn quarterback Bo Nix announced his transfer decision in December 2021, it came as a surprise. A born and bred product of the southeast, it was natural to assume he’d stay close to his roots, or even remain in the southeast conference. But instead, he’d move nearly 3,000 miles away from his former school and family, to join an Oregon offense that many felt already had its guy under center. By the end of last season, Ducks fans had grown more than comfortable with former 5-star recruit Ty Thompson taking the reins in 2022. Nix’s commitment ignited an offseason quarterback competition for the third straight season. “Ty [Thompson], Jay [Butterfield] and Bo, all of them are in that competition,” Oregon offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham said. “We rotate who they throw to every single day.” Whether or not Nix emerges as Oregon’s starting quarterback come Sept. 3 in Athens, Georgia, remains to be seen. But regardless of the ongoing and untelling competition, Nix possesses traits unlike his positional cohorts in-game college experience and a suitcase full of wisdom. He’s quarterbacked under four different offensive regimes and three different head coaches, playing in 34 games along the way. “I’ve grown and matured a lot. I have a lot of experience. I’ve played in a lot of games, seen a lot of defenses and been around a lot of different teammates,” Nix said. “I’ve adapted to change over time, and I’ve started to really embrace the challenges where I’m at right now.” Nix started in all but three games in his three seasons at Auburn. Last season, he threw for 2,294 yards and 11 touchdowns. His three interceptions in 2021 was tied for the third best in the nation. In his first season at Auburn in 2019, he played under Dillingham, who recently took over offensive play calling duties for Oregon’s new-look coaching staff. “It’s awesome. He’s competitive. He loves to learn. He loves football. It’s great for guys to get around somebody that has that experience,” Dillingham said of Nix. Dillingham has experienced first hand the value of bringing in experience to

accompany young quarterback talent. He did so last season at Florida State, bringing in junior Louisville transfer Jordan Travis to join two underclassmen at the position. “That guy raised the level of play for everyone in the room,” Dillingham said of Travis. Embedded in a group of less experienced quarterbacks, Nix is making the most of an opportunity to impart knowledge on the younger guys. “I’m just excited to be around this group, around these quarterbacks, they’ve been great,” Nix said. “I can’t ask for a better situation.” Even as they compete, Nix’s new teammates have an appreciation for what he brings to the table, especially the intangibles. “I really like Bo, he’s been a blessing to me these past couple months, and I’m very grateful for everything he’s done, especially for this team, and for myself,” Thompson said. “I mean, everyone likes to pin the quarterbacks against each other, especially when we’re competing, but it will never be like that with Bo.” His long, winding college career has given him an arsenal of leadership skills, many of which he’s applied from the moment he touched down in Eugene. His teammates and fellow quarterbacks have taken note. At morning practices, it’s common to see Thompson and Nix huddled together after trading rep for rep in drills, talking the X’s and O’s. “Whether it’s I’m running by him, ‘Hey, did you see what the safety did there? Was my decision right?’ or it’s ‘Did you see the mike blitz?’ or whatever happened. We just ask what each other saw and what we would’ve done,” Thompson said. As the quarterback competition continues on through the spring and summer, Nix will continue to lead and share knowledge with his fellow quarterbacks and teammates. While the starter will arise eventually, Nix has proven his worth to the unit no matter his position on the depth chart. “I see guys who are helping each other,” Dillingham said. “That’s what you want. I’ve always been a part of quarterback rooms that truly care for each other, and that’s how you raise the level of play. Our goal is not who is the guy who takes the first snap. Our goal is how we can all become the best players we can possibly be.”

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DEFENSIVE DOPPLEGANGERS:

COMPARING MEMBERS OF THE GEORGIA AND OREGON DEFENSES BY: Shane Hoffmann @shane_hoffmann

While the schemes won’t completely mirror each other, there are some early similarities between Oregon’s defense and Georgia’s National Championship defense.

Dan Lanning picked up significant steam late in the hiring process for Oregon’s new head coach due to the defensive masterclass he put on at Georgia. Last season, he helped the unit ascend into the nation’s best. And while an immediate duplication of Dan Lanning’s Georgia defense is out of the question for Oregon this season, the hope is that with time, and continued success on the recruiting trail, the Ducks can reach similar heights during Lanning’s tenure in Eugene. The Ducks’ defense will bear similarities to the Bulldogs’. And there will be schematic nuances largely based on personnel differences, but a host of Ducks defenders could be poised to play vital roles that mirror components of Lanning’s 2021-22 Georgia defense. Below are several of the biggest difference makers from Georgia’s National Championship winning defense. Accompanying each is the Duck that most closely resembles them, taking into account factors such as physical profile, position and playstyle. Note: Not every starting defender is mentioned. For some players, there simply wasn’t a direct correlation (see: 6-foot-6 defensive tackle Jordan Davis). The same is true on the Oregon side. The Bulldogs’ defense didn’t have a singularly dominant linebacker the way the Ducks did with Noah Sewell. Cornerbacks: Kelee Ringo (Georgia) — Christian Gonzalez (Oregon)

Oregon Football holds its first official practice of spring ball on March 12, 2022. The Oregon Football team hosts its annual Spring Game this Saturday, April 23 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. (Serei Hendrie/ Emerald) PA G E 6

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Ringo won’t be going pro until next season, but his measurables (6-foot-2, 205-pounds) and plays on the big stage

— like his game-sealing interception in the national championship — have him on a fast track to a Day 1 selection. Both Ringo and Gonzalez (6-foot-2, 200-pounds) — who transferred to Oregon from Colorado — possess above average height for cornerbacks. The size and length is critical in downfield coverage situations, but shows up on the stat sheet in the form of run defense, as well. “It’s very important to shoot for corners being able to tackle,” cornerbacks coach Demetrice Martin said. “[Gonzalez] has a knack for diagnosing plays that are happening behind the ball because of a lot of those things. His tackles for losses weren’t always pressures. They weren’t always corner pressures. It was things were such where we were up defenders and he had the opportunity to pull the trigger and he did.” With 5.5 tackles for loss, Gonzalez led the Pac-12 and ranked fourth nationally in tackles for loss among true cornerbacks. Safeties: Lewis Cine — Bennett Williams Cine is shooting up draft boards because of his run-stopping ability and thumping hits. His skillset as a sound tackler and intimidator on the backend naturally lends itself to a role as a box safety. “He plays with an urgent, downhill approach, which leads to memorable collisions, but he’s not always under control in getting there,” NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein wrote of Cine. “He doesn’t have desired mass and stopping power for his style of play, but the work gets done.” Before an early season injury sidelined

GAMEDAY Bennett Williams for the remainder of the regular season, he was in the midst of a breakout year at the same position. While his three interceptions in four games was the headline, Williams notably improved as a tackler. A move to field safety isn’t out of the question, but given his talent, Williams will likely recapture his starting role around the line of scrimmage. Off-ball linebackers: Nakobe Dean — Jeffrey Bassa While some analysts consider Dean undersized for a linebacker at 6-foot, it hasn’t stopped him from becoming into one of the class’ elite playmakers. Dean’s sideline-tosideline range and coverage chops make him a difference-making three-down linebacker. The jumbo linebacking duo of Sewell and Justin Flowe have captured fans’ imaginations, as the pair have appeared in just two games together through in as many seasons. It’s Bassa, the former safety, who most resembles Dean. Like Dean, Bassa still has room to improve as a tackler in the box, but by no means did he get pushed around in his first season at the position. “He’s explosive,” defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi said. “I think as he adapts to the defense, the versatility of the defense. We’re doing a lot of different things that they were doing in the past. You can see a guy that as he processes and starts to diagnose his play, [he] starts to improve, and that’s a really cool thing to see.” Despite rumblings of a potential return to the defensive backfield, the staff confirmed Bassa will remain at linebacker for the foreseeable future. Inside linebackers: Channing Tindall — Justin Flowe If Flowe can 1. Get, and stay healthy and 2. Live up to his recruiting resume, this may end up being an offensive comparison for him. Flowe recorded 14 tackles in his sole game as an active member of the Ducks’ defense. At times, Tindall struggled in coverage — the same area where Flowe will need to take leaps if he hopes to be a Day 1 or Day 2 NFL

Draft prospect. Not dissimilar to Flowe, however, Tindall was known for his excellent pursuit speed and tackling talent. Elite speed at all three levels was a leading factor in Georgia’s success last season. With Bassa and Flowe, not to mention Sewell’s downhill style, the Ducks linebackers have the talent to replicate the success that Georgia found in the middle of the field. Edge rushers: Nolan Smith — Bradyn Swinson Both Smith and Swinson are 6-foot-4 and under 240-pounds, and despite their slight builds compared to an average edge rusher, each has managed to become a disruptor early in their careers. Smith was a do-it-all rusher alongside Travon Walker for the Bulldogs. He finished the season with 31 solo tackles, 3.5 sacks, three force fumbles and an interception. In nine games for the Ducks, Swinson compiled 14 tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble while playing a larger role than expected after Kayvon Thibodeaux sustained an early-season injury. “I think Bradyn is the next guy up now,” former Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux said. “He’s primed, and I know he’s going to get bigger, get stronger and get faster. I’m excited to see what he does in the future too.” In Thibodeaux’s wake, Swinson is a leading candidate to become Oregon’s ace off the edge.

“Wyatt is made for movement and disruptions.” It sounds similar to the 6-foot-3 Dorlus, who now finds himself as the tried and true figurehead of the Ducks’ defensive line. Defensive ends: Travon Walker — DJ Johnson This one’s a bit of a stretch. Walker is slated to go in the top five of the NFL Draft by a host of analysts. Meanwhile, Johnson hasn’t played a full season at edge rusher in two years. Johnson transferred to Oregon from Miami as an edge rusher but played sparingly and moved to tight end in the 2020 season. Last season, injuries forced him back to the defensive side of the ball as a part-time edge rusher. Now, with a stacked tight end room, Johnson is poised for a full season back at his

natural position. The comparison here is almost entirely built off frame. Walker is 6-foot-5, 275-pounds and Johnson is 6-foot-4, 273-pounds. No other Ducks’ rotational rusher comes close to matching that height/weight combination. If there’s one knock on the rapidlyrising Walker, it’s that his production to this point has been largely reliant on his athleticism. His natural skillset as a pass-rusher is still coming along. “[Walker] won’t be considered a skilled or threatening rusher from any alignment but can plow his way forward to find occasional success,” Zierlein wrote. Oregon’s front projects as an excellent run-stopping group; however, finding pass-rush production remains a question. Here’s hoping Johnson still has some juice left in him as a pass-rusher.

Defensive tackles: Devonte Wyatt — Brandon Dorlus Dorlus’ brilliance was lost amidst the stat sheet last season. He was the glue that held Oregon’s frontline together. He played inside when needed –– and even kicked outside for stretches as the team dealt with the absence of Thibodeaux. His counting stats were run of the mill, but a deeper look shows that Dorlus was one of the nation’s most effective pass-rushers based on the number of pressures forced. Zierlein described Wyatt as a “highly active defensive tackle with decent strength,” and said,

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CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ embraced his gift and

shared it with the world Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez was blessed with uncanny qualities. Throughout his journey, he’s shared his gift with each person who has believed in him. BY: Aaron Heisen @aaron_heisen Ray Buckley knew something was different. Quite honestly, he’d never seen anything like it. A five-year-old correctly faking a handoff and carrying an in-depth understanding of the spread offense? Instead of reading comic books, Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez indulged in playbooks. Gonzalez drew Buckley’s attention at the Carrollton Youth Football League tryouts. Following the try-outs, Buckley made an adamant pitch to his assistant coaches that Gonzalez needed to be part of his team. When the draft came around, he swooped him up immediately. It was at that point when Gonzalez’s God-given talent was first noticed on the football field. God-given talent, however, can only take someone so far. “When that alarm goes off at five in the morning, what sets Christian Gonzalez apart from others, is that Christian gets up and gets it done, and some of the others don’t,” his high school coach Rudy Rangel said. In order to maximize his blessing and separate himself from his peers, Gonzalez has dedicated endless hours to football and the individuals that he loves and cares for. In high school, he seamlessly shifted between outside cornerback, wildcat quarterback and, at times, punter. He kept Buckley as his coach from the age of 5 through junior high school and the two maintain their relationship to this day. When he is home in Texas, he spends hours in the film room exchanging knowledge with coach Rangel. At the collegiate level, he has played for one positional coach. A man Gonzalez refers to as his “uncle” — Oregon cornerbacks coach Demetrice Martin — who Gonzalez rejoined when he transferred from Colorado to Oregon. Gonzalez spends his free time locked in the film room, studying the game. He’s prioritized growing connections with his new teammates, mostly

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through the food that he cooks for them. He finds time to keep up with his older sisters Samantha and Melissa, following their professional track races. Through all his growth as a player and a person, Gonzalez has remained humble. He’s a young man of few words. He’s soft-spoken, low-key and reserved around people he hasn’t known for a long time. That aspect of his personality is clear when he’s answering questions from the media about Oregon’s defensive schemes or his recent transition from Boulder, Colorado, to Eugene, Oregon. He’s not one to provide a long-winded soliloquy. His brief responses, however, are not for lack of intelligence or awareness. “[Gonzalez] is an incredible player, and he’s going to be really good at the outside corner for us this year,” Oregon safety Bennett Williams said. “He’s not going to be a ‘rah-rah’ guy. He’s not out there super talkative. He’s kind of like a silent assassin.” When Gonzalez featured at quarterback in high school, he wasn’t shy of the endzone. Each time he reached paydirt, he acted as if he had been there before. Rather than performing a celebration like most players, Gonzalez handed the ball to the referee without hesitation. That subtle demeanor is fitting for his position. At times, outside cornerback can be a thankless occupation. Pac-12 football is often publicized by its slew of offensive highlights. An outside cornerback’s job is to prevent those plays. When Gonzalez sets foot on the field, however, he demands the attention of football fans. When The Colony took on Lone Star high school in his senior season, all eyes were on Gonzalez’s matchup with receiver Marvin Mims. Mims recorded 32 receptions for 705 yards and five touchdowns in his sophomore season at the University of Oklahoma. He was recently placed on the Hornung Award watchlist by Sports Illustrated in anticipation of a breakout junior campaign.

However, when he lined up opposite Gonzalez in high school, he was held to just two catches. “It’s fun to watch teams completely cross off a side of the field because of one human being,” Rangel said. “You could put Christian Gonzalez on the very best receiver at the University of … and that’s what you’re going to watch.” Gonzalez’s ability to take out the opposing team’s top pass catcher will be a luxury for this Ducks defense. It allows the other 10 guys on the field to hyperfocus on their individual tasks knowing a significant passing play will seldom go Gonzalez’s way. In large part due to his 6-foot-2, 201-pound frame, Gonzalez has the versatility to stick with downfield routes but also break up plays before they even start. He led all true cornerbacks in the nation with 5.5 tackles for loss last season. “[Gonzalez] has a knack for diagnosing plays that are happening behind the ball,” coach Martin said. “His tackles for losses weren’t always pressures… It was things where we were up defenders and he had the opportunity to pull the trigger and he did.” Gonzalez’s teammates can consistently rely on his God-given talent to help affect a football game in a number of ways. Off the field, though, they benefit from his kitchen savvy. Oregon defensive back Trikweze Bridges raved about the “cajun shrimp pasta” Gonzalez cooked for him and a few other members of the secondary. “He has that [pasta] in his bag,” Bridges said. Gonzalez loves to experiment with cooking and add more recipes to that “bag.” He shares his favorite meals with his family through pictures. A few of his top meals include salmon, Asian-style lettuce wraps, pasta and brownies, according to his mom, Temple. “The men in our family are masters in the kitchen,” Temple said. Through just 14 practices, Gonzalez’s connections with his teammates have blossomed. Apart from his cooking, Gonzalez acts as a mentor on the field. Unlike his positional cohorts, the coverage

GAMEDAY Christian Gonzalez. (Courtesy of Scott Boldt and Duck’s Digest)

schemes are nothing new to Gonzalez. Neither is the positional coach — Demetrice Martin. Before transferring to Oregon, Gonzalez chose to attend the University of Colorado for two reasons: It was one of the first schools that believed in him, and he would learn from Coach Martin. Now, the two have joined forces in Eugene. “[Christian’s] able to be a big brother to the guys in the squad,” Martin said. “It’s a good cop bad cop type of thing. He can be the good cop, and I can be the bad cop because he’s been with me for two years. He knows my moods; he knows how I teach, so he’s able to lead and incorporate that with the other guys.” Gonzalez cherishes the relationships with his past coaches as well. After impressing coach Ray Buckley at the youth football tryouts, Gonzalez trained under his watch for seven years. He became teammates with Buckley’s kids. When he returns to Texas, Gonzalez frequently hangs out at the Buckley household. Buckley took a step back from being his coach once Gonzalez reached high school. Gonzalez enrolled at The Colony in his junior year where coach Rudy Rangel placed him at the outside corner. Little did Rangel know, Gonzalez had the ability to play both sides of the ball at a high level. That quickly became clear to the coach. “The staff was calling [to put him at wildcat quarterback],” Rangel said. “I’m thinking, ‘Guys just hang tight; we’re moving the ball.’ He took his first snap on offense and scored. I’m sitting there going, ‘Is he running or not?’”

Christian Gonzalez. (Courtesy of Scott Boldt and Duck’s Digest)

Gonzalez left opposing players in the dust. Still, Rangel often questioned his top speed. He has a silky running style that appears to onlookers as an effortless prance. In the same game where Gonzalez contained Mims, he lined up behind the long-snapper as the punter and “averaged 40 yards a punt,” Rangel said. His capability in all aspects of football made it near impossible for Rangel to take him off the field. To many, Gonzalez’s command of all these activities may seem like a fluke. It’s not. Those God-given traits run through the veins of the entire Gonzalez family. His dad, Hector, stands at 6-foot-9 and played collegiate basketball at the University of Texas at El Paso before pursuing a semi-professional career in Colombia. His sister Melissa is an Olympic sprinter for the Colombian National Team, and she’s married to Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough. His sister Samantha ran track for four seasons at the University of Miami and set a past-NCAA record in the 400-meter hurdles. His youngest sister Lily might be the fastest fourth-grader in the country, according to Rangel. His mother, Temple, is the non-athlete of the group. However, she’s dedicated countless hours in the classroom as a teacher. She’s raised four successful children and juggled commuting each one to their respective practices and events. Through all their individual achievements, the Gonzalez clan makes sure to stay in touch and

celebrate as one. “What sticks out is just the support that his family has for [Gonzalez] and his sisters,” Rangel said. “When he’s here in [Texas], he’s taking his little sister to track practice. They are just a really downto-earth family.” Temple recalled that her son’s first word was “ball.” It was at that moment in Gonzalez’s development that Temple began to believe her son was blessed with a gift. She wasn’t surprised because she had seen similar characteristics in his two older sisters. Gonzalez affirmed his mom’s notion throughout his young football career. It was present when he impressed coach Buckley with his in-depth knowledge of the spread offense at the age of five. It was present in his effortless changeover between defense, offense and special teams at The Colony High School. And It was present in the recognition he gained from shutting down Marvin Mims. Beyond the white lines of the gridiron, Gonzalez’s affection remains everlasting. In the food that he cooks for himself and his teammates and in the relationships, he’s built and maintained. “He’s got God-given talent, but because of his hard work and work ethic, his God-given talent has been used to the absolute most,” Rangel said. Christian Gonzalez, the human, has never wavered from the level-headed, gentle young man, who works his butt off for everything he’s ever earned and for the people that he embraces the most.

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OREGON’S

REPRESENTATIVES

AT THE 2022 NFL DRAFT With the NFL Draft less than a month away, these Ducks have the best odds of hearing their names called. BY: Jacob Hamre

Above: CJ Verdell (7) tries to evade Stony Brook defenders. The Oregon Ducks defeated the Stony Brook Seawolves 48-7 on Saturday night, Sept. 17, at Autzen Stadium. (Will Geschke/Emerald) Below: Ducks cornerback Mykael Wright (2) awaits a call from the referee after a play. The Oregon Ducks host Fresno State on Sept. 4, 2021, for game one of the 2021 season. (Ian Enger/Emerald)

Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) collides with a player from Arizona. The Oregon Ducks crush the Arizona Wildcats 41-19 in game four of the 2021 season. (Ian Enger/Emerald)

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GAMEDAY

The NFL draft starts on April 28, and like most years, a handful of Ducks are hoping to hear their names called. Since 2000, there has only been one year (2017) where there wasn’t an Oregon player selected in the seven rounds of the draft. The 2022 draft will inevitably continue the trend with a handful of Ducks ready to test the waters. Here’s a preview of the Ducks players that could be drafted this April. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Defensive End Since 2013, seven Ducks have been selected within the first 32 players and the trend looks to continue with Thibodeaux, the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. During his time in Eugene, coach Mario Cristobal dominated the recruiting realm. Not only was Thibodeaux the best player in the Ducks’ 2019 recruiting class, but he was also the highest-rated recruit in Oregon history. He played in 13 games over his first season in the green and yellow, tallying nine sacks — his highest season total. A handful of injuries to go along with a COVID-19-shortened 2020 campaign diminished his stats, but he still put up respectable numbers, totaling 19 sacks over three seasons. Thibodeaux is projected to crack the top five, where a reunion with former Duck Penei Sewell in Detroit is a likely outcome. Mykael Wright, Cornerback Behind Thibodeaux, Wright was the second-highest recruit in his class. He joins Thibodeaux, foregoing his senior season in hopes to be the third Oregon cornerback to be selected in the past two drafts. Wright was a highly touted 4-star recruit out of Lancaster, California, who earned his playtime while competing with veterans Deommodore Lenoir and Thomas Graham Jr. In 2021, Wright was the leader in that position group. He only tallied two interceptions in his three-year career but added 17 pass breakups, while being a consistent force in the return game. Wright accounted for 35 kickoff returns, two of which were run back for touchdowns. His speed was showcased at the combine where he ran a 4.53 40-yard dash. In a mock draft by CBS Sports, Wright is projected to land in the fourth round, which would surpass Lenoir and Graham, who were selected in the fifth and sixth round, respectively. Verone McKinley III, Safety McKinley III embodied the “ballhawk” role during his time at Oregon as he led the nation with six interceptions in 2021. He was every bit of his listed 5-foot-11 frame and made sure to never let teams underestimate his size. Coming in as a 3-star recruit in the 2018 class, he saw little to no action. His second season is where he finally got his opportunity and never looked back. A four-interception 2019 campaign was surprisingly outdone by the sixinterception 2021 season. He decided not to play out his final year of eligibility in favor of going pro. Oregon secondary and the NFL have been in a consistent relationship over the past few seasons. Players like Jevon Holland, Ugo Amadi, Brady Breeze, Lenoir and Graham Jr. have made it to the league in recent years. Comparing the stats of those former Ducks to McKinley’s may give him the slight edge. He is projected to go anywhere from rounds 4-6 and could easily hear his name called before Wright. Do-it-all safeties are always a necessity in the NFL,

and McKinley will have a clear shot to replicate his collegiate success wherever he ends up. CJ Verdell, Running Back If one were to assess Verdell’s draft stock right after the Ohio State game, he would have been a clear choice to fall in the middle rounds. After dealing with a season-ending injury against Stanford, Verdell saw his draft stock fall. But even without playing for a majority of the season, his résumé is stacked with accomplishments. His freshman season, arguably his best, helped him burst onto the scene. The 2017 season was the final year in Eugene for eventual NFL player Royce Freeman. With massive shoes to fill, Verdell showed no signs of weakness. He put up a career-high 10 rushing touchdowns and over 1,000 yards. He followed that up with another 1,000+ yard year while eventually finishing with the sixth-most rushing yards in Oregon history. From scoring the walk-off touchdown in his freshman campaign to upsetting the higher-ranked Washington Huskies at home to helping dismantle the powerhouse Ohio State Buckeyes last season, Verdell became legendary during his time at Oregon. He was half of the star running back duo who resided in Eugene over the past four years, sharing the ball with now USC running back Travis Dye. It is still unclear if his name will be called during draft weekend, but a spot on an NFL roster is more than expected for him despite his injury history. Johnny Johnson III, Jaylon Redd, Devon Williams, Wide Receivers Three Oregon wide receivers are testing the draft waters, and all of them bring a different skillset. Johnson and Redd were the mainstay veterans in the receiver room and were some of the longest-tenured players the Ducks had on the 2021 roster. Johnson and Redd were with the team for five seasons starting in 2017. Both saw minimal playtime in their true-freshman seasons but worked their way up to starting roles and became key contributors in the passing game. The 2019 season was the most productive for them both as they each had seven receiving touchdowns and combined for over 1,300 receiving yards. Johnson is the larger receiver, standing at 6-foot-1. He was a deep threat and proved his worth in a heartbreaking 2019 loss to Arizona State. In the game where the Ducks trailed by 17 with less than nine minutes to go, Johnson snatched two touchdowns in an attempt to avoid the upset, but it fell just short. His fifth and final season was less than impressive as he dealt with injuries, but he still aims to make an NFL roster. Redd is more of a slot receiver by all definitions. He is listed at 5-foot-9 and had a role that shared similarities to that of former Ducks’ receiver De’Anthony Thomas’. Redd did not have the same success Johnson had in the receiving game but was used sporadically to run the ball. He had 21 total touchdowns in his five seasons, but like Johnson, he did not have a favorable 2021 campaign due to injuries. Redd is another Duck with hopes to make it as an undrafted free agent. Williams is the most complete receiver of the trio. He has a good frame, standing 6-foot-5, 207 pounds. He came to Oregon after spending his first two years at USC. Unlike the other two wideouts, Williams’ best season was his last. He quickly became one of Anthony Brown’s favorite targets, tallying 550 yards and four touchdowns before forgoing his final year of eligibility. He too will look to make a roster anyway he can but will likely go undrafted.

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GAMEDAY Seven McGee. (Courtesy of Scott Boldt and Duck’s Digest)

NEW NUMBER, NEW POSITION: SEVEN MCGEE MAKES THE TRANSITION LOOK SEAMLESS In Oregon’s new offense, position versatility has been heavily emphasized by the coaching staff, and while challenges are anticipated for those testing out new positions, Seven McGee’s switch from running back to wide receiver hasn’t been as difficult as some might expect. BY: Gabriel Marvin After wearing No. 0 his freshman year, it made sense with a name like Seven McGee that a number change was coming heading into next season. A position change, however, wasn’t something he expected. Last season, McGee got lost in a veteran-laden running back room, headlined by the NFL-bound CJ Verdell, now USC running back Travis Dye and sophomore standout Byron Cardwell. McGee totaled just 61 yards on 14 carries and one touchdown his freshman year but brought spark

to Oregon’s passing attack later in the year, adding 84 receiving yards on seven catches. Though he doesn’t possess eye-popping statistics, his lack of production could be attributed to Oregon’s stagnant offense and predictable playcalling. Throughout Oregon’s spring practices, McGee’s teammates have watched him blossom in his new role. “He can go out there and route up any cornerback or linebacker,” sophomore linebacker Jeffrey Bassa said.

During this year’s spring camp, McGee has not only impressed his coaches and teammates, but it has been evident to the media in attendance he’s a player who requires attention during every rep of every drill. In the first 11-on-11 scrimmage of spring ball, McGee wasted no time displaying his playmaking ability no matter where he was on the field. Lined up in the slot on the second play, he caught a 50-yard would-be touchdown pass after breaking loose from sophomore defensive back Trikweze Bridges.

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GAMEDAY “[Seven’s] a guy that you better have your eyes ready to play him because he’s quick, he knows how to play receiver and he’s a dog too,” Bridges said. Later that practice, McGee fielded punts during special teams drills and everyone marveled at his ability to evade tacklers. Ducks fans shouldn’t be surprised if he’s the lead returner when the season rolls around. His natural athleticism contributes to the ease of the transition, but athleticism alone won’t make him a great receiver, and McGee knows that. Part of what has made the move from running back to wide receiver seem so easy for McGee is the extra work he’s been putting in throughout spring camp. “He comes in extra time for film. He stays after and catches footballs,” wide receivers coach Junior Adams said. “He’ll send me clips of plays — he’s steady, asking and eager to learn, and we’re excited about him.” Coming out of East High School in Rochester, New York, McGee was a 4-star recruit with a skillset to be a jolt of energy to an offense that optimized him. Though he primarily played running back in high school, he never shied away when his coaches asked him to line up in the slot or at wideout. His history of positional adaptability most certainly played a factor in the seemingly effortless transition he’s made to wide receiver in this year’s spring camp. As a recruit, McGee did not have the typical high school experience, even by most recruits’ standards. In November of his sophomore year at East, he made his second and final commitment to Oregon, a move many locals in Rochester questioned due to how much time he had left in high school. But McGee noted after committing that his decision was in the making for much longer than they might expect. When asked about his earliest memories of wanting to be a Duck, he told Rochester First, “Probably like 9, 10 years old. I always wanted to sign with the Ducks.” He then made the move to Southern California after two standout seasons in Rochester but ended up returning to his home state after a misconduct violation that included the school’s principal, head coach, assistant coach and athletic director. Upon coming back to upstate New York, McGee’s transfer appeal was denied, and he was forced to sit out his junior year. When COVID-19 forced high schools in New York to postpone their fall football season, McGee was left without a place to display his talents in his final season of high school. McGee didn’t let that impact his approach to competing as a Duck. He enrolled early at Oregon and began practicing with the team to get prepared for his first season of college football. His shiftiness and versatility made an immediate impact on his peers and coaches. The position change, however, wasn’t brought on by the previous coaching staff, though McGee hinted at it during his freshman year. “As of right now, I’m just learning the running

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back role and hopefully in the future I’ll play a little slot,” McGee said. With the revamped coaching staff headlined by head coach Dan Lanning and offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham, McGee projects to be a heavily used piece in the new offense. Dillingham has put an emphasis on the advantages of positional versatility and creating mismatches for the team’s most dynamic athletes. McGee certainly fits that description. “This system is built for playmakers, and we are going to put our playmakers in space,” Dillingham said. “If our best players are on the perimeter who can win one-on-one’s, we’re gonna get them opportunities.” Coach Lanning echoed a similar message when asked about what triggered the decision to move Seven McGee. (Courtesy of Scott Boldt and Duck’s Digest)

McGee to receiver. “We’re always just going to take our players and put them in the best position to help our team,” Lanning said. “Seven’s a dynamic guy that can line up at wide out, line up in the backfield and we want to be able to use him.” All that being said, McGee chuckled when asked if he has a preference of which position he plays. “No sir, just put me anywhere and give me the ball,” McGee said. His eagerness to learn and execute whatever his coaches ask of him coupled with elite athleticism and playmaking ability set McGee up to potentially be a De’anthony Thomas-type piece in the offense — a player that he looked up to growing up and one that his teammates have often compared him to.

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