The Oregon Ducks are locked and loaded with playmakers waiting to explode onto the scene, headlined by a pair of elite players that joined the Ducks in the transfer portal. Oregon fully expects to keep their high-scoring ways going.
With fall camp underway, I did my best to answer some of the depth chart questions and familiarize Ducks fans with their new look offense by predicting the two-deep depth chart, after doing so yesterday for the defense . Let's dive in.
2024 Oregon two deep offensive depth chart
Quarterback
- Dillon Gabriel
- Dante Moore
This one is straight forward. Both Dillon James and Dante Moore join the ducks via the transfer portal, with Gabriel the headliner and Moore an explosive, high-upset but raw talent that will sit and learn. Gabriel is getting a ton of love , garnering attention on the Walter Camp Award watchlist, while also currently sitting as the Heisman Trophy favorite before the season begins.
He brings a veteran presence, with 49 career starts in 50 games played, a ton of arm talent, and a high level of competitiveness. Gabriel enters this year as one of the best quarterbacks in the country.
Running Back
- Jordan James
- Noah Whittington
Jordan James, who had a highly productive 2023 season with 759 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on only 107 rushing attempts, is set to take over as the lead back after Bucky Irving went pro. James has embraced his new role, putting in work this year to improve his speed and his pass-catching ability.
A week ago, Stein had high praise for his new lead back .
"He can go run every route, protect every pass pro, and I think he's a three-down back," Stein added. "He's an incredible player and I'm excited about what he's going to do for us this season."
It doesn't get more clear than that.
Behind James, Noah Whittington is almost a year removed from an ACL tear, and entered fall camp at full strength. At 5'8" 200 lbs, Whittington had 148 rushing yards and two touchdowns, along with 10 receptions for 78 yards in the first four games last season. If he's truly back to full speed, he'll be a factor as a complement to James.
Wide Receiver
X - Traeshon Holden
X - Gary Bryant Jr.
Y - Tez Johnson
Y - Jurrion Dickey
Z - Evan Stewart
Z - Kyler Kasper
The wide receiver position is loaded with quality at all three starter spots, with highly-ranked recruits like Jurrion Dickey and Gary Bryant Jr waiting in the wings.
I have Traeshon Holden starting at the X, operating as a true outside threat, with Evan Stewart acting as a do-everything route runner that can line up all over the formation. Stewart is one of my favorite breakout candidates around the country this year, as he has the potential to be a first round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Tez Johnson, fresh off his single-season receptions record setting season, will act as a slot weapon that can put defenders in a blender. Gabriel will have no shortage of targets to throw to.
Tight End
- Terrance Ferguson
- Patrick Herbert OR Kenyon Sadiq
The tight end position is rich for the Ducks at the moment, with Terrance Ferguson returning to lead the group, and Patrick Herbert serving likely as the No. 2 TE in two tight end sets, but Kenyon Sadiq is knocking down the door behind them.
His athleticism is special, Ferguson said during Big Ten Media Days that Sadiq has the "tools to be the best the program has ever produced," and offensive coordinator Will Stein, unsolicited, compared his skillset to that of the recently-drafted Brock Bowers. That's some serious hype.
I still think Sadiq is third in the pecking order, but if something were to happen due to injuries, he could be thrown into a role that requires, and affords him the opportunities, to be a massive contributor.
Offensive Line
LT - Josh Conerly Jr
LT - George Silva
LG - Marcus Harper
LG - Dave Luli
C - Iapani Laloulu
C - Charlie Pickard
RG - Matthew Bedford
RG - Nishad Strother
RT - Ajani Cornelius
RT - Kawika Rogers
Oregon really doesn't have much of a weakness on offense. They're talented from the trenches to the playmakers. Anchoring this strong offensive line is Josh Conerly Jr and Ajani Cornelius , a tackle duo that is right up there with the best pair of bookends in the country.
The Ducks do find themselves in the unfamiliar and slightly uncomfortable position of life without Jackson Powers-Johnson, who became the first Pac-12 player ever to win the Rimington Trophy, given to the country's best center. He was a force and a leader on this team.
Now, it'll be Iapani Laloulu, a former 4-star center out of Hawaii, that'll step into the starter spot. Coaches have raved about him throughout camp, and Dillon Gabriel has mentioned being very comfortable with the center/quarterback exchange.
Oregon's offense is going to continue to be high-flying and potent, and there are plenty of talented players competing for rights to "next man up." Oregon's first season in the Big Ten Conference will showcase plenty of offense.
Related: Predicting the Oregon Ducks' defense two deep depth chart amid fall camp for 2024 college football season
Follow along all year for more Oregon Ducks coverage on A to Z Sports. You can find me on X @JonHelmkamp , as well as follow our main page @AtoZSportsNFL for all the latest news.
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