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 9 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 linebackers.
How effectively will D.J. Johnson fill the void left by Hollins, Jelks?
For those who have closely followed the Oregon football program over the past several years, it hasn’t often been said in truth that the Duck defense is in a better place than the Duck offense heading into a given season. Yet, as we look ahead to the 2019 season, that appears to be precisely the case.
However, that doesn’t mean the Ducks aren’t without legitimate questions marks on defense with spring practices set to begin this Saturday.
Not only is Oregon replacing Jim Leavitt with former Boise State assistant Andy Avalos at defensive coordinator, but the Ducks are also forced to replace three likely NFL draft picks from last year’s defense in safety Ugo Amadi, and linebackers Justin Hollins and Jalen Jelks.
In Hollins and Jelks, specifically, the Ducks lose two players who not only drew attention from opposing offenses during game week preparation, but two players who backed it up by setting a disruptive tone thanks to their athleticism and length. As seniors last season, Hollins and Jelks combined for 121 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, six forced fumbles, and one interception, providing Oregon with two of the best pass rushers the Pac-12 had to offer.
Needless to say, replacing that level of production won’t come easy, both as Avalos familiarizes himself with the personnel he has on hand, and unproven players step up to fill the void left by Hollins and Jelks.
The good news is, Avalos has a number of exciting options at his disposal as he looks to fill those vacated roles. Chief among those options is sophomore D.J. Johnson, a transfer from Miami (Fla.) who arrived on campus last winter but was forced to sit out virtually all of last season due to NCAA transfer rules.
A former four-star recruit who was ranked as the nation’s sixth-best weakside defensive end in the 2017 recruiting class per 247Sports’ Composite Rankings, Johnson, at 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds, has the same kind of physical attributes possessed by Hollins and Jelks that could make him a potential star as a STUD linebacker in Avalos’ defense. Though he failed to register a tackle in the Redbox Bowl victory of Michigan State (his only game action last season), Johnson enters the spring as perhaps the defensive player drawing the most intrigue beyond Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Speaking of Thibodeaux, the highly-touted freshman could similarly be featured in the STUD position that Johnson is expected to occupy. He, along with La’Mar Winston, Adrian Jackson, and perhaps even Keith Simms and/or Dru Mathis may also be featured here at various points during the course of spring practices.
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?
Spring Storylines: Who will be Oregon’s fifth starter along the offensive line?
Spring Storylines: How much of a difference will Kayvon Thibodeaux make in year one?