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Oregon DT Aydin Breland impresses with big spring game performance
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- Oregon DT Aydin Breland impresses with big spring game performance
Clear skies meant plenty of action through the air for the Oregon Ducks in their spring game. Dante Moore , Dylan Raiola and Brock Thomas all let it fly downfield with success, and the Autzen Stadium crowd simmered with anticipation for the fall.
A big passing day meant plenty of dropbacks for the quarterbacks, and also plenty of reps for the Ducks ' wealth of depth along the defensive line. Oregon was fortunate to return core pieces A'Mauri Washington and Bear Alexander on the inside, but behind them is some talent that still has to be proven on the field after a mass exodus in the transfer portal during the offseason.
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Aydin Breland has waited his turn, but he turned heads on Saturday with a monster performance. The Ducks' redshirt sophomore defensive tackle was a wrecking ball in the backfield all day long, leading all defenders in the spring game with six tackles and three sacks.
"The coaches always say Aydin Breland took the biggest stride this spring," linebacker Jerry Mixon said. "I feel like he's stepped up a lot. He caused a lot of havoc today."
A former four-star recruit, Breland hasn't been able to get on the field much as a Duck. Oregon brought in transfers D'Antre Robinson and Jerome Simmons to fill out the defensive line room this offseason. Still, there has been considerable buzz around Breland making a big impact this season.
The Ducks brought back former Oregon stars like Kayvon Thibodeaux for the spring game, and Breland didn't waste any time picking up some notes from the New York Giants edge rusher.
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"When KT comes around, it's just nothing but nuggets," Breland said. "KT just drops a lot of dimes as far as pass rush goes and football knowledge in general. It's great to have him around."
In the fourth quarter, Breland went one-on-one with a guard and quickly shed the block to the inside to force a strip sack on Oregon quarterback Akili Smith Jr. The Ducks hardly took Breland off the field during the game, and he made an impact up the middle that the Ducks have been waiting for.
Oregon defensive line coach Tony Tuioti sent a warning earlier in the spring about Breland's improvement as a player inside and how the Ducks could use him this season.
"He's another guy that's grown tremendously this spring," Tuitoti said. "He's basically a young man who can play all the positions. He can play a five, he can play a nine, he can play a three, he can play a zero. So he adds position flex to us."
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Oregon brought back its big four up front, including Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti off the edge, but the young depth continued to shine. Matthew Johnson picked up four tackles and two sacks of his own, while Bleu Dantzler managed 1.5 sacks on the day. Breland has focused on his power rushing this spring, and Johnson has been by his side every step of the way.
"(Johnson's) been one of the guys with me getting extra film in together," Breland said. "I've seen his game progress to a different level."
The Ducks crave a big rotation along the defensive line, and the spring game inspired plenty of confidence that the group is ready for action.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Aydin Breland breaks out with three-sack day for Oregon in spring game
