Will Ducks add linebacker in 2025?

There aren’t many significant areas of need for the Oregon Ducks when it comes to the transfer portal this spring, but throughout Dan Lanning’s time in Eugene, we’ve consistently seen him use the portal to add to the roster and bolster certain positions with talent, whether it’s in the winter portal or spring portal.

We’ve broken down where those potential areas could come for the Ducks this spring, and at the top of the list is the linebacker spot. Following the departures of Jeffrey Bassa and Jestin Jacobs, Oregon’s linebacker corps is not only thin but also relatively inexperienced. Thankfully, the Ducks were able to return senior Bryce Boettcher for one more season. However, they still have only seven players in the room, two of whom — Boettcher and Devon Jackson — have legitimate experience on the field.

As for Brayden Platt, Kamar Mothudi, Dylan Williams, Jerry Mixon, and Gavin Nix, there is talent, but limited production.

So it would make sense for the Ducks to try and find a veteran backer in the portal this spring to bolster the depth. When talking to Oregon’s LB coach Brian Michalowski on Saturday, though, that doesn’t appear to be a major priority at the moment.

“I take a lot of pride in developing guys,” Michalowski said. “If I’m having to go to the portal, what’s that say about me as a coach when it comes to development? I take a lot of pride in building from the bottom up, and I think it’s a position that with as much leadership as we have to have and experience in communicating, that’s the best way to do it at the inside linebacker position. The young guys have done just a phenomenal job.”

The young guys who Oregon is expected to lean on this year come from the class of 2024 — a trio of redshirt freshman who were among the top recruits in the class. Platt, Mothudi, and Williams all ranked among…

Source link : https://duckswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/ducks/football/2025/04/19/oregon-football-transfer-portal-linebacker-2025/83178407007/

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Publish date : 2025-04-19 23:50:00

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