2012 Statistics

ASST. COACHES

Off. Coordinator/QB Coach: Scott Frost (5th season)
Previous: Northern Iowa Def. Coor.

Def. Coordinator: Nick Aliotti (22nd season)
Previous: UCLA Def. Coor./DB Coach

Running Backs: Gary Campbell (31st season)
Previous: Pacific RB Coach

Receivers: Matt Lubick (1st season)
Previous: Duke WR Coach

Tight Ends/Special Teams: Tom Osborne (13th season)
Previous: Arizona State TE/Sp. Teams Coach

Offensive Line: Steve Greatwood (27th season)
Previous: Southern California OL Coach

Defensive Line: Ron Aiken (1st season)
Previous: NFL Cardinals DL Coach

Linebackers : Don Pellum (21st season)
Previous: Willamette DL Coach

Defensive Backs: John Neal (11th season)
Previous: UAB Def. Coor.

    QUARTERBACK  

• Marcus Mariota continues to develop into one of the nation's top signal callers. What makes him so dangerous as a passer is his mobility escaping the pocket and either running or finding open receivers once coverage breaks down.
• Mariota is also a talented drop back passer. He can read the field better than any recent Oregon quarterback since Joey Harrington. With a 68.5% completion percentage (7th best in the country) Mariota proved he can throw the ball. He also has become more vocal this spring, something coaches were hoping for.
• Backup Bryan Bennett transferred leaving the battle for No. 2 a crucial focal point. Both redshirt freshmen Jake Rodrigues and Jeff Lockie are fairly close in the race with Rodrigues seen as a more physical specimen with a strong arm and elite mobility while Lockie has the knack for managing the game making better decisions.
• The backup race is still considered even. If an edge were to be given Rodriguez might have it based on his spring game display of bullet passes and open field speed.

    RUNNING BACK  

• De'Anthony Thomas and Byron Marshall are competing for the job left by Kenjon Barner. Thomas has been utilized more in an all-purpose role (team's leading receiver) so many felt it was Marshall's job to be the primary running back. Contrary to popular belief Thomas was the feature back at the start of spring ball although coaches have acknowledged that he likely won't be able to handle as many carries that accompany being the primary back.
• While Thomas was also running track, Byron Marshall got his share of the workload including the start in the spring game where he looked quick at times and indecisive on other opportunities. Coaches are looking for more consistency from Marshall. It's most likely that both will share the primary duties.
• Three walk-ons provided the remaining depth. One of them, junior Ayele Forde who had 27 carries last fall, was granted a scholarship.
• Incoming freshman Thomas Tyner should factor into this mix upon his arrival. Some fans even believe the five-star prospect from Hawai'i will lead the Ducks in rushing. History says no in Eugene.

    RECEIVER  

• No wonder everyone expects Oregon to throw the ball more. Every significant contributor catching passes from 2012 will be back again.
• It all starts with electrifying senior Josh Huff who looks healthier and more confident than he has ever been. Along with his 4.4 forty speed Huff is a physical receiver who can also block. Huff is poised to become the first 1,000-yard receiver since Demetrius Williams in 2005.
• From most all reports new receivers coach Matt Lubic apparently has made an immediate positive impact.
• They key is to find qualified backups and the Ducks have accomplished the task. While proven returning starters Keanon Lowe and Daryle Hawkins sat out the spring game with minor injuries, emerging stud Bralon Addison stole the show with eight catches for 136 yards.
• Addison has a chance to take over the slot position at some point. He looks that good.
• The depth department got better with B.J. Kelley shaping up to be a part of the mix as a more consistent contributor. However the bad news is that big 6'5 Dwayne Stanford may have been lost for the year with a broken leg.

    TIGHT END  

• With a superior blend of size and athleticism, Colt Lyerla has NFL scouts drooling and the junior could be in line to declare for the Draft by next winter. He was the sole tight end last season in meaningful situations.
• Pharaoh Brown has been labeled the most improved offensive player this spring. Ergo, look for more double tight ends sets in 2013 much like Oregon operated with under the tandem of Ed Dickson and David Paulson in 2009. Both Brown and Lyerla can stretch a defense or hold their own blocking.
• Also expected to push for snaps is former four-star recruit Evan Baylis. The top three tight ends stand 6'5 or more. Former defensive lineman Koa Ka'ai was moved to tight end in 2012 and will continue to provide more depth.

    OFFENSIVE LINE  

• The story on the offensive line is mixed. One of the biggest team concerns heading into 2013 is at guard where Ryan Clanton and Nick Cody have departed. More bad news came when Kyle Long (son of NFL Hall of Famer Howie Long) was denied an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA.
• Candidates to step in at guard include Mana Greig (who is recovering from a midseason knee injury), Hamani Stevens (a regular back up the last two years) and veteran Everett Benyard. The rest of the support will be supplied by players with very limited experience, walk-ons and converted tight end Brian Teague.
• A rash of injuries really hurt this spring as well. Not only did this force a format change for the spring game but it also makes it tough to tell what the finished product will be to start the fall season.
• The Ducks front wall is just an injury or two away from having to use a few incoming recruits. It will be important for longtime established line coach Steve Greatwood to have them ready.
• The good news is that the Ducks have a strong foundation at both tackle spots with Johnstone and Fisher and at center where Hroniss Grasu is NationalChamps.net Preseason All-American. Grasu enters his third season as a full-time starter and will be a top candidate for the Rimington Award given out to the nation's top center.

    DEFENSIVE LINE  

• Two fulltime starters are gone but with veteran backup nose guard Ricky Havili-Heimuli sliding over to tackle the Ducks will now employ three seniors across the top of the board.
• Defensive end Taylor Hart led the team in sacks a year ago and is an emerging star on the national level.
• With two linemen out this spring including Havili-Heimuli with a back injury, rangy 6'8 tackle Arik Armstead took advantage of the extra playing time and looks like a potential breakout performer in 2013. He could find his way into a starting spot.
• Defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti has sent ten players to the NFL in his career but states that he never had three sophomores at one time as gifted and physically imposing as Armstead, DeForest Buckner and Alex Balducci. All three were four-star defensive line prospects out of high school in 2012 with Armstead being a five-star offensive lineman. All three could start right now.
• Due to the respect Tony Washington is getting there surprisingly doesn't seem to be much panic with the loss of Dion Jordan at the hybrid DE/LB spot - one of the greatest Ducks to ever play the position. Christian French is built to fill the need here too. He defines the kind of versatility Oregon has recruited in recent years and can play a number of positions.

    LINEBACKER  

• Outside of the offensive guards linebacker is the next biggest team issue. A trio of inside linebackers - Kiko Alonso, Michael Clay and hybrid outside linebacker/defensive end Dion Jordan - could all be playing in the NFL next season. They easily formed one of the best group of linebackers in school history.
• The spring didn't provide many answers as potential starters Tyson Coleman, Derrick Malone and Rodney Hardrick all sat out with various injuries.
• Coleman was in line to get the first crack in the middle after being voted the team's most improved player over the course of the season before he was injured. The former high school running back played SAM last year as a regular in the rotation.
• Rahim Cassell made some unexpected moves to the front of the depth chart and for insurance Oregon signed junior college transfer Joe Walker to also play in the middle.
• Senior outside linebacker Boseko Lokombo is the best player in this unit. Obviously much more will be expected of him after finishing last season with 39 tackles.
• This is the toughest unit to project. So many unanswered questions abound. Don't expect this group to find an identity until the fall season is well underway.

    DEFENSIVE BACK  

• This Duck secondary lead the nation with 26 interceptions and everyone that mattered most last season returns. Everyone!
• Ifo Ekpre-Olomu was a first time starter last season and posted four interceptions and six forced fumbles. He has gone from a rookie cornerback to an All-American in a short time.
• Fellow corner Terrance Mitchell is another candidate for big post-season honors. He and Ekpre-Olomu potentially form the best cornerback tandem in Eugene since the 2008 duo of Walter Thurmond and Jairus Byrd.
• Safeties Avery Patterson and Brian Jackson are top quality performers as well. Jackson is the returning team leading tackler. Erick Dargan led the team in picks and helps provide ample support when called upon.
• Some high-quality younger players will be on this roster come August but with the entrenched veteran starters the only battle will be who provides backup support.