5 Oregon football defense players to have the biggest impact for the Ducks in 2024 season

Liberty Flames quarterback Kaidon Salter (7) is chased by Oregon Ducks defensive end Jordan Burch (1) in the first half during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Jan. 1.

With the peak of transfer portal season winding down and Oregon’s recruiting class nearly finalized after the early signing period, the Ducks will once again be among the most talented teams in the country come next fall.

Oregon signed one of the top recruiting classes in the nation and have added seven transfers, including two defenders to a defense that ranked among the Pac-12’s best in 2023.

With the Ducks headed to the Big Ten in 2024, here are five players who should be a major factor on defense next fall.

Jeffrey Bassa — linebacker

Liberty Flames wide receiver CJ Daniels (4) is tackled by Oregon Ducks defensive back Nikko Reed (25) and linebacker Jeffrey Bassa (2) during the first quarter of the 2024 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium Jan. 1 in Glendale, Arizona.

Any list that mentions the Oregon defense would be remiss to omit Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon’s second leading tackler in 2024 and its undisputed leader at inside linebacker.

Bassa decided to return for his senior season shortly after the Fiesta Bowl and was a key component to the Ducks’ much-improved run and pass defense in 2023. His 72 total tackles ranked second on the team behind graduating safety Evan Williams, and his pick-six against Texas Tech sealed a win in Week 2 in the game’s final moments.

The senior-to-be captained a Duck defense that ranked 11th in the nation in stopping the run, holding opponents to 102.57 rushing yards per game — improved from 124.77 in 2022. Oregon ranked ninth in the country in scoring defense, holding opponents to 16.5 points per game, down well over 10 points from 27.4 in 2022.

Experience and veteran leadership won’t be in short…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/5-oregon-football-defense-players-160609434.html

Author : The Register-Guard

Publish date : 2024-01-10 16:06:09

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