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

Kayvon Thibodeaux wore a microphone during last Saturday's scrimmage at Autzen Stadium. In a video released by Oregon, one of the better mic'd up moments was from the star defensive end/outside linebacker's interaction with Noah Sewell. "Hey, Noah, live means tackle, not kill," Thibodeaux said. Even in a controlled practice setting, where players are encouraged not to tackle their teammates to the ground, Sewell was sending bodies to the turf throughout his time on the field, including the menacing middle linebacker's violent takedown of running back Travis Dye. Playing every snap aggressively is about to pay off in a big way for Sewell's brother, former Oregon left tackle Penei Sewell, who is expected to be a top-10 pick in next Thursday's NFL draft. The apple didn't fall far from the football family tree for the younger Sewell.

"That person across from you, I'm trying to pursue my dreams, and he's the only one stopping me from pursuing my dreams," Sewell said of his relentless approach during a Zoom with the local media Thursday. Sewell was a five-star recruit and lived up to the billing by earning Pac-12 defensive freshman of the year and Football Writers Association of American freshman all-American honors in 2020 after finishing tied for the team lead with 45 tackles, including a team-high 24 solo stops. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound second-year freshman is expected to have a starring role for new defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter. "We're going to have guys like Noah, a traditional inside linebacker, but we're also going to have him up at the line of scrimmage and bring him off edges," DeRuyter said. - Register Guard

(DS#4 ILB) rSo/2023

ILB *Noah Sewell, Oregon
News Source: Register Guard
Share/Comment: Here

04/23/21 - Bo Nix, rSr/2024, Oregon, 6-2, 214 (DS#6 QB) + More +

The spring forced some adjustments for all the quarterbacks given Bobo's offense has them under center much more than the previous offense did. According to Bobo, it was Nix who handled that transition the best early on. Bobo praised Nix back on March 22 for the way the quarterback has worked, and he noted how Nix is always asking a lot of questions when he's in the room with his new play-caller and the other quarterbacks. The new offensive coordinator also stressed improving Nix's footwork and his understanding of his passing progressions through the team's 15 spring practices. Harsin made sure to lend a helping hand with Nix as well.

During the Tigers' open practice on March 20, Harsin was seen regularly consulting with Nix after plays, likely discussing what Nix saw and the outcome of each attempt. Bobo made sure to not put too much on Davis given it was his first spring, but he said the newest Auburn quarterback has a strong arm and a good throwing motion. Auburn's spring game offered little surprise as far as the breakdown of the quarterbacks. Nix led the first-team offense and ended the afternoon with a 12-of-20 passing line for 112 yards and one touchdown. Loy had the second-most passing attempts (12), Davis had three attempts - as well as an impressive head fake that led to a 10-yard scramble - and Garnett had one. - Opelika-Auburn News

(DS#6 QB) rSr/2024

QB Bo Nix, Oregon
News Source: Opelika-Auburn News
Share/Comment: Here

04/20/21 - Anthony Brown Jr., rSr/2022, Oregon, 6-1, 217 (DS#18 QB) + More +

Brown, the sixth-year senior, has taken all of the first-team snaps and clearly has the best grasp of second-year offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead's playbook. Without the opportunity to compete last spring and with an abbreviated fall camp, Brown wasn't able to beat out Tyler Shough at quarterback last season. After they split snaps in the Pac-12 championship and Fiesta Bowl, Shough transferred to Texas Tech and Brown became the favorite to be Oregon's starter in 2021. "I love AB," running back CJ Verdell said when asked about Brown last week. "He's a real leader on and off the field, does a great job of rallying everybody, making sure he knows everybody, building a good bond and chemistry with all the players, especially on the offense. "Even last year when Tyler was the main guy, and (Brown) was backing him up, he was still doing the same things. The transition was very natural for him." Jay Butterfield appears to have the strongest arm and the best pocket presence among the three freshmen quarterbacks. He threw a touchdown pass to Terrance Ferguson in the 2-minute drill to finish Saturday's scrimmage strong. - Register Guard

(DS#18 QB) rSr/2022

QB Anthony Brown Jr., Oregon
News Source: Register Guard
Share/Comment: Here

04/20/21 - Bo Nix, rSr/2024, Oregon, 6-2, 214 (DS#6 QB) + More +

Bo Nix didn't light things up on A-Day; he didn't have to put up gaudy numbers in a glorified scrimmage - but he did show progress in a key area that first-year head coach Bryan Harsin has harped on throughout the spring: his decision-making with the ball in his hands. Nix completed 12-of-20 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown during Auburn's annual A-Day spring game, adding another 29 yards on five carries while displaying improved decision-making in running the Tigers' new-look offense. "We've seen Bo's got escapability, and we know he can throw it, but I thought he made good decisions," Harsin said. "...Overall, his efficiency in making decisions was one (thing that stood out)."

Nix has progressed in his first spring under Harsin and new offensive coordinator Mike Bobo while familiarizing himself with his third different offensive system in as many years at Auburn. In what has been a critical spring for his development, the third-year starter showed a firm understanding of the Tigers' base offense during Saturday's spring game, which represented a culmination of everything the new staff has thrown at Nix this spring. - Birmingham News

(DS#6 QB) rSr/2024

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

04/14/21 - Verone McKinley III, rJr/2022, Oregon, 5-10, 192 (DS#6 FS) + More +

Oregon completed its fifth spring football practice Saturday, which is one more than the 2020 Ducks squeezed in before the pandemic shut everything down. Coach Mario Cristobal would still like to see a lot more before unveiling a quarterback depth chart. "Trying to get quarterback pecking order information out of me is like Fort Knox-type stuff," Cristobal said after Saturday's full-pad practice in Autzen Stadium. "So I'll hang onto that for a little bit longer and try to feed it out as it gets a little bit more clear." The "quarterback" of Oregon's secondary is already clearly defined.

Verone McKinley, a safety known for his thorough film study and knack for making big plays, is the leader on the back end of a defense that features All-American Kayvon Thibodeaux at the line of scrimmage and Isaac Slade-Matautia and Noah Sewell at inside linebacker. "I feel like I'm a general back there. I've got to be the guy," McKinley said. "I feel like I have that responsibility on my shoulders and I put it on my plate in order to make sure we're leading this defense." McKinley is a fourth-year sophomore after redshirting in 2018, earning freshman all-American honors from the Football Writers Association of America in 2019 and with eligibility frozen in 2020 due to the pandemic. During Oregon's 4-3 finish last season, the 5-foot-11, 196-pound McKinley was third on the team with 41 tackles. Slade-Matautia and Sewell finished with 45 tackles each. - Register Guard

(DS#6 FS) rJr/2022

FS Verone McKinley III, Oregon
News Source: Register Guard
Share/Comment: Here

04/11/21 - Johnny Johnson III, rSr/2022, Oregon, 6-0, 196 (DS#50 WR) + More +

Johnny Johnson thought playing in the Fiesta Bowl would be the perfect ending to his career at Oregon. The homecoming was supposed to be a full-circle moment for the senior wide receiver from Chandler, Ariz. Johnson led the team with four receptions, but the Ducks ended up on the wrong end of a 34-17 loss to Iowa State on Jan. 2 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. While watching the Cyclones celebrate their victory over the Pac-12 champions, Johnson started to think seriously about using the extra year of eligibility being offered by the NCAA. "The decision was weighing heavy on me, whether to come back or not," Johnson said Thursday. "Just seeing that confetti go in the air, and it wasn't us celebrating, I think that kind of just sat with me the wrong way. I was just kind of taking everything in for my decision. "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, along with fellow super senior Jaylon Redd, are leading what they believe could be a special wide receiver unit in 2021. - Register Guard

(DS#50 WR) rSr/2022

WR Johnny Johnson III, Oregon
News Source: Register Guard
Share/Comment: Here

04/09/21 - *Kayvon Thibodeaux, rSo/2022, Oregon, 6-4, 256 (DS#3 DE) + More +

It's amusing to hear the 6-foot-5, 250-pound Thibodeaux compare himself to Hill, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound nickel safety. Should Thibodeaux notch any interceptions in the fall, it won't be all that unusual for an edge player. Winning the Heisman Trophy would be, as only one defensive player has even done so and while others have gotten some early hype over the years, few outside of Ndamukong Suh, Manti Te'o and Tyrann Mathieu held on for consideration as the season continued. "I think it's very possible for a defensive player," Oregon coach Mario Cristobal said. "The thing about KT, he's a high achiever and he wants to be around guys that are into high achievement standards. He sees himself as limitless; we feel the same way. The sky is the limit for him. He played a year and really a half a season. His best football is still ahead of him.

"His body is continuing to grow larger, strong, more explosive, more flexible. His football IQ is continuing to increase. Coach DeRuyter has got a tremendous amount of experience, has coached some really high level edge players before. The combination of all those things with a guy that wants to win championships, it's exactly what you want for your football team. He's pushing himself, he's pushing others." Thibodeaux did drop into coverage at times last near, notably out of the dime package against UCLA, so it's not entirely a new concept for him. DeRuyter also made it clear that coverage isn't going to be Thibodeaux's primary assignment by any means, but more of an additional way to utilize his many skills. "Up front I really like our edges with Kayvon and Mase (Funa)," DeRuyter said. "I think they do a really nice job setting edges. They're guys that play in space. - The Oregonian

(DS#3 DE) rSo/2022

DE *Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
News Source: The Oregonian
Share/Comment: Here

04/09/21 - *Penei Sewell, Jr/2021, Oregon, 6-5, 331 (DS#1 OT) + More +

With quarterbacks expected to go with at least the top three picks in the draft and Cincinnati at No. 5, numerous projections have Sewell headed to the Bengals. With Taylor running one of the drills at Oregon's pro day, Sewell admitted to feeling some nerves at first but said being able to turn to his brother Gabe, a former linebacker at Nevada going through pro day at UO as well, helped. "At the end of the day, football is football for me," Sewell said. "Going out there clear-minded, not really getting those logos and those people's teams get over my head about that, not to overthink about that. At the end of the day, going out there and performing and doing what I do, being between those lines at pro day definitely brought a lot of memories."

Sewell felt people forgot about him a little bit after not playing last season and wanted to reaffirm that he's the best offensive tackle in this year's draft. The 2019 Outland Trophy winner and unanimous All-American felt his performance last week did that but above all, believes his film from albeit just 21 career college games, shows he's the best in class. "Go put on the tape," Sewell said. "Everybody go ahead and watch what I can do and nobody can do what I do in this draft in the offensive tackle rooms. I bring something totally different to the table and I think people know that. People will say whatever they want to say. All I have to say is put on the tape and watch me work." - The Oregonian

(DS#1 OT) Jr/2021

OT *Penei Sewell, Oregon
News Source: The Oregonian
Share/Comment: Here

04/08/21 - *Christian Gonzalez, rSo/2023, Oregon, 6-1, 197 (DS#2 CB) + More +

Last fall, Colorado coaches saw enough potential in Christian Gonzalez to throw him into the fire at cornerback. This spring, Gonzalez is still just 18 years old but is benefitting from the experience he got last season. "I do feel more confident, just after getting a regular season; well, half a regular season," Gonzalez said Monday after the Buffaloes' fourth practice of spring. "The game has slowed down a lot. Way more than going into last season out of high school, but it's great." Gonzalez, who turns 19 on June 28, came to CU from The Colony (Texas) High School last summer and earned a starting role in preseason camp. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCAA did not count last season towards eligibility, so Gonzalez will go into next season as a freshman again. Despite his youth, Gonzalez asserted himself during the brief season for the Buffs (4-2, 3-1 Pac-12). He started all six games and played nearly 90% of the defensive snaps, showing improvement from the start of the season to the end. "He's a good young player," CU head coach Karl Dorrell said. "I won't say (he played) outstanding, but I will say better than average job for a first-year player to come in here and play." - Daily Camera

(DS#2 CB) rSo/2023

CB *Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
News Source: Daily Camera
Share/Comment: Here

04/06/21 - Bo Nix, rSr/2024, Oregon, 6-2, 214 (DS#6 QB) + More +

Nix faced several true challenges leading up to his sophomore season in 2020, namely learning how to play under a new offensive coordinator despite a limited offseason due to the coronavirus pandemic. While those were unfavorable situations, they ultimately don't absolve Nix of having some of the same issues as a sophomore that he had as a freshman. The good news for Nix is he has two coaches in Harsin and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo who have built their reputations on developing effective quarterbacks. Bobo mentioned on March 22 that Nix is keying in on his footwork and his progressions, and during the Tigers' open practice on March 20 Harsin repeatedly took Nix aside and discussed several plays after the fact. Nix's talent is undeniable, but harnessing his ability and doing so consistently has yet to happen. The A-Day scrimmage should offer an early glimpse at Harsin and Bobo's early influence on Nix. - Opelika-Auburn News

(DS#6 QB) rSr/2024

QB Bo Nix, Oregon
News Source: Opelika-Auburn News
Share/Comment: Here

04/04/21 - Jonah Tauanuu, rSo/2024, Oregon, 6-5, 305 (DS#999 OT) + More +

Three Oregon players have medically retired and are no longer with the program. Offensive linemen Chris Randazzo and Jonah Tauanu'u and inside linebacker Sampson Niu all medically retired, Oregon coach Mario Cristobal announced Thursday. Randazzo, a redshirt-sophomore, opted out of the 2020 season. A former three-star signee in 2018, Randazzo played in one game, against Nevada in 2019, during his two seasons at UO. Niu, a senior, did not play last season and his mother passed away in January. He had 65 career tackles in 33 career games. Tauanu'u, a former four-star prospect and top 100 recruit in the class of 2019, played 16 snaps over two games while redshirting in 2019. He did not play due to injury last season. - The Oregonian

(DS#999 OT) rSo/2024

OT Jonah Tauanuu, Oregon
News Source: The Oregonian
Share/Comment: Here

04/04/21 - Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, rSr/2023, Oregon, 6-6, 317 (DS#24 OT) + More +

Six Oregon players who were injured last season are back to full participation this spring, three others are on their way back and several others are going to miss spring practice. Running back CJ Verdell (left thumb), tight ends Spencer Webb and Patrick Herbert, outside linebackers Adrian Jackson Jr. and Jackson LaDuke and cornerback Dontae Manning are all "full speed," according to Mario Cristobal. Inside linebacker Justin Flowe (torn meniscus) has been limited but is expected to be a full participant in two weeks, offensive lineman Jaylan Jeffers (left arm) has also been limited and may be held out of spring due to precautionary reasons and tight end Cam McCormick is "progressing well" from an unspecified injury that kept him out of last season, Cristobal said. Offensive lineman Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu will miss spring practice due to the unspecified injury he suffered in the Pac-12 Championship game against USC. - The Oregonian

(DS#24 OT) rSr/2023

OT Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, Oregon
News Source: The Oregonian
Share/Comment: Here

04/02/21 - Anthony Brown Jr., rSr/2022, Oregon, 6-1, 217 (DS#18 QB) + More +

Oregon once spring practice for the second straight year with a quarterback competition and a returning backup who enters as the favorite. Tyler Shough was in that position a year ago and Anthony Brown hadn't even signed with UO yet. A year later, Shough put up strong numbers for three-plus games, then saw his efficiency tumble in the second half of the season and Brown overtook him during the Fiesta Bowl. Shough left for Texas Tech, Brown returned and is the only quarterback on the roster to have attempted a college pass and Ty Thompson arrives with a ton of hype as the highest-rated high school QB signee in program history. Brown didn't have a full opportunity and time to learn the system last offseason. Spring was cut short, he arrived in the summer and the second fall scrimmage was canceled. Shough started the season off great and then things spiraled. A much more normal offseason might serve Brown as well as any player on the roster. If he takes the reins and shows he can be the every day starter, Oregon has an experienced quarterback that showed flashes of dynamic playmaking late last season. - The Oregonian

(DS#18 QB) rSr/2022

QB Anthony Brown Jr., Oregon
News Source: The Oregonian
Share/Comment: Here

04/02/21 - DJ Johnson, rSr/2023, Oregon, 6-4, 260 (DS#14 DE) + More +

Similar to the Oregon's receiving corps, the tight ends have limited veteran experience returning and an infusion of young talent. DJ Johnson is the only returning tight end to catch a pass last season as Cam McCormick once again missed a season due to injury and Spencer Webb got in for a only a handful of plays in the Fiesta Bowl but didn't record a stat. The departure of Hunter Kampmoyer opens the door for a lot of reps in practice and in games. McCormick has battled through a lengthy injury history and at this point, anything he provides in a game would be incredible given his struggles. Johnson went from near the bottom of the depth chart at the position a year ago and not even having a full-padded practice until the fall to being an early breakout performer for the Ducks last season. Now he's the favorite to start in the fall. - The Oregonian

(DS#14 DE) rSr/2023

DE DJ Johnson, Oregon
News Source: The Oregonian
Share/Comment: Here

03/31/21 - Johnny Johnson III, rSr/2022, Oregon, 6-0, 196 (DS#50 WR) + More +

Oregon has needed to overhaul its receiver corps for the past few seasons and the pieces to make that happen are coming in with Franklin, Thornton and Brevard. Spring will give an early indication if the freshmen will challenge for prominent roles this fall but they're likely going to have a chance to contribute immediately regardless. Johnson and Redd are atop the depth chart but both have plenty to improve before they leave college. Johnson was probably underutilized last season but is certainly capable of producing consistent numbers and he is probably Oregon's best blocking receiver. Williams and Pittman both need to have a full season of games to showcase their skills to the max. - The Oregonian

(DS#50 WR) rSr/2022

WR Johnny Johnson III, 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