It feels almost incomprehensible considering the start of the February signing period was just a few short weeks ago, but ready or not, the unofficial start of the 2019 season is right around the corner.

March 7 marks the beginning of spring football for the Ducks, and similar to last year, the Ducks will have a short break in the middle of spring practices to account for events on the academic calendar, culminating with the annual spring game on April 20.

As we count down the dwindling days leading up to the start of practices, WFOD takes a closer look at the primary storylines unfolding at each position and sets expectations for head coach Mario Cristobal and company as spring arrives.

Today, our Spring Storylines series continues with a look at the offensive line.

Who will be Oregon’s fifth starter along the offensive line?

As the Ducks look ahead to the 2019 season, there are at least two, and debatably three (if you want to include Oregon’s running backs), core areas of strength when examining the Oregon offense: Quarterback and offensive line.

When assembling the components for any successful offense, many would argue that solidifying those two positions is as critical as anything in the pursuit of a championship. Herbert’s return is obviously something that cannot be overlooked, but standing on near equal footing is the return of all five starters to an Oregon offensive line unit that may well prove to be the backbone for a team with legitimate Pac-12 title aspirations entering the upcoming season.

It’s a unit that not only boasts a wealth of experience and talent beyond the five returning starters, but it’s a group that was only made stronger during the offseason with addition of two key recruits. And with Mario Cristobal presiding as the unofficial CEO of the football program, it’s safe to assume that the offensive trenches will be where the Ducks make their name so long as he remains in Eugene.

By now, Duck fans should have the names of Oregon’s o-line starters committed to memory like an Arya Stark kill list. Shane Lemieux, Calvin Throckmorton, Jake Hanson, Dallas Warmack, and Penei Sewell solidified themselves as the Ducks’ starting group over the first half of the year before an ankle injury to Sewell sidelined him for the second half of the regular season. Though Sewell returned to the starting lineup for the Ducks’ Redbox Bowl victory over Michigan State, the big question surrounding Oregon’s big men is whether that group will be the same one that opens the 2019 season versus Auburn in Arlington, Texas.

Lemieux and Hanson appear to be virtual locks, as both players turned down opportunities to enter the NFL Draft by deciding to return for their fourth and final years with the program. Throckmorton should also be penciled in with this group, though a nasty ankle injury suffered in the bowl game could impact his availability this spring. The same too can be said of Sewell, who despite only appearing seven games last season as a true freshman, was arguably Oregon’s best offensive lineman prior to his injury.

The one player who may find his spot amongst the starting group in relative flux is Dallas Warmack. The grad transfer from Alabama claimed a starting role early in fall camp last August before going on to start the majority of the season at right guard, though nagging injuries nipped at Warmack for much of the year. Expected to be full healthy once spring practices commence, Warmack will face stiff competition from a handful of talented reserves who will be gunning for his place in the starting lineup.

Redshirt senior Brady Aiello is this group’s unofficial sixth man, usually serving as the first one off the bench to spell a starter in the event of fatigue or injury. With well over a dozen starts to his name alone, Aiello could take over at right tackle with an impressive spring, allowing the versatile Throckmorton to move to down to Warmack’s right guard once he rounds into form following his injury. Sophomore Steven Jones also figures to make a strong push for considerable playing time this spring after earning his way onto the field over the second half of last season.

Other notable contenders vying for a potential starting role include redshirt sophomore Alex Forsyth and highly-touted JUCO transfer Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu. In fact, of all the reserves along the offensive line, Aumavae-Laulu may be the one who draws the most intrigue this spring. At 6-foot-6 and 337 pounds, the massive Hilo (Hawaii) native was ranked as nation’s top JUCO offensive tackle per 247Sports Composite Rankings and a top five JUCO player overall in the 2019 class.

Spring Storylines: Is Oregon insured at QB beyond Justin Herbert?
Spring Storylines: Is there room in the Oregon backfield for a third RB?
Spring Storylines: Will a leader emerge at WR?
Spring Storylines: Are McCormick and Webb primed to take the next step?