After the offensive years of Chip Kelly and Mark Helfrich, the Oregon Ducks have taken on a defensive identity over the past couple of seasons with Dan Lanning at the helm, and it has shown itself by way of defensive talent on the roster.
Four of the six Ducks who were selected in the 2025 NFL draft were on the defensive side of the ball, and the number should only go up in the coming years, judging how well Oregon is recruiting on both the defensive line and in the secondary as of late.
In 2025, the Ducks could have one of the best defenses in the Big Ten, led by a pair of studs who will likely be among the best in the nation at their position, and potentially first-round draft picks. Those two players are EDGE Matayo Uiagalelei and safety Dillon Thieneman, both of whom landed on the Lott Trophy watch list on Wednesday.
The Lott IMPACT Trophy is a college football award given annually to a defensive player who demonstrates both outstanding performance on the field and exemplary character off the field.
As a sophomore, Uiagaelei had a breakout season for the Ducks, leading the Big Ten with 10.5 sacks. This was the 10th-highest single-season sack total in Oregon history. Uiagalelei earned All-Big Ten honors, being named to the first team by the media and second team by the coaches.
Meanwhile, Thieneman comes to Oregon as a transfer from Purdue after establishing himself as one of the best safeties in the nation during his first two years with the Boilermakers. In two seasons, Thieneman has racked up 210 tackles and six interceptions. He is widely regarded as one of the best defensive backs in the nation and has been garnering buzz as a potential first-round pick next season.
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Publish date : 2025-05-29 03:16:00
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