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 linebackers.

Linebacker:

The Projected Depth Chart:

OLB: Justin Hollins (RSr.)/Bryson Young (Jr.)
JACK: Isaac Slade-Matautia (RFr.)/Kaulana Apelu (Sr.)/Sampson Niu (So.)/MJ Cunningham (Fr.)
MIKE: Troy Dye (Jr.)/Keith Simms (RSo.)/Adrian Jackson (Fr.)
OLB: La’Mar Winston (Jr.)/Andrew Johnson (Fr.)

The Duke: Troy Dye

From essentially the moment he stepped foot on campus at the University of Oregon, Troy Dye has proven himself to be a force to be reckoned with on the football field. In his very first game versus UC Davis in the 2016 season opener, Dye quickly asserted himself as the defense’s best player despite only being a true freshman, tallying 11 tackles (4.5 for loss), one sack, and one blocked kick. From that moment forward, Dye’s contributions to the Oregon defense have not relented. In two seasons with the Ducks, Dye has accumulated 191 tackles, 26.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, and two interceptions, and enters 2018 as legitimate Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and All-American candidate, in addition to being named to a host of watchlists for national trophies and awards. Next to Justin Herbert, Dye is undeniably Oregon’s most important player and the person who serves as the out-and-out ringleader for a defense that is on the rise. With fellow linebackers Justin Hollins and La’Mar Winston also set to return, Dye’s overall production may experience a slight downturn, but expect him to more or less have the same impact as he’s always had in what could very well be his final season at Oregon.

The X-factor: Keith Simms

Keith Simms’ early beginnings in Eugene have been fraught with adversity. As a true freshman in 2016, Simms appeared in eight games and notched 10 total tackles, as the Ducks struggled through their worst season in over 20 years, which ultimately led to the firing of head coach Mark Helfrich. In 2017, Simms endured another coaching change while he was forced to redshirt due to injury, stymieing his opportunity to make unfettered offseason improvement and ultimately compete for quality playing time. Now healthy (and with a presumably stable coaching situation in place), Simms looks to the upcoming season as his chance to make his first real waves in a Duck uniform. And if his performance this spring was any indication, his opportunity might come sooner rather than later. Of all the players on the defensive side of the ball, no one perhaps made a bigger impression than the Washington, D.C. native. Whether he was lined up at inside linebacker or outside, Simms was reported to have made plays all over the field, earning a reputation as a devastating hitter, in particular. His versatility, however, is arguably his best attribute. If he can remain healthy, Simms at worst provides the Ducks with tremendous flexibility with regard to their linebacker rotation, and at best emerges from a game group of competitors as the starting inside ‘backer flanking Troy Dye.

The Upstart: Isaac Slade-Matautia

As the Ducks braved a rash of injuries at inside linebacker last season, Isaac Slade-Matautia was a whisker away from needing to burn his redshirt in order provide the team with a capable body in the front seven. Luckily for Duck fans that didn’t happen, as they will – by all accounts – be treated to four full years of eligibility from a player who is drawing all sorts of attention as fall camp approaches. Setting Slade-Matautia apart from the rest of the competition inside is his natural linebacker instincts and explosiveness taking on ball carries and blockers alike. Like Simms, Slade-Matautia drew rave reviews from members of the Oregon coaching staff after an impressive spring, and is perhaps the early favorite to get the starting nod alongside Dye at inside linebacker when the Ducks open the season September 1 versus Bowling Green.

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
WFOD’s Preseason Superlatives: Offensive Line Preview
WFOD’s Preseason Superlatives: Defensive Line Preview