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Oregon Ducks LB preview: Each player has something to prove
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- Oregon Ducks LB preview: Each player has something to prove
Since Dan Lanning took over as head coach, the Oregon Ducks have steadily moved closer to capturing the elusive national championship. In 2025, Oregon advanced to the College Football Playoff semifinals, but once again saw its title pursuit end short of the ultimate goal.
Now, with a coaching staff that has been able to learn and grow, a veteran core returning, and one of the most talented rosters in the country, the Ducks enter 2026 with a legitimate opportunity to deliver the championship season their fans have been waiting for.
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One of the position groups that will have a prominent hand in determining if that goal is reached is the linebacking unit. Out goes veteran Bryce Boettcher , and in come several players who have been with the program for multiple years yet have not capitalized on their opportunities as much as the coaching staff would probably like.
Coming into the offseason, adding to this group via the transfer portal was viewed as somewhat of a necessity, but that didn't happen. It's the homegrown guys that will have to step up. How effective they are at doing that is something to monitor as the 2026 season progresses.
State of the Oregon Ducks Linebacker Position
Dec 20, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Jerry Mixon (54) celebrates after making a tackle during the second quarter against the James Madison Dukes at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images
The linebacker unit was led by Boettcher a season ago, as he racked up a team-high 136 tackles. He was all over the place, largely overshadowing any other linebacker that took the field. But after being drafted by the Indianapolis Colts , the onus is on other players to step up and fill the shoes that Boettcher leaves behind.
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There's one prominent candidate in Jerry Mixon , who had a mini-breakout in 2025 alongside Boettcher. He finally seemed to adjust to the speed of the college game, making several big plays, albeit while disappearing for stretches of other games. Across the whole group, consistency will have to improve if this unit is to be successful this fall.
Who's Gone, Who's Back, and Who's New?
Jun 10, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts linebacker Bryce Boettcher (50) participates in a drill during minicamp at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
Departures
The only departure from this group was the most important of them all in Boettcher. After posting a career-high in tackles, he was drafted in the fourth round by the Colts and will compete for a starting role in Indianapolis. He leaves behind some massive shoes and a loud voice to fill, as he was the emotional leader of the Ducks' defense. For a while, it felt like Boettcher would be a Duck forever. But after his best season, he's finally departed for the NFL.
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Returners
Mixon is the headliner here, as he was the primary linebacker next to Boettcher in 2025. He was fifth on the team in tackles with 57 while nabbing two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Devon Jackson appears to be the leader in the clubhouse to fill Mixon's role from a season ago, though he's plateaued the last two seasons with 41 and 47 tackles in a reserve role. Brayden Platt , Gavin Nix and Dylan Williams are all blue-chip talents who have been around the program and had promising stretches, but are unaccomplished as a whole.
Newcomers
The 2026 recruiting class was strong at this spot for the Ducks, as they received commitments from four-stars Braylon Hodge (No. 15 linebacker overall) and Tristan Phillips (No. 17 linebacker). Both are 6-foot-3 and around 215 pounds, with a need to add mass to their frames before contributing on a regular basis. As mentioned, Oregon didn't add any linebackers in the transfer portal.
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Projected Depth Chart
Oct 26, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Devon Jackson (26) tackles Illinois Fighting Illini running back Ca'Lil Valentine (5) during the second half at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Starters:Jerry Mixon, Devon Jackson
Backups:Brayden Platt, Gavin Nix, Dylan Williams
Other names to know:Braylon Hodge, Tristan Phillips
Biggest Questions Entering Fall Camp
Jan 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Teitum Tuioti (44) reacts with linebacker Devon Jackson (26) after a sack against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the second half of the 2025 Orange Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Can Devon Jackson finally break out?
The stage is set for Jackson to have his full-blown breakout campaign, as all signs point towards him starting from Day 1 of fall camp. But Ducks fans have thought this same thought before, only for Jackson to have a solid, but unspectacular season. A four-star and the No. 9 linebacker in the 2022 class, Jackson has been around for awhile, biding his time. Now's the year for him to start ramping it up and take the LB2 spot, not slide into it simply because he's a solid fifth-year senior.
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Who among Platt, Nix and Williams emerges as a reliable rotational option?
There's clear talent between these three players, with Platt and Williams having a bit of a leg up having been in Eugene for the last two seasons. During that time, they haven't been able to carve out consistent roles on defense. They were young, but as juniors, much like with Jackson, the time is now to step up and prove themselves. Mixon and Jackson can't be on the field all the time, and this trio of players will compete for replacement reps.
Player to Watch
Sep 13, 2025; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Jerry Mixon (54) intercepts a pass against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Jerry Mixon
This is the chalk answer, but Mixon should be extremely fun to watch this season. Having totaled just eight tackles in his first two seasons with the Ducks and looking pretty timid while doing so, Mixon finally seemed to learn how to use his 6-foot-2, 240-pound frame to his advantage last season. He was physical for the most part, an area where he'll need to continue to grow as the focal point of this position group. Boettcher flew around to the ball but was a tad undersized while doing so. Mixon is bigger and possesses similar qualities, giving himself a chance to have a monster senior season.
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Final Outlook and Position Grade
Oregon inside linebacker Jerry Mixon, left and Oregon defensive back Jadon Canady celebrate as the Oregon Ducks face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sept. 27, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.
The position group bar is incredibly high for this 2026 Oregon roster, and there's a case to be made that the linebacking unit is the weakest of them all. Each player that is projected to see time this year has something to prove and is somewhat unaccomplished, leaving some uncertainty about how the group may perform. Not adding through the portal was a curious move, but also a vote of confidence that this group has what it takes. I'm a bit more on the skeptical side. I think this group is going to be passable, but not quite elite like other positions on the Ducks' roster.
Overall Oregon Ducks Linebacker Position Grade:B-
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon Ducks LB preview: Each player has something to prove
