Spring football is always fun for fans, but this past month in Eugene has been particularly entertaining for the Oregon Ducks as Dan Lanning and his staff usher in a new-look roster with young faces scattered across the depth chart.
With 10 players going in the NFL draft this past week, Oregon’s 2025 team will feature a long list of new faces in new places, and this spring season has been about trying to identify who the top players are going to be. There are expected offensive starters, like Kenyon Sadiq, Evan Stewart, and Iapani Laloulu, but many more positions that appear to be up in the air when it comes to position competitions.
After watching the spring game take place over the weekend, a 24-20 win for the Fighting Ducks, we have a better sense of who the playmakers are going to be for Oregon. While a spring scrimmage isn’t a perfect encapsulation of what the team will be like in the fall, it offered us a lot more information than we previously had about who fits where on the roster.
So how do we see things now with the spring game in the rearview mirror? That’s an important question. With so many open spots on the starting lineup, the depth chart looks a bit muddled as we wait to see who can separate themselves this offseason. For now, though, there’s no harm in trying to project where things are at.
Here’s our first look at what the offensive depth chart will look like for the Ducks going into the summer:
Quarterback
- Starter: Dante Moore
- Backup: Austin Novosad
- Other Names to Know: Luke Moga
Change From Pre-Spring Game Prediction:Removed Akili Smith Jr. from list
Analysis: With all due respect to true freshman QB Akili Smith Jr., this is a three-man race for the QB1 position, and in my mind, Dante Moore is still the favorite. All three passers looked solid on Saturday, but none of them did anything to convince me that they undoubtedly have the job. I still believe that it is Moore’s job to lose going into the summer.
Running Back
- Starter: Makhi Hughes
- Backup: Noah Whittington/Jayden Limar
- Other Names to Know: Dink Riggs
Change From Pre-Spring Game Prediction:Moved up Jayden Limar
Analysis: One of my biggest realizations after Saturday’s game was that I had not been giving enough credit to Jayden Limar. I had him as the RB3 or RB4 on this list in my mind throughout the spring, sometimes behind redshirt freshman RB Dink Riggs. However, Limar looked really good on Saturday, and I think could ultimately push Noah Whittington for the RB2 spot this season.
Wide Receiver (X)
- Starter: Evan Stewart
- Backup: Kyler Kasper
- Other Names to Know: Jurrion Dickey/Jeremiah McClellan
Change From Pre-Spring Game Prediction:None
Analysis: Evan Stewart didn’t play on Saturday, but I didn’t see anything that changed my depth chart at the X position. I thought Kyler Kasper looked solid, and both Jurrion Dickey and Jeremiah McClellan had some really solid moments.
Wide Receiver (Z)
- Starter: Jeremiah McClellan
- Backup: Justius Lowe
- Other Names to Know: Malik Benson/Jurrion Dickey
Change From Pre-Spring Game Prediction:Removed Cooper Perry
Analysis: I still think that Jeremiah McClellan should be able to win this starting job, but Justius Lowe will definitely push him, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see him out there as a starter this fall, either. One thing I really wanted to see in the spring game was the play of Malik Benson, and whether or not he could contend for a starting spot. He didn’t do anything to impress me, with one catch for nine yards and a brutal drop on a deep ball that hit him in the hands.
Wide Receiver (Slot)
- Starter: Dakorien Moore
- Backup: Gary Bryant Jr.
- Other Names to Know: Justius Lowe
Change From Pre-Spring Game Prediction:None
Analysis: Again, no change in the depth chart order, but a strengthened resolve in the belief that true freshman Dakorien Moore will be the starter. We saw enough on Saturday to show that the Ducks will be targeting him early and often in this offense, and he could be in for a major season as a true freshman.
Tight End
- Starter: Kenyon Sadiq
- Backup: Jamari Johnson
- Other Names to Know: Roger Saleapaga/Vander Ploog
Change From Pre-Spring Game Prediction:Removed A.J. Pugliano, added Roger Saleapaga and Vander Ploog
Analysis: One of the biggest surprises of the day came from seeing TE Roger Saleapaga in full pads on the sideline despite suffering a major knee injury late in the 2024 season. Saleapaga didn’t play in the game, but this does give some confidence that he might be ready for the 2025 season, which I previously did not think would happen. Also, true freshman TE Vander Ploog looked solid with two catches for 38 yards on the day, moving him over Pugliano in the depth chart.
Left Tackle
- Starter: Isaiah World
- Backup: Fox Crader
- Other Names to Know: Kawika Rogers/Ziyarre Addison
Change From Pre-Spring Game Prediction:Flipped Fox Crader and Kawika Rogers
Analysis: Isaiah World will definitely be the starter at the LT position, but I am flipping Kawika Rogers and Fox Crader at this spot, since I think Rogers will play more of a guard role. He started at LG on Saturday, while Crader started at LT for the Fighting Ducks squad.
Left Guard
- Starter: Emmanuel Pregnon
- Backup: Dave Iuli
- Other Names to Know: Kawika Rogers/Iapani Laloulu
Change From Pre-Spring Game Prediction:Added Kawika Rogers
Analysis: Much like the LT spot, Emmanuel Pregnon should be the starter at LG. I also added Kawika Rogers to the list here because he started at LG for the Fighting Ducks on Saturday, when I previously thought he would be spending more time at tackle.
Center
- Starter: Iapani Laloulu
- Backup: Charlie Pickard
- Other Names to Know: Dave Iuli/Bryce Boulton
Change From Pre-Spring Game Prediction:None
Analysis: Iapani Laloulu took over as the starting center as a true sophomore in 2024, so there is no reason to believe that he won’t once again be the guy in 2025. Behind him, we will likely see Charlie Pickard, who acted as the starting center when Laloulu moved around to guard in the wake of an injury early in 2024.
Right Guard
- Starter: Matthew Bedford
- Backup: Dave Iuli
- Other Names to Know: Alex Harkey/Lipe Moala
Change From Pre-Spring Game Prediction:None
Analysis: I’m still very uncertain on whether or not it will be Bedford or Iuli as the starter at RG, but those two will occupy the top two spots in some fashion. Behind them, there are a number of guys who can slot in, but I like Lipe Moala for the No. 3 spot. I also put Alex Harkey in play after a conversation with Geoff Schwartz on his potential fit on the line.
Right Tackle
- Starter: Alex Harkey
- Backup: Gernorris Wilson
- Other Names to Know: Trent Ferguson
Change From Pre-Spring Game Prediction:Removed Kawika Rogers
Analysis: It appears that Alex Harkey is going to be the guy at RT this year, though I still think Gernorris Wilson can challenge him for that starting spot. I also removed Kawika Rogers from the list, as it looks like he will be playing more of a guard role.
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 offensive depth chart prediction after spring game
Spring football is always fun for fans, but this past month in Eugene has been particularly entertaining for the Oregon Ducks as Dan Lanning and his staff usher in a new-look roster with young faces scattered across the depth chart.
With 10 players going in the NFL draft this past week, Oregon’s 2025 team will feature a long list of new faces in new places, and this spring season has been about trying to identify who the top players are going to be. There are expected offensive starters, like Kenyon Sadiq, Evan Stewart, and Iapani Laloulu, but many more positions that appear to be up in the air when it comes to position competitions.
After watching the spring game take place over the weekend, a 24-20 win for the Fighting Ducks, we have a better sense of who the playmakers are going to be for Oregon. While a spring scrimmage isn’t a perfect encapsulation of what the team will be like in the fall, it offered us a lot more information than we previously had about who fits where on the roster.
So how do we see things now with the spring game in the rearview mirror? That’s an important question. With so many open spots on the starting lineup, the depth chart looks a bit muddled as we wait to see who can separate themselves this offseason. For now, though, there’s no harm in trying to project where things are at.
Here’s our first look at what the offensive depth chart will look like for the Ducks going into the summer:
Quarterback
- Starter: Dante Moore
- Backup: Austin Novosad
- Other Names to Know: Luke Moga
Change From Pre-Spring Game Prediction:Removed Akili Smith Jr. from list
Analysis: With all due respect to true freshman QB Akili Smith Jr., this is a three-man race for the QB1 position, and in my mind, Dante Moore is still the favorite. All three passers looked solid on Saturday, but none of them did anything to convince me that they undoubtedly have the job. I still believe that it is Moore’s job to lose going into the summer.
Running Back
- Starter: Makhi Hughes
- Backup: Noah Whittington/Jayden Limar
- Other Names to Know: Dink Riggs
Change From Pre-Spring Game Prediction:Moved up Jayden Limar
Analysis: One of my biggest realizations after Saturday’s game was that I had not been giving enough credit to Jayden Limar. I had him as the RB3 or RB4 on this list in my mind throughout the spring, sometimes behind redshirt freshman RB Dink Riggs. However, Limar looked really good on Saturday, and I think could ultimately push Noah Whittington for the RB2 spot this season.
Wide Receiver (X)
- Starter: Evan Stewart
- Backup: Kyler Kasper
- Other Names to Know: Jurrion Dickey/Jeremiah McClellan
Change From Pre-Spring Game Prediction:None
Analysis: Evan Stewart didn’t play on Saturday, but I didn’t see anything that changed my depth chart at the X position. I thought Kyler Kasper looked solid, and both Jurrion Dickey and Jeremiah McClellan had some really solid moments.
Wide Receiver (Z)
- Starter: Jeremiah McClellan
- Backup: Justius Lowe
- Other Names to Know: Malik Benson/Jurrion Dickey
Change From Pre-Spring Game Prediction:Removed Cooper Perry
Analysis: I still think that Jeremiah McClellan should be able to win this starting job, but Justius Lowe will definitely push him, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see him out there as a starter this fall, either. One thing I really wanted to see in the spring game was the play of Malik Benson, and whether or not he could contend for a starting spot. He didn’t do anything to impress me, with one catch for nine yards and a brutal drop on a deep ball that hit him in the hands.
Wide Receiver (Slot)
- Starter: Dakorien Moore
- Backup: Gary Bryant Jr.
- Other Names to Know: Justius Lowe
Change From Pre-Spring Game Prediction:None
Analysis: Again, no change in the depth chart order, but a strengthened resolve in the belief that true freshman Dakorien Moore will be the starter. We saw enough on Saturday to show that the Ducks will be targeting him early and often in this offense, and he could be in for a major season as a true freshman.
Tight End
- Starter: Kenyon Sadiq
- Backup: Jamari Johnson
- Other Names to Know: Roger Saleapaga/Vander Ploog
Change From Pre-Spring Game Prediction:Removed A.J. Pugliano, added Roger Saleapaga and Vander Ploog
Analysis: One of the biggest surprises of the day came from seeing TE Roger Saleapaga in full pads on the sideline despite suffering a major knee injury late in the 2024 season. Saleapaga didn’t play in the game, but this does give some confidence that he might be ready for the 2025 season, which I previously did not think would happen. Also, true freshman TE Vander Ploog looked solid with two catches for 38 yards on the day, moving him over Pugliano in the depth chart.
Left Tackle
- Starter: Isaiah World
- Backup: Fox Crader
- Other Names to Know: Kawika Rogers/Ziyarre Addison
Change From Pre-Spring Game Prediction:Flipped Fox Crader and Kawika Rogers
Analysis: Isaiah World will definitely be the starter at the LT position, but I am flipping Kawika Rogers and Fox Crader at this spot, since I think Rogers will play more of a guard role. He started at LG on Saturday, while Crader started at LT for the Fighting Ducks squad.
Left Guard
- Starter: Emmanuel Pregnon
- Backup: Dave Iuli
- Other Names to Know: Kawika Rogers/Iapani Laloulu
Change From Pre-Spring Game Prediction:Added Kawika Rogers
Analysis: Much like the LT spot, Emmanuel Pregnon should be the starter at LG. I also added Kawika Rogers to the list here because he started at LG for the Fighting Ducks on Saturday, when I previously thought he would be spending more time at tackle.
Center
- Starter: Iapani Laloulu
- Backup: Charlie Pickard
- Other Names to Know: Dave Iuli/Bryce Boulton
Change From Pre-Spring Game Prediction:None
Analysis: Iapani Laloulu took over as the starting center as a true sophomore in 2024, so there is no reason to believe that he won’t once again be the guy in 2025. Behind him, we will likely see Charlie Pickard, who acted as the starting center when Laloulu moved around to guard in the wake of an injury early in 2024.
Right Guard
- Starter: Matthew Bedford
- Backup: Dave Iuli
- Other Names to Know: Alex Harkey/Lipe Moala
Change From Pre-Spring Game Prediction:None
Analysis: I’m still very uncertain on whether or not it will be Bedford or Iuli as the starter at RG, but those two will occupy the top two spots in some fashion. Behind them, there are a number of guys who can slot in, but I like Lipe Moala for the No. 3 spot. I also put Alex Harkey in play after a conversation with Geoff Schwartz on his potential fit on the line.
Right Tackle
- Starter: Alex Harkey
- Backup: Gernorris Wilson
- Other Names to Know: Trent Ferguson
Change From Pre-Spring Game Prediction:Removed Kawika Rogers
Analysis: It appears that Alex Harkey is going to be the guy at RT this year, though I still think Gernorris Wilson can challenge him for that starting spot. I also removed Kawika Rogers from the list, as it looks like he will be playing more of a guard role.
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 offensive depth chart prediction after spring game
