Checking in with the Oregon Ducks OL room ahead of the 2025 season
The Ducks are coming off of an incredible season that saw a 12-0 regular season, a Big Ten Championship, and the No. 1 seed in the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff. The offseason brought significant roster turnover as Oregon sent a program record 10 players into the 2025 NFL draft; however, those players have been replaced by a young yet incredibly talented group of players ready to uphold the standard in Eugene.
Will they be able to complete the job? Expectations are high, but it won't be an easy task.
Over the next few weeks, many questions will be asked, and a significant number of them will be answered. Once we get a look at things during fall camp, we will be able to predict more accurately how things shape up. However, we already have our depth chart projections for offense and defense from spring. As we continue our preview of the 2025 season, leading up to the kick-off vs. Montana State on August 30, let's take a deep dive, position by position.
Previous Position Previews
Now let's take a closer look at the offensive line as we prepare for fall camp.
Overall Oregon Ducks Offensive Line Check-In
The standard has been set astronomically high for the offensive line in Eugene, thanks to back-to-back Joe Moore Award finalists under OL coach A'Lique Terry. Getting back to that level of play will be a tall task this year, as the Ducks have just one returning starter among the front five — center Iapani Laloulu. Around him, Oregon will use a mix of transfers and home-grown talent to fill out the starting five, and likely utilize the first couple of games of the year to figure out the best combination of players to do so. There is a ton of talent at the position with the likes of Isaiah World and Emmanuel Pregnon anchoring the left side, but how cohesive everything will be together is yet to be seen.
Departing Oregon Ducks Offensive Linemen
Analysis: Josh Conerly made good on his time at Oregon, coming in as a highly-touted 5-star recruit, and leaving as a first-round draft pick, selected by the Washington Commanders. He had a tremendous 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.
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 landed with the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round of the NFL draft.
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.
Analysis: Marcus Harper was one of the longest-tenured Ducks on the roster, and he played very well last 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 replacing him on the starting line is not going to be easy.
Analysis: George Silva hit the transfer portal this spring after having his one final year of eligibility approved by the NCAA. However, he has yet to commit to any school for the 2025 season.
Returning Oregon Ducks Offensive Linemen
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.
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.
Analysis: This past year, Bedford suffered a knee injury in fall camp and missed his entire senior season. Granted another year, he will now compete for the starting right guard for the Ducks, bringing a veteran and versatile player with a lot of high-level experience.
Analysis: Kawika Rogers worked in multiple spots on the offensive line last 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 this season, Rogers should be in the mix as an important piece going forward.
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 year after serving as a six-man of the OL last season.
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.
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.
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 Oregon Ducks Offensive Linemen
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.
Analysis: With both Conerly and Cornelius gone, Oregon went to the portal for both of their tackle spots this year, and Harkey is expected to hold down the RT spot across from Isaiah World. Harkey spent time at both Colorado and Texas State in his career, and was the No. 6 OT in the portal this offseason.
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 the starting left guard spot after transferring in from USC.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Predicting Oregon Ducks Offensive Line
Left Tackle: Isaiah World
Left Guard: Emmanuel Pregnon
Center: Iapani Laloulu
Right Guard: Matthew Bedford
Right Tackle: Alex Harkey
Analysis: The left side of the line feels pretty locked up, with Isaiah World and Emmanuel Pregnon stepping in as starters alongside Iapani Laloulu. Who fills out the right guard and right tackle spots will be interesting to see. Right now, my money is on Matthew Bedford and Alex Harkey, but don't be surprised if guys like Dave Iuli and Gernorris Wilson push for starting roles as well.
Overall Oregon Ducks Offensive Line Outlook
The A'Lique Terry era in Eugene has been a booming success, with back-to-back Joe Moore Award finalist lines, and some big wins both in the transfer portal and the recruiting front. While you don't want to have to go to the transfer portal to get three starting offensive linemen, the Ducks did what they had to do this past offseason to fill the holes. Going forward, there is a lot of young talent ready to develop and step up in Eugene. Oregon also got a commitment from 5-star OT Immanuel Iheanacho this past month, one of the top OTs in the nation this cycle. Going forward, there is no reason to believe that the Ducks' OL play is going to take a dip.
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