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 defensive backs.

Does Oregon get better with Jevon Holland elevated to a starting role?

There’s no arguing that Justin Hollins and Jalen Jelks were keys to the success of the Oregon defense the past couple of seasons, but perhaps no player on that side of the ball was more integral to the Ducks’ success than Ugo Amadi.

As the most seasoned member of the Oregon secondary last season, Amadi was responsible for not only shepherding a talented, yet inexperienced group of underclassmen, but for also leading by example via his on-field exploits.

Consider the mission accomplished for the Nashville native.

In his final season with the Ducks, Amadi was a one-man wrecking crew on defense, tallying 55 tackles (including five for loss), three interceptions (including two for touchdowns), eight passes broken up, one and a half sacks, and one forced fumble. This, of course, doesn’t even take into account the impact Amadi had as a punt returner, averaging nearly 16 yards per return (15.93) to go along with one return for a score. He capped off his stellar senior campaign by also earning the Lombardi Award, which is given each to year to the “best college football player, regardless of position, based on performance, as well as leadership, character, and resiliency.”

Yet, as impactful as Amadi was for Oregon last season, is it possible that the Ducks will actually improve in the secondary with the emergence of his understudy in super sophomore Jevon Holland?

For one, at 6-foot-1 and 192 pounds, Holland is a bigger, more complete athlete compared to the 5-foot-10, 201-pound Amadi. Beyond that, it’s also hard to minimize the impressive debut from the former four-star prospect and one of the highest-rated safety recruits to ever sign with the Ducks.

In his his first season as a Duck, Holland appeared in all 13 games and led the team in interceptions with five despite largely serving as a reserve. Holland also led all Oregon freshman (both of the true and redshirt variety) in tackles (44) in addition to ranking as the second highest graded safety in pass coverage in the Pac-12 per Pro Football Focus.

Now the floor is all his, and though the shoes he’ll be forced to fill are as large as any on the defensive side of the ball heading into 2019, Holland appears uniquely equipped to fill that void – and then some – as he tackles a newly expanded role that comes with sky high expectations.

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?
Spring Storylines: How effectively will D.J. Johnson fill the void left by Hollins, Jelks?