The Oregon Ducks had one of the most successful seasons in program history last year, going 13-1 with a Big Ten Championship win and a No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. Now, in 2025, they will look to reach the same heights once again, but this time around with almost an entirely new roster.
Since coming to Eugene, Dan Lanning has recruited at an elite level. In 2025, talent acquisition and development will be tested. Gone are the players from past regimes; in will be the blue-chip players whom Lanning and his staff have hand-picked.
On offense, players like Dillon Gabriel, Tez Johnson, Jordan James, Terrance Ferguson, and Josh Conerly are leaving for the NFL. The defense sees the likes of Jeffrey Bassa, Jordan Burch, Derek Harmon, and Jabbar Muhammad move on as well. So, who will step up and replace them? That’s the million dollar question in Eugene. We have our depth chart projections on offense and defense, but the next several weeks of practice will determine a lot for the Ducks. As we continue our preview of the spring season leading up to Oregon’s annual spring game, let’s take a deep dive, position by position.
Earlier this month, we checked out the quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, and tight ends. Now, let’s finish off the offensive side of the ball with the big boys up front.
Similar to other positions on the roster, Oregon has a lot of talent on the line, but a lot of unproven productions. With left tackle Josh Conerly and right tackle Ajani Cornelius off to the NFL, the Ducks have significant shoes to fill on the edges, while Iapani Laloulu continues to hold things down in the middle. On either side, some intense position battles will take place this spring to fill out the remainder of the starting lineup.
Let’s look at the whole picture, breaking down who arrived this year, who left, and who remains at the OL group going into spring football.
Departing Players
Josh Conerly
Analysis: After his work throughout the start of the NFL draft process, Josh Conerly has gotten his name into contention as a potential first-round pick this year, somewhere in the middle of Day One. He had a great junior season at Oregon and capitalized on the opportunity to make the jump to the next level. Oregon will have some big shoes to fill in his stead.
Ajani Cornelius
Analysis: Cornelius returned to Oregon for his final year in 2024 rather than going to the NFL, and after having a very solid season at RT protecting Dillon Gabriel’s blindside, he will go off to the league with expectations of becoming a mid-round draft pick.
Nishad Strother
Analysis: After suffering an injury in his first year with the Ducks in 2023, Strother stepped up in a big way this past year, becoming a starter at LG and filling a big hole that was left by Matthew Bedford’s preseason injury.
Marcus Harper
Analysis: Marcus Harper was one of the longest-tenured Ducks on the roster, and he played very well this year, moving from his LG spot over to RG to fill in after injuries took place early in the season. Harper has acted as a staple on the line over the last several years, so losing his leadership is going to be big this offseason.
George Silva
Analysis: George Silva hit the transfer portal this spring after having his one final year of eligibility approved by the NCAA, where he is expected to land with the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
Returning Players
Iapani Laloulu
Analysis: Iapani Laloulu played several roles as a true freshman in 2023, and he served as the starting center in 2024, doing a great job holding things down up front. While there is still room to improve, the Ducks can feel confident that they have their starting man in the middle going into a new season with no questions about what they will get from No. 72.
Dave Iuli
Analysis: After dealing with a foot injury throughout the offseason and the start of the season, Dave Iuli was able to return to the field midway through 2024 and rotated in at the right guard spot with Nishad Strother. Iuli played very well and will be in a good position to compete for a starting spot in 2025.
Matthew Bedford
Analysis: We list Matthew Bedford here, assuming he can get approved for a medical hardship waiver and return for one more year of eligibility in 2025. This past year, Bedford suffered a knee injury in fall camp and missed his entire senior season. Should he be granted another year, he would compete for the starting right guard for the Ducks, bringing a veteran and versatile player with a lot of high-level experience.
Kawika Rogers
Analysis: Kawika Rogers worked in multiple spots on the offensive line this year while the unit dealt with some injuries, and he played well when given the opportunity. With a chance to compete for a starting spot next year, Rogers should be in the mix as an important piece going forward.
Gernorris Wilson
Analysis: Gernorris Wilson has been a solid depth player for the Ducks in 2024, and he has a good chance to move into strong competition for the starting right tackle spot this spring after serving as a six-man of the OL last season.
Fox Crader
Analysis: After redshirting as a freshman in 2024, Fox Crader will work to establish a spot on the depth chart and find a way into the rotation in 2025.
Trent Ferguson
Analysis: After redshirting as a freshman in 2024, Trent Ferguson will work to establish a spot on the depth chart and find a way into the rotation in 2025.
Devin Brooks
Analysis: After redshirting as a freshman in 2024, Devin Brooks will work to establish a spot on the depth chart and find a way into the rotation in 2025.
Incoming Players
Isaiah World (Transfer)
Analysis: The Ducks hit big in the transfer portal this year, landing Isaiah World, who was the No. 1 overall ranked player in the portal. At 6-foot-8, 310 pounds, World has an ideal body makeup for a left tackle at the next level, and he will use his one year at Oregon to boost his NFL draft stock and head off to the league after that.
Alex Harkey (Transfer)
Analysis: It appears as if the Ducks are planning for Conerly to leave alongside Cornelius, seeing as they brought in two elite offensive tackles from the portal. Alex Harkey is expected to come in and compete for the RT spot for Cornelius. Harkey spent time at both Colorado and Texas State in his career, and was the No. 6 OT in the portal this offseason.
Emmaunuel Pregnon (Transfer)
Analysis: Emmanuel Pregnon was one of the late additions to Oregon’s roster out of the portal, but he should have a significant impact, likely taking over last the starting left guard spot, or at the very least competing with the likes of Dave Iuli and Matthew Bedford for a role in the starting lineup.
Ziyarre Addison (Recruit)
Analysis: Ziyarre Addison is one of the 4-star linemen coming in for the Ducks in the 2025 class. More than likely, he will redshirt in 2025 and work to get into the rotation after that.
Zac Stacausky (Recruit)
Analysis: Zac Stacausky is one of the 4-star linemen coming in for the Ducks in the 2025 class. More than likely, he will redshirt in 2025 and work to get into the rotation after that.
Douglas Utu (Recruit)
Analysis: Douglas Utu is one of the 4-star linemen coming in for the Ducks in the 2025 class. More than likely, he will redshirt in 2025 and work to get into the rotation after that.
Demetri Manning (Recruit)
Analysis: Demetri Manning is a 3-star lineman coming in for the Ducks in the 2025 class. More than likely, he will redshirt in 2025 and work to get into the rotation after that.
Projected Starters
Predicted Starters
Left Tackle: Isaiah World
Left Guard: Emmanuel Pregnon
Center: Iapani Laloulu
Right Guard: Dave Iuli
Right Tackle: Gernorris Wilson
Overall Position Outlook
Thanks to their transfer portal additions, the Ducks seem to be in a great spot going into 2025. Isaiah World is expected to be one of the best LTs in the nation next year, and with blue-chip prospects across the front who have been waiting for an opportunity to step up, this will give us a chance to see how good of a developer A’lique Terry is. Looking forward, the Ducks are also recruiting the offensive line at an elite level, with a commitment already from 5-star OT Kodi Greene, and in strong standings for 5-star OT Jackson Cantwell and 5-star OT Immanue Iheanacho.
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