Predicting Ducks' defensive depth chart ahead of Oregon Spring Game

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Predicting Ducks' defensive depth chart ahead of Oregon Spring Game

Zachary Neel, Ducks Wire · Ducks Wire

Wed, Apr 22, 2026 ·

6 min read

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Over a dozen spring football practices are in the books for Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks , and the team is now getting set to take the field in Autzen Stadium for the annual spring game on Saturday afternoon. This will be the third official scrimmage for Oregon this spring, but the first played in front of fans and a live television audience.

While this is nothing new for the majority of the Ducks' returning roster , it will be a new experience for many young players fighting for spots on the depth chart. With several months of offseason still ahead, nothing will be set in stone as far as starting spots go following the spring game, but this will offer up a great opportunity to see who is fighting for snaps and where the depth chart stands at this point.

Though we haven't been able to see any practices or scrimmages thus far, talking to players and coaches over the past several weeks has given us a look at who is playing where and which young players are stepping up and potentially grabbing top spots on the depth chart. Here is our prediction of how things will look when we see them on Saturday.

Nose Tackle

Oregon defensive lineman Bear Alexander, left, and Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman bring down Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. as the Oregon Ducks take on the Washington Huskies on Nov. 29, 2025, at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington.

Starter: Bear Alexander
Backup: Matthew Johnson
Other Names to Know: Jerome Simmons / Aydin Breland

Analysis: Bear Alexander returns for another year and will slot in as the starter once again. Behind him, the depth gets a little bit interesting and hard to forecast this early on. Some early names to look at, though, are Jerome Simmons, Matt Johnson, and Aydin Breland, who can likely slot in across the defensive front.

Defensive Tackle

Oregon defensive lineman A'Mauri Washington, left, pressures Wisconsin quarterback Hunter Simmons as the Oregon Ducks host the Wisconsin Badgers on Oct. 25, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

Starter: A'Mauri Washington
Backup: D'Antre Robinson
Other Names to Know: Matt Johnson / Aydin Breland

Analysis: A'Mauri Washington, a projected first-round draft pick in 2025, is back for another year, which is massive for the Ducks. Much like the nose tackle spot, though, things get a bit unclear behind him. With the mass of transfers out at this position, it's unclear who will be his backup. I'm looking at North Carolina transfer D'Antre Robinson, Aydin Breland, and Matt Johnson. Freshman Tony Cumberland was originally on this list, but after being involved in a car accident, he is out for the remainder of the spring season.

Defensive End

Aug 30, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei (10) sacks Montana State Bobcats quarterback Justin Lamson (8) during the second half at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Starter: Matayo Uiagalelei
Backup: Elijah Rushing
Other Names to Know: Tank Jones / Prince Tavizon

Analysis: Matayo Uiagalelei returns for his senior season, which again is a huge win for the Ducks. But, just like on the interior defensive line, there are some questions behind him. The edges are in better shape than the inside, depth-wise, with guys like Elijah Rushing and Tank Jones projected to have an impact, but it will be interesting to see how this depth chart fleshes out in the spring and summer.

Jack Linebacker

Jan 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Teitum Tuioti (44) reacts 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

Starter: Teitum Tuioti
Backup: Nasir Wyatt
Other Names to Know: Tank Jones

Analysis: Once again, Teitum Tuioti returns and provides some massive stability for the Ducks. Behind him, it's not hard to project that Nasir Wyatt is going to step up and have a bigger role, and Tank Jones can likely play in this spot as well.

Strong Side Linebacker

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 09: Nasir Wyatt #32 of the Oregon Ducks reacts after a tackle against the Indiana Hoosiers during the second quarter in the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Starter: Nasir Wyatt
Backup: Tank Jones
Other Names to Know: Dutch Horisk

Analysis: Nasir Wyatt looks primed for a bigger role in this defense, assuming he continues to bulk up a bit this offseason, so I think he will slot in as the starter here, especially with Blake Purchase gone. I also want to see Tank Jones step up into this position as well.

MAC Linebacker

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 01: Devon Jackson #26 and Bryce Boettcher #28 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates recovering a fumble against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the second quarter during the 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on January 01, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Starter: Devon Jackson
Backup: Brayden Platt
Other Names to Know: Gavin Nix / Dylan Williams

Analysis: There are some questions about the linebacker spots this offseason, with Bryce Boettcher graduating. I expect someone like Devon Jackson to step up and be the guy in one of these spots. The Ducks also have a lot of young and talented players ready to have an impact.

Money Linebacker

Sep 20, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Jerry Mixon (54) reacts after a play against the Oregon State Beavers during the first quarter of the game at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Starter: Jerry Mixon
Backup: Brayden Platt
Other Names to Know: Gavin Nix

Analysis: After stepping into a starting role this past season, Jerry Mixon projects to be one of the leaders of this defense next year, and potentially the green-dot linebacker that Oregon has been needing over the past couple of years. I am also curious to see what Brayden Platt and Gavin Nix can do with another year of growth under their belts.

Boundary Cornerback

Oregon defensive back Ify Obidegwu intercepts a pass intended for USC tight end Walker Lyons as the Oregon Ducks host the USC Trojans on Nov. 22, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

Starter: Ify Obidegwu
Backup: Na'eem Offord
Other Names to Know: Aaron Scott / Dorian Brew / Davon Benjamin

Analysis: Ify Obidegwu had a great year in 2025 as one of the starting cornerbacks, and that shouldn't change next year either. He will undoubtedly be pushed by guys like Na'eem Offord, Doran Brew, and Aaron Scott Jr., among others, but that's not a bad thing for the Ducks. The more competition, the better.

Field Cornerback

Oregon defensive back Brandon Finney Jr. celebrates an interception as the Oregon Ducks take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.

Starter: Brandon Finney Jr.
Backup: Aaron Scott Jr.
Other Names to Know: Davon Benjamin / Dorian Brew

Analysis: Brandon Finney was the star of the show this year on Oregon's defense, dominating as a true freshman and earning true freshman All-American honors. He should once again be among the best cornerbacks in the nation next year and lead the Ducks' secondary. Again, I'm curious to watch guys like Scott, Brew, and Benjamin, as well as Na'eem Offord, who may play on the outside or in the nickel.

Boundary Safety

Oct 18, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Aaron Flowers (21) celebrates his interception during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Starter: Aaron Flowers
Backup: Trey McNutt
Other Names to Know: Jett Washington / Xavier Lherisse

Analysis: After earning the starting spot this past year alongside Dillon Thieneman , Flowers projects to be one of the best players on Oregon's defense once again next season. He's going to be pushed by former 5-star Trey McNutt, who was injured for much of 2025, but the Ducks' secondary looks to be very strong once again.

Field Safety

Dec 26, 2025; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detailed view of the jersey of Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Koi Perich (3) against the New Mexico Lobos during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Starter: Koi Perich
Backup: Peyton Woodyard
Other Names to Know: Trey McNutt / Devin Jackson

Analysis: With Dillon Thieneman going to the NFL draft, Oregon went into the portal and got a great replacement in Koi Perich, from Minnesota. Perich is a rangy safety who will excel in coverage, leading the secondary much like DT did last year. Behind him, I once again expect guys like Peyton Woodyard and Trey McNutt to step up.

STAR/Nickel

Sep 6, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears safety Carl Williams IV (5) lines up during the game between the SMU Mustangs and the Baylor Bears at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Starter: Carl Williams IV
Backup: Na'eem Offord
Other Names to Know: Davon Benjamin / Peyton Woodyard

Analysis: Oregon went into the portal to land Baylor's Carl Williams IV, who likely will slot into the Nickel position to replace Jadon Canady , who was great for the Ducks this past year. I am also intrigued by Na'eem Offord, who could play in the nickel or out wide, as well as true freshman Davon Benjamin.

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon's defensive depth chart projection ahead of Ducks' Spring Game

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