The anticipation in the air can only mean one thing: The onset of fall camp is upon us!

August 3 is the date circled on the calendars of Duck fans near and far, as that is the day fall camp officially opens at the University of Oregon. The month of practices that follow will not only give coaches, members of the media, and fans a sneak peek at the team for the upcoming season, but it will also serve as an opportunity to simultaneously answer and facilitate a litany of questions surrounding position battles and movement along the depth chart.

More importantly, it means we’re only one month away from the start of football season.

As we countdown the days, WFOD will preview each position group, providing an early snapshot of the depth chart, as well as handout a few superlatives to help set expectations for the season.

Today, WFOD’s Preseason Superlatives series continues with the wide receivers.

Wide Receiver:

The Projected Depth Chart:

WR: Johnny Johnson (So.)/Daewood Davis (RFr.)/Isaah Crocker (Fr.)/J.J. Tucker (Fr.)
WR: Jaylon Redd (So.)/Tabari Hines (Sr.)/Demetri Burch (RFr.)
WR: Dillon Mitchell (Jr.)/Brenden Schooler (Jr.)/Jalen Hall (Fr.)

The Duke: Dillon Mitchell

The decision to dismiss Darren Carrington from the team last summer was a prudent move by former head coach Willie Taggart, though it was one that curbed the potential potency of the Oregon offense heading into the 2017 season. Charles Nelson was an experienced and capable leader of the group, but he wasn’t necessarily a player best suited for being the primary pass catching weapon. Beyond him, the Ducks had little proven talent or experience to speak of amongst their group of wideouts. Before Carrington’s dismissal, Dillon Mitchell was expected to play more or less a secondary role with Carrington and Nelson set to return. However, after Carrington left the team, Mitchell was forced to grow up quickly and assume a much bigger responsibility as a playmaker for the Ducks through the air. And prior to Justin Herbert’s injury vs. Cal, he did just that. In fact, in games where Herbert was available, the junior-to-be from Memphis was perhaps the Ducks’ top receiving target. In those eight games with Herbert, Mitchell was tremendously productive, catching 40 passes for 507 yards and four touchdowns. Without Herbert, Mitchell’s impact was virtually non-existent, as he only managed two receptions for 10 yards in the other games he appeared in. Entering 2018, Mitchell is now solidly Oregon’s clear-cut top receiver. With a healthy Herbert at his disposal, and with more experienced talent surrounding him, it’s fair to expect that Mitchell will pick up where he left off last season when he capped off 2017 with back-to-back 100+ yard receiving performances. It’s not a stretch to say a 1,000-yard season is well within his grasp.

The X-factor: Tabari Hines

One could argue that the most important graduate transfer the Ducks received during the offseason was that of wide receiver Tabari Hines. Prior to Taggart’s departure for Florida State, the Ducks had five verbal commitments from wide receivers in the 2018 class. After Taggart left, the Ducks suffered de-commitments from all five players. Thus, with Oregon searching for difference makers at wide receiver after seeing their proverbial cabinet raided, the addition of the former Wake Forest product was chicken soup for the ransacked soul. At the very least, Hines’ presence offers Oregon additional depth, particularly at the slot position, where he’ll be competing for reps with sophomore Jaylon Redd. At best, Hines provides an experienced and dynamic element that was missing from this team upon Nelson’s graduation. During his three-year career with the Demon Deacons, Hines reeled in 123 catches for 1,496 yards and 13 touchdowns, and twice either led or was tied for the team lead in receptions at season’s end. If he can provide the same kind of spark for the Oregon offense in his first and only season in Eugene, Oregon may wind up sneakily possessing one of the conference’s best aerial attacks.

The Upstart: Johnny Johnson

Despite appearing in all 13 games as a true freshman a season ago, the opportunities Johnny Johnson received to impact the game mirrored in many way the inconsistencies that the Oregon offense suffered through in the fallout of Justin Herbert’s collarbone injury. At times, like the Duck offense, Johnson was spectacular, exhibiting incredible acrobatics hauling in catches most receivers would have no business making. Other times, Johnson would disappear from the action completely, logging four games where he failed to register a single catch. Johnson would finish the year with 21 catches for 299 yards and one touchdown, but in many ways, and to no real fault of his own, his first season as a Duck felt like one big tease. There is hope, however. Given the flashes of brilliance he showcased in 2017, not mention the health of Herbert, there’s reason to believe Johnson is on the verge of a super sophomore season. By all accounts, the Chandler (Ariz.) native had himself a terrific spring, as he demonstrated improved consistency catching the ball, in addition to improved speed, which could see him become a more explosive weapon for Herbert on the outside. It’s not entirely out of the question that, with a strong fall camp that builds off the momentum gained this past spring, Johnson could assert himself as a top receiving option for Herbert rivaling Mitchell.

WFOD’s Preseason Superlatives: Quarterback Preview
WFOD’s Preseason Superlatives: Running Back Preview