When the Oregon Ducks secured the commitment of former Purdue Boilermakers safety Dillon Thieneman in the transfer portal after the 2024 season, they knew they were getting an impact player.
During his freshman and sophomore seasons with the Boilermakers , the 6-foot, 205-pounder amassed 210 tackles, six interceptions, eight passes defensed and two forced fumbles. He was quickly recognized as one of the top safeties in the country, being named an AP Third Team All-American in 2023.
Though Thieneman hasn't garnered the sort of tackle numbers that he did at Purdue, largely due to the talent now present around him, he's lived up to the hype. Through eight games, he has 37 total tackles (17 solo), three passes defensed and a critical game-sealing interception in double overtime against the Penn State Nittany Lions in Week 5.
Defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi has deployed Thieneman all across the Ducks ' defense, from near the line of scrimmage to covering deep down the field. With the linebacking core outside of senior Bryce Boettcher struggling, the former Boilermaker has stepped up at the second level of the defense.
His play has long placed him on draft boards, but after a seven-tackle, two-pass defense day against the Wisconsin Badgers in Week 9, experienced ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. provided his breakdown of Thieneman's performance and draft prospects.
"Yes, Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman gave up a big play to Wisconsin's Eugene Hilton Jr. on Saturday night in the rain," he wrote in ESPN's weekly NFL Draft roundup . "He had him covered well, though, and just lost his footing on an underthrown ball. Outside of that, he was terrific -- showing once again why he belongs right behind Ohio State 's Caleb Downs in the safety class. Oregon can move Thieneman around, and NFL teams will love that. He can line up in the slot. He can play split safety. He can step down into the box. He does it all."
"The 6-foot, 205-pound Thieneman, who transferred from Purdue, is solid against the run and strong in coverage, and he covers ground quickly," Kiper continued. "I think he's going to run really well for the clock at predraft events. He's savvy, as well. Thieneman just needs to clean up his tackling. He gets sloppy there, as he's not a form tackler. I see him as a second- or third-rounder."
Though it's quickly becoming clear that Thieneman will have the option to enter the 2026 NFL Draft after his junior campaign concludes, his efforts will continue to be greatly needed for the Ducks down the stretch of the season.
They have four regular-season games remaining, the next one after Oregon's bye, coming against the Iowa Hawkeyes . Facing a physical Hawkeyes rushing attack, Thieneman will have a chance to put to rest Kiper's main concern of his game.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. speaks on Ducks' Dillon Thieneman
