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 offensive line.
Offensive Line:
The Projected Depth Chart:
LT: Brady Aiello (RJr.)/Justin Johnson (Fr.)
LG: Shane Lemieux (RJr.)/Sam Poutasi (RSo.)/Penei Sewell (Fr.)/Steven Jones (Fr.)
C: Jake Hanson (RJr.)/Ryan Walk (RFr.)
RG: Jacob Capra (RSo.)/Charlie Landgraf (RJr.)/Cody Shear (RFr.)/Dallas Warmack (Jr.)/Christopher Randazzo (Fr.)
RT: Calvin Throckmorton (RJr.)/George Moore (Jr.)/Alex Forsyth (RFr.)/Dawson Jaramillo (Fr.)
The Duke: Jake Hanson
In all honesty, you could make a pretty good case for any one of Oregon’s fearsome junior foursome along the offensive line. Coming in as a largely overlooked group in the Ducks’ 2015 recruiting class (a class that included notable names such as Canton Kaumatule, Taj Griffin, and Travis Jonsen), Shane Lemiuex, Calvin Throckmorton, and Brady Aiello – along with Hanson – have formed the backbone of the Oregon offensive line for going on three seasons. As a group, the foursome has 89 combined starts and 96 combined overall appearances, proving to be a tremendously steady crew that has worked in anonymity over the past two seasons. Of the four though, Hanson is recognized as both the group’s leader, and as one of the team’s most respected elder statesmen. In fact, at the conclusion of last season, Hanson received the Len Casanova Award – a team leadership award voted on by the players. Hanson has not missed a start in 25 career games, though he was sidelined for the majority of spring practices as he rehabbed an injury. He’s expected to be without limitation once fall camp begins.
The X-factor: Dallas Warmack
It’s not often that you stumble across a grad transfer with two years of eligibility, but that’s exactly what the Ducks have in Dallas Warmack. Originally recruited to Alabama by Ducks head coach Mario Cristobal during his four-year stint an assistant with the Crimson Tide, Warmack appeared in 16 games over the course of his freshman and sophomore seasons before redshirting last year. Warmack is also the younger brother of former unanimous All-American and current Philadelphia Eagle Chance Warmack, and arrives in Eugene with the pedigree and physical prowess to stake his claim to early playing time. Once fall camp begins, Warmack is expected to be a primary challenger at right guard, where Jacob Capra is the only returning player with any notable playing experience (six appearances, one start). The experience and ruggedness he provides along the interior could give this offensive line an even more distinguished element of toughness heading into the year.
The Upstart: Penei Sewell
They don’t come much bigger and more talented than Penei Sewell. A four-star rated prospect in the 2018 recruiting class by 247Sports’ Composite Rankings, and one of the top ranked offensive guards in the entire country, the 6-foot-5, 349-pound Sewell is one of the highest-rated prospects to ever sign with Oregon. To land Sewell, the Ducks had to edge out blue-blood programs such as Alabama and USC, proving that Cristobal and his staff of elite recruiters is capable of going up against some of the nation’s biggest recruiting powers to land top prospects. Now that he’s part of the fold, the crown jewel of the Ducks’ recruiting class is expected to, at the very least, be a key part of the offensive line rotation, if not an eventual starter altogether. As good as Hanson, Throckmorton, Lemieux, and Aiello are, Sewell is a different breed of offensive lineman that they Ducks hope to make a habit of signing with Cristobal in charge.
WFOD’s Preseason Superlatives: Quarterback Preview
WFOD’s Preseason Superlatives: Running Back Preview
WFOD’s Preseason Superlatives: Wide Receiver Preview
WFOD’s Preseason Superlatives: Tight End Preview