Draft Scout Oregon Player News, College Football: Oregon

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Draft Scout College Football Player News: Oregon

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09/11/21 - CJ Verdell, rSr/2022, Oregon + More +

C.J. Verdell watched on TV last week as Minnesota's Mohamed Ibrahim shredded Ohio State's disheveled defense early. The Oregon running back thought he could take advantage in the same fashion. Verdell, who has struggled with injuries the past two seasons, made it happen. He ran for 161 yards and scored three touchdowns as shorthanded No. 12 Oregon stunned No. 3 Ohio State 35-28 on Saturday. "We saw the Minnesota running back was having a good game, and we wanted to do the same thing," the 5-foot-8, 211-pound Verdell said.

Verdell and quarterback Anthony Brown exploited holes in Ohio State's defense and handed the Buckeyes their first regular-season loss in nearly three years and the first of third-year coach Ryan Day's tenure. The Buckeyes' last loss in the regular season came at Purdue in October 2018 under Urban Meyer. Ohio State (1-1, 1-0 Big Ten) never led the game it was favored to win by 14 1/2 points despite gaudy numbers from freshman quarterback C.J. Stroud. Its front seven struggled to contain Verdell, control the edge and get after Brown in front. "They quickly adapted and just played with grit and toughness, knowing this was going to be a slugfest," Oregon coach Mario Cristobal said. - Oregon/AP College Football

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RB CJ Verdell, Oregon
News Source: Oregon/AP College Football
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09/09/21 - Bo Nix, rSr/2024, Oregon + More +

All it took was one game for Auburn to enter the national rankings under first-year head coach Bryan Harsin. After starting the season unranked, Auburn debuted at No. 25 in the latest AP top 25 following its 60-10 dismantling of Akron in the team's season opener at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Auburn is one of six SEC teams ranked in this week's AP top 25, joining top-ranked Alabama, No. 2 Georgia (which moved up three spots after its season-opening win against Clemson), No. 5 Texas A&M, No. 13 Florida and No. 20 Ole Miss. LSU, which was ranked in the preseason AP poll, fell out of the top 25 following its loss at UCLA in Week 1. Auburn's entrance into the AP top 25 marks the earliest for the team under a first-year head coach in program history. - Birmingham News

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QB Bo Nix, Oregon
News Source: Birmingham News
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09/04/21 - Bo Nix, rSr/2024, Oregon + More +

Bo Nix passed for 275 yards and three touchdowns in just over a half, and Auburn gave new coach Bryan Harsin a 60-10 cakewalk in his debut against Akron Saturday night in the season opener for both teams. It was a promising beginning even if it came against five-touchdown underdogs, especially for an offense and quarterback that had drawn some criticism the past couple of years. It was the most points for an Auburn coaching debut. "Today was an example of what we're capable of doing if we go out there and play good football," said Harsin, who returned to the office from COVID-19 on Monday. "And that's been the message for a while is just playing good ball, taking care of it, doing things in situational football where we execute." Nix was nearly flawless his first time running the offense of Harsin and coordinator Mike Bobo, going 20-of-22 passing while hitting a couple of wide-open receivers for touchdowns.

He set the Auburn record for highest completion percentage (90.9) in a game with a minimum of 20 attempts. Nix said the reason for that level of execution was easy to explain: The offensive line play. "It's up front and they started running the ball really well early and that opened everything up," Nix said. "And they kind of had their way tonight." Auburn sprinted to a 37-0 halftime lead and scored on its first eight drives, reaching the end zone on seven of them. - Auburn/AP College Football

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QB Bo Nix, Oregon
News Source: Auburn/AP College Football
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09/04/21 - Anthony Brown Jr., rSr/2022, Oregon + More +

Anthony Brown Jr. was blunt about No. 11 Oregon's offensive struggles against Fresno State. "It wasn't clean enough," he said. Brown scored on a 30-yard quarterback keeper with 2:57 left and the Ducks overcame a wobbly season opener with a 31-24 victory over the Bulldogs on Saturday. Oregon jumped to a 21-6 lead, but Fresno State scored two unanswered touchdowns to tie the game midway through the third quarter, then took the lead early in the fourth on Abraham Montano's field goal.

Camden Lewis kicks a 25-yard game-tying field goal before Brown's go-ahead touchdown. The performance was somewhat concerning given the Ducks face No. 4 Ohio State next weekend. "In order for us to go where we need to go, we have to be firing on all cylinders, which we weren't today. And that was obvious," Brown said. "We're going to see it on the tape, fix what we need to we need to fix and move on and progress from it." Brown threw for 172 yards and a touchdown while running for 62 yards and the winner. It was Oregon's 17th straight home-opening victory. Brown, a sixth-year senior, transferred to Oregon last year from Boston College but was backup to Tyler Shough until getting playing time in the Pac-12 title game and the Fiesta Bowl. Shough transferred to Texas Tech in the offseason. - Oregon/AP College Football

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QB Anthony Brown Jr., Oregon
News Source: Oregon/AP College Football
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09/04/21 - *Kayvon Thibodeaux, rSo/2022, Oregon + More +

Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux injured his left ankle in Saturday's game against Fresno State and did not play in the second half. Thibodeaux, mentioned as a possible Heisman Trophy candidate this season, was injured in the first half of No. 11 Oregon's season opener. He returned after having the ankle taped. The 6-foot-5, 258-pound, third-year sophomore emerged from halftime wearing street clothes and a walking boot on his left leg. Oregon coach Mario Cristobal said after the game that it appeared to be a sprain and that X-Rays were negative. "We're very optimistic that it's nothing too serious," Cristobal said.

Oregon survived a challenge from the Bulldogs but emerged with a 31-24 win. Before he was hurt, Thibodeaux had two solo tackles and a sack. "That's one of the best players in the country right there, probably the best player in the country right there," center Alex Forsyth said. "So it's always a tough to see a guy who's a true leader, a high-level competitor, and just such an unbelievable player with an unbelievable motor, to see him go down. It's terrible because he makes such a huge difference on our defense." Thibodeaux is projected to be among the top picks in the 2022 NFL draft should he decide to leave Oregon early. - AP College Football

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DE *Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
News Source: AP College Football
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09/03/21 - Jestin Jacobs, rSr/2025, Oregon + More +

Iowa fans remember linebacker Jestin Jacobs from his recruitment in 2019. Then, the four-star Army All-American spurned in-state power Ohio State in favor of the Hawkeyes. Since then, he's grown in more ways than one. He's physically bigger, but he's grown from a fan favorite to a team favorite among coaches and players. This year, the redshirt sophomore is set to break out on the field with big expectations. He's one of the three starting linebackers alongside Seth Benson and Jack Campbell, and he's working at the linebacker/safety hybrid "cash" position with Dane Belton. Wherever he lines up this fall, he'll be a welcomed weapon in Phil Parker's defense. "He's got great football instinct, great eyes and great feet," veteran defensive back Riley Moss said. "He's just a big dude. His arms are long. He takes up a lot of space, which helps us out in the back end, if they're running crossers and meshes; he can sit underneath those. It helps out he's got that natural IQ, kind of a football baller." - Iowa City Press-Citizen

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OLB Jestin Jacobs, Oregon
News Source: Iowa City Press-Citizen
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09/01/21 - Troy Franklin, Jr/2024, Oregon + More +

One of Oregon's heralded freshmen receivers earned a starting job to open the season. Troy Franklin will start at the X receiver spot for the No. 11 Ducks against Fresno State on Saturday (11 a.m., Pac-12 Network). Franklin beat out Isaah Crocker and Devon Williams, who was limited for a significant amount of fall camp, for the job. "Troy has done a great job proving himself as a guy that we feel can win football games here," Oregon coach Mario Cristobal said. "(He's) practicing at a high level. Got here in January, putting the right kind of investment in the weight room, in his body, his development physically and mentally, and made a lot of plays in practice. "Devon is working through some things, was limited earlier in camp and is working to - he's still going to be a contributor and I'm sure he'll work his way to a more prominent role and that's what we expect of him." One of Oregon's mid-year enrollees, Franklin led the Ducks with four receptions for 93 yards in the spring game and continued performing at a high level in camp. He was among the players of the day after multiple practices. - The Oregonian

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WR Troy Franklin, Oregon
News Source: The Oregonian
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08/28/21 - Anthony Brown Jr., rSr/2022, Oregon + More +

Anthony Brown was officially announced as Oregon's starting quarterback Friday afternoon, getting the expected nod over a trio of freshmen who continue to compete for the backup role. "He's a starter because he's done a great job and the others are battling for that other spot because they've done a great job as well," coach Mario Cristobal said after Friday's practice in Autzen Stadium. "It's not a matter of great performance versus poor performance, they've all developed under (offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead) and the system. Proud of them and want to see them keep competing." Brown, a sixth-year senior who started 28 games in four years at Boston College before transferring to Oregon in 2020, was Tyler Shough's backup last season.

Brown played in the Pac-12 championship game and Fiesta Bowl last season and was a combined 15-of-23 passing for 164 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed seven times for 40 yards and two scores. His first start as a Duck will be against Fresno State at Auzten Stadium on Sept. 4. Brown came into the fall as the projected starter and spent the last three weeks securing his standing. "The way he handles himself and has control of command of the offense, his presence amongst the players, at the line of scrimmage. his ability to improvise, sometimes negotiate throws in tough situations, his ability to run the ball as well," Cristobal said when asked how Brown separated himself. "His explosive-play ratio has been high against a defense we feel is really good." - Register Guard

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QB Anthony Brown Jr., Oregon
News Source: Register Guard
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08/28/21 - Jamal Hill, rSr/2024, Oregon + More +

Oregon Ducks defensive backs Jamal Hill and DJ James have been reinstated to the team for practice but will not play in the season opener against Fresno State after missing three weeks of preseason practice following their alleged involvement in shooting an airsoft gun in downtown Eugene earlier this month. Hill and James, both third-year sophomores, were back with the team for its Friday practice at Autzen Stadium. "They're practicing with us and they will not be available for the Fresno State game," Oregon coach Mario Cristobal said.

With James and Hill both officially out for the first game, Oregon will turn to fifth-year junior Bennett Williams to start at nickel and either third-year freshman Trikweze Bridges or second-year freshman Dontae Manning to start at boundary corner. The competition between Bridges and Manning will continue into game week, said Cristobal, who earlier in the week said both would play in the game. Hill and James were both charged in municipal court on Tuesday with two counts of reckless endangering, two counts of disorderly conduct and unlawful discharge of a firearm for their alleged shooting of an airsoft gun on Aug. 3 in downtown Eugene. - The Oregonian

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OLB Jamal Hill, Oregon
News Source: The Oregonian
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08/27/21 - Mase Funa, rSr/2024, Oregon + More +

As Oregon's strong-side linebacker, Mase Funa's job is to set the edge of the defense, a task made difficult by opposing offensive tackles and tight ends. As the field-side edge defender, Funa is responsible for cutting down what can be a vast amount of grass for the opposing offense to utilize. "It's a huge role with all that space with the offense has to work on with the field," Funa said. "I try to make it easier on everybody else on the defense to try to set the edge so the running back or the quarterback doesn't have too much space to work with when it comes to running the ball." It's a responsibility Funa has done well in his first two seasons with the Ducks, with 31 tackles including 3.5 for loss in seven games last season.

He was even more disruptive as a freshman, with 8.5 tackles for loss with four sacks, and with a full season and different defensive scheme under Tim DeRuyter, Funa could see more opportunities to get into the backfield against the run as well as the pass. "He's always been a great striker and it's showing up really well," Oregon coach Mario Cristobal said. "He sets edges like very few people do; he can get hands on a tight end, he can take on double teams with tackles and tight ends or tight ends and wings. Set edges, turn the run back and he's also slippery in the pass game as well. Got a great power rush, he's really developed his speed and explosiveness." - The Oregonian

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DE Mase Funa, Oregon
News Source: The Oregonian
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08/27/21 - Bo Nix, rSr/2024, Oregon + More +

Bo Nix's first two seasons at Auburn have been dotted with criticism - at times warranted and at others a stretch. Nix, a starter for all 24 of his career games, has heard it all and has always tried to drown it out. But he knows it's there, and it likely always will be, to some extent, regardless of how he performs on the field. "In college, I feel like no matter what side you're on, you could get bad-mouthed and criticized," Nix said. "It goes with the territory. I knew coming to Auburn what I was going to face. I knew it was going to be difficult...So, each and every time, every moment of criticism, you've just got to reflect on where you are and what you're doing." For Nix, the where is simple: He's entering his junior year at Auburn, his third season as the Tigers' starting quarterback - and with a third different offensive coordinator (Mike Bobo), a new head coach (Bryan Harsin) and a considerably different offensive system.

As for what he's doing? The former five-star is aiming to put two seasons of inconsistency behind him and take that next step forward at quarterback. Since being named Auburn's starting quarterback as a true freshman in 2019, beating out Malik Willis and Joey Gatewood over the course of spring and fall practices that year, Nix's time as QB1 has been a rollercoaster ride. He has delivered some indelible highs, like his game-winning touchdown pass against Oregon in his first career game, as well as one last season against Ole Miss. There have also been the frustrating lows, like his three-interception performances in road losses to Florida and South Carolina the last two seasons. His performance has often oscillated between good-to-great and mediocre, as he has completed 58.7 percent of his career passes - yet to eclipse the 60 percent mark in a season - for 4,957 yards, 28 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. - Birmingham News

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QB Bo Nix, Oregon
News Source: Birmingham News
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08/26/21 - Johnny Johnson III, rSr/2022, Oregon + More +

Johnny Johnson III was the last Oregon Ducks player to leave the field after the Fiesta Bowl. It could have been the final college game for the wide receiver. "Seeing that confetti go in the air and it wasn't us celebrating, I think that sat with me the wrong way," Johnson said. "I was taking everything in for my decision and ultimately that helped make my decision because I didn't want to end that way as a Duck. I want to do great things here." Johnson, who had 19 receptions for 267 yards and two touchdowns in the shortened 2020 season, chose to come back for one more. Even among Oregon's super seniors he's one of just three to have spent their entire career at UO.

And he's the most accomplished of the group, boasting 114 career catches for 1,617 yards and 14 touchdowns, while emerging as one of two Pac-12 players with 100 receptions, 1,500 receiving yards and 10 TDs. "Johnny's played so much ball," receivers coach Bryan McClendon said. "His attention to detail and his attitude and his approach to every single day is really, really, really great to have. Not just for my room but for the team in general." Johnson has played all of the receiver roles for the Ducks and that versatility is part of what allows him to stay on the field regardless of Oregon's personnel package. Having a defined spot could be preferable, but Johnson said he'll "play any of them." Ducks cornerback Dontae Manning called Johnson a "technician" and said he's the toughest matchup in practice. "He breaks everything down," Manning said. "No wasted movement, no false step, gets in and out of the breaks, good hands, great speed." - The Oregonian

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WR Johnny Johnson III, Oregon
News Source: The Oregonian
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08/25/21 - Jeffrey Bassa, Sr/2025, Oregon + More +

It's difficult not to notice Jeff Bassa on the football field. At 6-foot-2 and 217 pounds, the freshman is Oregon's biggest defensive back and a natural fit at the nickel position. "When he first got here, looked like he should play linebacker - still looks like that but he moves like he can play DB now," fellow nickel Bennett Williams said. "That's the work that he's put in, that's a testament to it." Bassa enrolled early and got to learn Tim DeRuyter's defense during the spring, which he capped off by making three tackles during the spring game.

"I feel like that helped me a lot, coming in learning the playbook, going through the fourth quarter program and getting along with the coaches," Bassa said. "Getting used to the college environment and going through classes has helped me a lot since now I can go through fall camp comfortably and play how I want to." He said safeties coach Marcel Yates taught him the finer points of the communication and coordination in the secondary, which are much different and more advanced than in high school. Bassa delivered with a pass breakup during an early practice in camp. "Jeff is already super developed even physically and mentally," field safety Verone McKinley III said. "He's picking the defense up, he's flying around, he's understanding where he needs to be." - The Oregonian

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ILB Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon
News Source: The Oregonian
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08/23/21 - Patrick Herbert, rSr/2025, Oregon + More +

Oregon has lost a tight end due to injury. Third-year freshman Patrick Herbert, who missed the 2020 due to a knee injury, suffered another knee injury during Saturday night's practice at Autzen Stadium and is out indefinitely. "It's a good knee injury, so he'll be down for a while," Oregon coach Mario Cristobal said. "With DJ (Johnson) joining us again and the way that Cam (McCormick) is coming around, we feel good about the depth there, but certainly going to miss Patrick because he was playing great football for us. "Really after coming off of a knee injury, he had been playing really well; more physical, running routes was really well, has always had great hands. After being here a couple of years he was getting accustomed to playing at a high level. Overall the group has good depth and we feel good about them." Herbert has played in just one game, against Nevada in 2019, in his career. He was UO's No. 2 tight end this offseason and worked with the starting offense, including making a pair of eight-yard catches during the spring game. - The Oregonian

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TE Patrick Herbert, Oregon
News Source: The Oregonian
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08/22/21 - Bo Nix, rSr/2024, Oregon + More +

Auburn will begin the Bryan Harsin era ranked outside the top-25 in the AP poll. The Tigers were unranked in the preseason AP poll, which was released Monday morning, but they were among the top teams outside the top 25 to receives votes. Auburn was fifth among the "others receiving votes" in the poll, placing the Tigers ostensibly ranked 30th in the country heading into the 2021 season. Five SEC teams are ranked in the preseason AP poll, including No. 1 Alabama, No. 5 Georgia, No. 6 Texas A&M, No. 13 Florida and No. 16 LSU. Auburn faces four of those teams this season, with the Tide and Bulldogs visiting Jordan-Hare Stadium on Nov. 27 and Oct. 9, respectively, while the program will travel to both Baton Rouge, La., on Oct. 2 and College Station, Texas, on Nov. 6. - Birmingham News

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