Occupying a very small corner within one of the wildest years in modern human history has been a college football offseason and now season that has appropriately reflected our current day and age. The twists and turns have been numerous and well documented over the past several months, as COVID-19 continues to hang like an anvil over the viability of a 2020 college football season. In addition to that, college football’s player empowerment movement and the multiple opt-outs from high profile players across the country (including a handful who were on the Oregon roster) has also contributed in shaking the foundation of a decades-old American institution.
The extent to which these factors will change the previously accepted landscape of college football is unknown. What is known, however, is that after previously postponing the 2020 football season, the Pac-12 has decided to change course and proceed with an abbreviated conference schedule, joining the vast majority of the FBS on the gridiron this fall.
With October 9 set as the official start date of fall camp for the Ducks, WFOD is here to help preview and bring you up to speed on the upcoming season by providing its position-by-position breakdown of the Oregon roster. The series continues Friday, as we take an in-depth look at the wide receivers.
As always, you can find the most up-to-date look at the Oregon depth chart by visiting our Living Depth Chart page.
The Headliner
Likely by even his own admission, Johnny Johnson’s career at Oregon has run the gamut. An encouraging debut season as a freshman in 2017 gave way to an underwhelming sophomore campaign in 2018 that was accentuated by drops, leading to a marginalized role within the offense. Johnson’s junior season in 2019, however, demonstrated what the Chandler (Ariz.) native was capable of when operating as the team’s top receiving target. Showing improved hands and concentration, Johnson led the Ducks last season in both receptions (57) and receiving yards (836), while also tying for the team lead in touchdown catches (7), firmly establishing himself as the most reliable and seasoned option amongst the Oregon receivers heading into a COVID-shortened 2020 season. The only question now is, how does Johnson build upon that momentum entering his senior year?
Listed at an even 6-feet and 198 pounds, Johnson isn’t necessarily the overwhelming physical force that the Ducks have begun targeting in recent recruiting cycles. He is, however, powerfully built and a tough matchup for opposing defensive backs due to his combination of strength, route-running ability, and penchant for making big plays in the short, intermediate, and deep passing game. Johnson’s array of skills were put on full display in a losing effort last November at Arizona State, as he nearly single-handedly led the Ducks to a rousing comeback victory with a career-high 10 catches for 207 yards and two touchdowns in front of family and friends in Tempe. The expectation from Mario Cristobal and the Ducks will be for Johnson to play with a similarly sustained level of intensity and leadership this season, particularly as Tyler Shough settles in as the prospective starter at quarterback.
The Supporting Ensemble
Similar to the quarterback position, the wide receiver position for Oregon finally feels like it’s in a stable place in terms of the depth that’s on hand entering preseason camp. The challenge now is keeping this group healthy so that their enormous potential can be showcased. Sophomore Mycah Pittman represents that hopeful optimism perhaps more so than any other player on the Oregon roster. His highly anticipated debut season was interrupted twice last season, once during fall camp due to a shoulder injury and again in a blowout victory over Arizona last November when he suffered an arm injury. To Pittman’s credit, he rebounded well from each setback, though is no doubt looking to set a frustrating freshman year (18 catches for 277 yards and two touchdowns) aside to challenge Johnny Johnson for the mantle of go-to receiver in this offense. A former four-star recruit, Pittman’s game is similar to Johnson’s in terms of his physical build, skill set, and fiery on-field persona, and like Johnson, he will be counted on to make an immediate impact in the passing game.
The very same could be said for senior Jaylon Redd, who didn’t necessarily endure the injury frustration of Pittman, but returns as a player that first year offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead will be relying on to help lead the group in 2020. Though Redd was one of Oregon’s most productive receivers a year ago (50 catches for 465 yards and seven touchdowns), he was a player who was also absent from two of the biggest games on the Ducks’ schedule a year ago, as he missed both the Arizona State game and the Rose Bowl victory over Wisconsin. Short in stature similar to his counterparts in Johnson and Pittman, Redd provides this offense with an explosive element that is valuable in stretching defenses both vertically and horizontally.
Sophomores Bryan Addison and Josh Delgado look to take a notable step forward this season after seeing their first extensive action as Ducks in 2019. At 6-foot-5 and 194 pounds, Addison presents a matchup problem for opposing defensive backs due to his combination and athleticism, though we’ve yet to see it consistently displayed on game days. His ability to turn the corner this season and build upon his fleeting production from a year ago (18 catches for 203 yards and one touchdown) would provide the Ducks with a different dimension in their pass attack. Delgado offered comparable production as a freshman (11 catches for 147 yards) in 2019, but is your classic slot receiver who makes up for lackluster size with great speed and quickness. He’s also a player who could figure into the mix as a return man this fall.
Isaah Crocker, Daewood Davis, Jaron Waters, and Lance Wilhoite help round out this group and provide intriguing depth should one or more of these players demonstrate that they’ve taken a leap this fall. Davis, in particular, is one to watch, as he’s a tremendously versatile athlete who could easily find himself playing a number of different roles this season. After arriving at Oregon as receiver in 2017, Davis transitioned to defense last season to ply his trade as a cornerback. However, as injuries to the Ducks’ receiving corp mounted, Davis switched back to offense to help provide much needed depth. With depth at the cornerback position now somewhat depleted with Deommodore Lenoir and Thomas Graham electing to opt-out of the upcoming season, it would come as no surprise to see Davis flip back over to defense during fall camp to help provide support at corner.
The Intriguing New Cast Member
Though it’s not technically accurate to call Devon Williams a “new” member of Oregon’s cast at the receiver position, this fall will be the first time he takes the field wearing green and yellow. Once considered a strong lean to Oregon during the 2018 recruiting cycle, Williams ultimately spurned the Ducks to stay close to home and attend USC. The former four-star prospect and no. 6-ranked receiver in the 2018 class would go on to appear in 13 games for the Trojans over the course of two seasons, but announced his decision to transfer last September, eventually finding his way to Eugene after momentarily indicating he was headed to Oregon State.
Upon his arrival on campus at Oregon last fall, the 6-foot-5, 209-pound Williams wasted little time in making a statement on the scout team, exhibiting the athleticism and game-changing ability he was known for exiting the high school ranks. Like Addison, Williams has the opportunity to provide the Oregon offense with a dynamic and physically-imposing presence on the outside. With a strong performance during preseason camp this month, he could be a player that takes this group from simply good to potentially great.
Keep an eye out for true freshman Kris Hutson, as well. Like Williams, Hutson was a former four-star recruit and USC verbal commit. Unlike Williams, however, Hutson never signed with the Trojans and instead flipped to Oregon in the spring of last year. Cut from a similar cloth as former high school teammate Josh Delgado, the 5-foot-11, 175-pound Hutson is an electric player operating out of the slot, helping providing the Oregon aerial attack with a tantalizing offensive weapon in the years to come.
The Stirring Subplot
How much of an impact will Devon Williams make in his first year with the Ducks?
Just below the competition that’s to take place at quarterback and the uncertainty surrounding five new starters along the offensive line, the performance of Devon Williams during fall camp will be closely monitored by all who follow the Oregon football program. For years, seemingly, Duck fans have been pining for an elite-level talent to develop and emerge from the wide receiver position. Near recruiting misses (including the one from Williams roughly three years ago) has not only tortured the Oregon fan base, but has set the offense back in the recent years, as the lack of depth and starting-level quality has limited its potency.
The presence of a highly respected offensive mind and play-caller like Joe Moorhead should work to the benefit a raw talent like Devon Williams and the offense at large. But considering the major question marks at both quarterback and offensive line, it would come as no surprise to see Williams’ impact delayed as the offense attempts to find its legs over the first few weeks of season.
WFOD’s 2020 Fall Camp Preview – The Quarterbacks
WFOD’s 2020 Fall Camp Preview – The Running Backs
Top Photo: Oregon WR Johnny Johnson (Jenny Rydstedt/Whole Flock of Ducks)