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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

(DS#4 ILB) Sr/2025

ILB Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon
News Source: The Oregonian
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08/23/21 - Patrick Herbert, rSr/2025, Oregon, 6-5, 249 (DS#35 TE) + 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

(DS#35 TE) rSr/2025

TE Patrick Herbert, Oregon
News Source: The Oregonian
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08/22/21 - Bo Nix, rSr/2024, Oregon, 6-2, 214 (DS#6 QB) + 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

(DS#6 QB) rSr/2024

QB Bo Nix, Oregon
News Source: Birmingham News
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08/22/21 - *Noah Sewell, rSo/2023, Oregon, 6-2, 246 (DS#4 ILB) + More +

It hasn't taken new defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter long to become enamored with one of the young stars he inherited when former DC Andy Avalos left for Boise State. Second-year freshman inside linebacker Noah Sewell, the 2020 Pac-12 defensive freshman of the year, has been a standout performer during the first two weeks of fall camp. "I think Noah's practicing as good as anybody on our defense right now," DeRuyter raved. "Every time we turn that tape on, whether it's guys making strip attempts to take the ball away, whether it's guys pursuing the football, whether it's guys finishing a tackle, he's almost always on the example tape. I think it's just a really nice testament to him and (co-defensive coordinator/inside linebackers coach Ken Wilson) getting him to that point."

As a true freshman, the 6-3, 251-pound Sewell led the Ducks in tackles last season with 45 and led all Pac-12 freshmen in tackles for loss (6.5) and sacks (2.0). Of course, DeRuyter knew all this when he took the Oregon job in December. Watching it live in the spring and again now, remains impressive. "The intensity with which he practices at really sets a high standard for everybody else and sets that bar where everybody has to go play at his level," DeRuyter said. - Register Guard

(DS#4 ILB) rSo/2023

ILB *Noah Sewell, Oregon
News Source: Register Guard
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08/21/21 - Dillon Gabriel, rSr/2025, Oregon, 5-11, 205 (DS#12 QB) + More +

UCF quarterback Dillon Gabriel, offensive lineman Sam Jackson, wide receiver Brandon Johnson and defensive end Big Kat Bryant were named team captains for the upcoming football season. The four players were voted captains by a team vote earlier this week, according to coach Gus Malzahn. Gabriel is set to begin his third season as the Knights starting quarterback, totaling more than 7,223 passing yards and 61 touchdowns during his career. Jackson, a redshirt senior, is among six returning starters on the offensive line this season, while Johnson is a graduate transfer from Tennessee, who appeared in 32 games during his career with the Volunteers. Bryant is a graduate transfer from Auburn who arrived in June after appearing in 36 games for the Tigers during his college career. - Orlando Sentinel

(DS#12 QB) rSr/2025

QB Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
News Source: Orlando Sentinel
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08/18/21 - Troy Franklin, Jr/2024, Oregon, 6-2, 176 (DS#8 WR) + More +

Arrived in time for spring practice with the intention of changing the run-first culture for which the Ducks are known, and began making inroads on that quest right away. Had four catches for 93 yards in the spring game, and was cited by coach Mario Cristobal for looking like a veteran by the time fall camp opened. At 6-foot-2 and 170 pounds, he appears to be in line for a starting spot on the outside on a team loaded with freshmen talent. - AP College Football

(DS#8 WR) Jr/2024

WR Troy Franklin, Oregon
News Source: AP College Football
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08/17/21 - CJ Verdell, rSr/2022, Oregon, 5-08, 202 (DS#26 RB) + More +

Oregon will open the 2021 season ranked in the top 15 of the coaches poll. The Ducks are No. 12 in the preseason poll released Tuesday with 842 points, highest among Pac-12 teams. Starting the season ranked for the 13th time in 14 seasons, Oregon went 4-3 last season and won its second straight Pac-12 Championship. The Ducks are scheduled to play two other ranked teams: No. 4 Ohio State and No. 21 Washington. No. 14 USC was also ranked from the Pac-12 and Utah, Arizona State, UCLA, Stanford and Call all received votes. - The Oregonian

(DS#26 RB) rSr/2022

RB CJ Verdell, Oregon
News Source: The Oregonian
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08/16/21 - Bo Nix, rSr/2024, Oregon, 6-2, 214 (DS#6 QB) + More +

The USA Today football coaches' poll was released Tuesday and Auburn was left unranked outside the top 25. It's the first time Auburn's been unranked in the preseason coaches' poll since 2016. Rival Alabama is No. 1 and rival Georgia is No. 5. Outside expectations are low for Auburn now in its first season under Bryan Harsin. The media picked Auburn to finish fifth in the SEC West at SEC Media Days, which would be Auburn's worst finish in the division since 2015. Auburn was ranked No. 11 in the coaches' poll going into the 2020 season. The Tigers were ranked No. 16 going into 2019, No. 10 going into 2018 and No. 13 going into 2017. - Opelika-Auburn News

(DS#6 QB) rSr/2024

QB Bo Nix, Oregon
News Source: Opelika-Auburn News
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08/14/21 - Dontae Manning, rSr/2025, Oregon, 5-11, 184 (DS#55 CB) + More +

Oregon's depth at nickel and boundary cornerback is being tested early in fall camp amid the indefinite suspensions of Jamal Hill and DJ James. The players who were behind the returning and projected starters, including Dontae Manning and Bennett Williams with the first-team and true freshmen Jaylin Davies and Jeffrey Bassa with the second-team, have gotten positive reviews in their first two days of fall camp. "Those four guys in the first two days have really done a nice job," defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter said. "They had opportunities to make some plays and they've made them. It's fun to see Dontae really jump in, get more reps so that you can see the explosiveness out of his cuts. Jeff Bassa had a chance to have his hand on a ball yesterday. Bennett Williams really understands, is starting to play fast now. I think he's starting to play with more confidence. Jaylin, he's starting to figure it out a little bit more. When you first come in as a freshman, it all comes at your fast. "All those guys got to step up for us because in football you never know who's got to be called up." Manning and Williams each ended the spring with the first-team defense. After missing last season due to injury, Manning had four tackles with an interception during the spring game. Williams had two tackles and a pass breakup in the May 1 scrimmage. - The Oregonian

(DS#55 CB) rSr/2025

CB Dontae Manning, Oregon
News Source: The Oregonian
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08/14/21 - Suaava Poti, rJr/2025, Oregon, 6-2, 283 (DS#999 DT) + More +

With changes coming at both interior defensive tackle spots, two inexperienced players have made the most of the first two practices. Third-year freshman Sua'ava Poti and second-year freshman Jayson Jones, neither of whom saw game action in 2020, have each stood out during the first two helmets-only practices of fall camp. "I can say (Friday) Sua'ava had a great day," Oregon coach Mario Cristobal said. "Not a good day, a great day. Got himself to 293 pounds. Always a lot of pride in the way he's worked and he looks strong, he looked explosive, he was finishing drills, he was encouraging others. That popped. Jayson and Kristian (Williams) are two guys that are young guys with a lot of potential."

If the weight Cristobal referenced is current, Poti is up 14 pounds from his listed weight entering last season. It's also much more in line with what's needed for a nose tackle playing as either a 0 technique over the center or 2 or 2i technique over a guard or into the A gap. "He's done a nice job of transforming his body, getting a little thicker, still is really explosive player," defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter said. "The last couple of days in pass rush (Poti) has really shown up." - The Oregonian

(DS#999 DT) rJr/2025

DT Suaava Poti, Oregon
News Source: The Oregonian
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08/10/21 - Dontae Manning, rSr/2025, Oregon, 5-11, 184 (DS#55 CB) + More +

In light of DJ James and Jamal Hill facing charges from allegedly shooting an airsoft gun at three people Tuesday night in downtown Eugene, suddenly there's some uncertainty in the secondary. Manning was behind James in the spring and had four tackles and an interception while with the starting defense during the spring game. If James is facing the loss of playing time, Manning could end up opening the season as the starter at boundary cornerback. - The Oregonian

(DS#55 CB) rSr/2025

CB Dontae Manning, Oregon
News Source: The Oregonian
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08/10/21 - Jamal Hill, rSr/2024, Oregon, 6-0, 216 (DS#16 OLB) + More +

Dealing with a Friday news dump wasn't the way Mario Cristobal wanted to get fall camp kicked off. Following Oregon's first practice at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex, the fourth-year coach announced that projected defensive starters Jamal Hill and DJ James have been suspended from the team indefinitely. Hill and James are each facing potential criminal charges following an alleged shooting of an airsoft gun from a moving vehicle that struck a person in the face Tuesday night in downtown Eugene.

They did not participate in the Friday morning practice. "Those guys are indefinitely suspended until further notice," Cristobal said. When asked a follow-up question about a possible timetable for the return of Hill and James before the Sept. 4 opener against Fresno State, Cristobal said: "That's the only response I have to that." Hill had two interceptions in Oregon's win over USC in the Pac-12 championship game. The sophomore safety from Rex, Ga., earned all-Pac-12 honorable mention last season. - Register Guard

(DS#16 OLB) rSr/2024

OLB Jamal Hill, Oregon
News Source: Register Guard
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08/06/21 - Dillon Gabriel, rSr/2025, Oregon, 5-11, 205 (DS#12 QB) + More +

UCF has been picked to finish second in the American Athletic Conference preseason media poll, snapping a two-season streak of being the favorite. The Knights, who received 241 points and two first-place votes, finished behind Cincinnati, which was the overwhelming favorite with 22 first-place votes. The Bearcats are coming off a conference championship and a spot in the New Year's Six Access Bowl. The preseason favorite has gone on to claim at least a piece of the AAC championship in just two of the past eight seasons. UCF is coming off a 6-4 season in 2020 and hired a new coach in Gus Malzahn in February. The team returns 16 starters, including quarterback Dillon Gabriel. - Orlando Sentinel

(DS#12 QB) rSr/2025

QB Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
News Source: Orlando Sentinel
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08/06/21 - Patrick Herbert, rSr/2025, Oregon, 6-5, 249 (DS#35 TE) + More +

Patrick Herbert is still technically a freshman in eligibility but close to a senior academically. The former Sheldon High standout is finally healthy and ready to contribute entering his third fall camp at Oregon. As a true freshman in 2019, Herbert made his debut against Nevada but utilized his redshirt while his older brother, Justin Herbert, led the Ducks to a Pac-12 championship and Rose Bowl victory. An injury during the second week of the 2020 fall camp prevented the youngest Herbert brother from playing at all last season, which did not count on the eligibility clock.

Herbert, a third-year freshman still seeking his first college reception, is closing in on a degree in sociology with plans to obtain a master's in education. So does the 6-foot-5 tight end feel like a veteran leader or a rookie entering the start of fall camp Friday? "A little bit of both," Herbert said. "School-wise, I'm almost done. But football-wise, I haven't even really got started. It's a weird thing." The good news for Herbert is the 2020 season was strange for everyone as the Ducks finished 4-3 overall with head-scratching losses to California and Oregon State, but still won a Pac-12 championship. - Register Guard

(DS#35 TE) rSr/2025

TE Patrick Herbert, Oregon
News Source: Register Guard
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08/04/21 - Jaylon Redd, rSr/2022, Oregon, 5-08, 170 (DS#999 WR) + More +

Every receiver who contributed for Oregon in 2020 is back this fall and three heralded freshmen join them. That's why the Ducks should see greater production and consistency in the passing game this season. More targets, bigger targets and improved targets. Johnny Johnson III and Jaylon Redd are two of UO's eight super seniors and enter their final seasons as presumptive starters but also with stronger competition than a year ago. Mycah Pittman will clearly be a major contributor, as will Devon Williams. Freshmen Troy Franklin and Dont'e Thornton flashed during the spring and will contribute immediately. - The Oregonian

(DS#999 WR) rSr/2022

WR Jaylon Redd, Oregon
News Source: The Oregonian
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