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Oregon's Secondary Might Be Scariest in College Football
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- Oregon's Secondary Might Be Scariest in College Football
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oregon's Secondary Might Be Scariest in College Football
The Oregon Ducks enter training camp with one of the best and most experienced front sevens in college football this year, and that group should make life even easier for the talented players behind them.
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The Ducks defense held Texas Tech to a shutout in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Orange Bowl. Oregon's offense struggled in the next game, leading to a 56-22 blowout loss to Indiana in the CFP semifinal.
The Ducks have several players returning to start on offense this season, and they should be more prepared for a deep run in the CFP if the offensive line gets sorted out after losing three starters.
What might put Oregon over the top is its secondary. Blake Brockermeyer of CBS Sports ranked the Ducks as having the No. 3 best secondary in college football behind Notre Dame and Miami .
"Corner Brandon Finney Jr. headlines the group after looking like a future star as a full-time freshman starter," Brockermeyer wrote. Long and athletic, Finney runs well and consistently plays through receivers' hands at the catch point. He finished last season with 11 passes defended and three interceptions.
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"Ify Obidegwu returns opposite Finney after a solid first year as a starter, recording six passes defended and an interception."
The Ducks lost safety Dillon Thieneman to this year's draft, going to the Chicago Bears in the first round. His replacement, Minnesota transfer Koi Perich, should keep Oregon dangerous at safety this season.
Koi Perich headlines the safety room after arriving from Minnesota to replace Dillon Thieneman," Brockermeyer wrote. Perich excels in run support while covering plenty of ground with impressive range.
"Boundary safety Aaron Flowers is an underrated prospect who made a major impact against the run, recording 70 tackles while adding three passes defended and an interception."
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Oregon is still undecided what to do at nickel. Baylor transfer Carl Williams IV will compete with Peyton Woodyard and freshman Davon Benjamin for the job.
The depth at secondary will be key to the Ducks' championship hopes, as the CFP usually features elite quarterbacks. If Finney and Perich take the next step this season, Oregon could have the scariest secondary in the sport.
