Draft Scout Warning: Undefined variable $TeamName in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\notesteam.php on line 20 Player News, College Football: Warning: Undefined variable $TeamName in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\notesteam.php on line 20

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

(DS#16 OLB) rSr/2024

OLB Jamal Hill, Oregon
News Source: The Oregonian
Share/Comment: Here

08/27/21 - Mase Funa, rSr/2024, Oregon, 6-2, 254 (DS#44 DE) + 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

(DS#44 DE) rSr/2024

DE Mase Funa, Oregon
News Source: The Oregonian
Share/Comment: Here

08/27/21 - Bo Nix, rSr/2024, Oregon, 6-2, 214 (DS#6 QB) + 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

(DS#6 QB) rSr/2024

QB Bo Nix, Oregon
News Source: Birmingham News
Share/Comment: Here

08/26/21 - Johnny Johnson III, rSr/2022, Oregon, 6-0, 196 (DS#50 WR) + 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

(DS#50 WR) rSr/2022

WR Johnny Johnson III, Oregon
News Source: The Oregonian
Share/Comment: Here

08/25/21 - Jeffrey Bassa, Sr/2025, Oregon, 6-1, 232 (DS#4 ILB) + 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

(DS#4 ILB) Sr/2025

ILB Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon
News Source: The Oregonian
Share/Comment: Here

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
Share/Comment: Here

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
Share/Comment: Here

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
Share/Comment: Here

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
Share/Comment: Here

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
Share/Comment: Here

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
Share/Comment: Here

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
Share/Comment: Here

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
Share/Comment: Here

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
Share/Comment: Here

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
Share/Comment: Here

Previous 15 Notes

|Back to Page One|

Next 15 Notes

Warning: Undefined array key "TeamID" in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\2020rightcolteam.php on line 56

Warning: Undefined array key "DSTeamID" in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\2020rightcolteam.php on line 57

Oregon Football Videos

Buy Draft Scout Weekly

** Draft Scout Data **
(Everything Online PLUS)

Support Draft Scout

The Database Engine for NFLDraftScout.com, Draft Scout is being repurposed...Support the Future Development of ScoutNation.com...

Draft Scout Archives

** 2010-2022 Draft Scout Archives **
(Yearly Player Data Exports, Prospect Lists & More)

Draft Scout Future

100% Dedicated and Never Done

80% Innovated

45% Hidden

35% Built

2025 CFB/2025-2029 NFL Draft Scout

2024 CFB/2024-2028 NFL Draft Scout

2023 CFB/2024-2027 NFL Draft Scout

NFL Draft Scout History

2022 Draft Scout

Draft Scout by Conference

2023 Draft Scout Offense

2023 Draft Scout Defense

2022 Draft Scout Offense

2022 Draft Scout Defense

Oregon Football Videos

Buy Draft Scout Weekly

Support Draft Scout

Draft Scout Archives

Draft Scout Future

Synergization

Did You Know?

Hidden Designs

Future Development