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Oregon Ducks Seeing ‘Night and Day’ Difference From Former Five-Star
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- Oregon Ducks Seeing ‘Night and Day’ Difference From Former Five-Star
(USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
After playing a limited role as a freshman, former five star Na'eem Offord is beginning to make a strong case for significantly more playing time at Oregon .
When he didn't get a ton of playing time in his freshman year, he took it as an opportunity, not a punishment.
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"Every freshman's time is different. Everything ain't going to be the same for everybody. Sometimes you've got to work your way up," Offord said earlier this month . "It's OK to sit back and learn from others and see what's their preparation and how does college go."
Throughout his learning curve, he had leaned on the veterans in the locker room, like running back Makhi Hughes , who now plays for Houston .
Offord had rotated at the nickel cornerback position last season, and now with transfer Carl Williams IV in the picture, he and true freshman Davon Benjamin have been battling for that spot.
Brandon Finney Jr. and Ify Obidegwu formed one of college football's most dominant corner duos last season, and so far, it seems like Offord has been earning an extended look as the team's CB2.
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Reports out of Oregon 's camp suggest Offord has been shining, with Ducks coach Dan Lanning saying there's been a "night and day" difference from last season.
"He's proving to be a guy that can play significant snaps as long as he continues to improve because his skill set is so unique," coach Dan Lanning said . "He's long, he has great speed, challenges the ball, he's physical. All those things are really showing up for him so far in fall camp."
Defensive coordinator Chris Hampton has also indicated that Offord and others are beginning to force their way into larger roles.
"I think we need to get these guys roles as much as possible and as much as they show us they can do, and right now, they're going in the direction where we've got to find ways to play these guys," he said.
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For now, Offord's role remains unsettled. But after playing mostly special teams and limited defensive snaps as a freshman, Oregon appears increasingly confident that the former five-star is ready for a much larger role in 2026.
