Two years ago, when the Oregon Ducks athletic department brought in Dan Lanning from Georgia, they had visions of constructing a team in the image of a traditional SEC program, full of brute size, strength, and physicality on the lines of scrimmage.
Whether it’s through the transfer portal or old-fashioned recruiting, Lanning and his staff have delivered imposing linemen, and it’s already paid dividends for the Ducks. Last year, an inexperienced Oregon O-line was a finalist for the Joe Moore Award (given to the best O-line in college football), and the Ducks also had one of their best pass-rush units in years.
In 2024, Oregon looks poised to improve on last season’s success in the trenches with the additions of DTs Ja’Maree Caldwell (Houston) and Derrick Harmon (Michigan State), and the development of young linemen already on Oregon’s roster.
On the most recent episode of the “Sco-ing Long Podcast”, co-hosts Zachary Neel and Jonathan Stewart spoke to former Ducks running back Kenjon Barner, who expressed a lot of excitement for the increased strength along the line of scrimmage. After watching the Ducks up close as an honorary coach at the Oregon spring game, Barner had a major takeaway.
“They look like monsters if I’m being real with you,” Barner said. “It’s crazy to look at that sideline and it almost resembles an NFL sideline. These are kids, but they’re built like grown men.”
