As Oregon moves closer to the start of fall camp, The Oregonian/OregonLive is breaking down the Ducks' roster by highlighting the prominent battles for playing time in each position group.

Today's position:

Special teams

The players:

Sophomore Aidan Schneider (6-foot-4, 235 pounds) and junior Matt Wogan (6-2, 210)

What's at stake:

Starting at place-kicker.

How Schneider fared in 2014:

A walk-on from Portland's Grant High School, Schneider took over the starting job midway through the season and eased longtime concerns about Oregon's notoriously uneven track record at kicker by making 11-of-12 field goals. He had a long of 42 yards, the first time in four seasons a Duck kicker made a field goal at least that far. Entering 2015, Schneider has been nominated for the

for the country's best kicker.

How Wogan fared in 2014:

He initially made a play to handle Oregon's punts, kickoffs and place kicks in fall camp but finished as UO's kickoff specialist as Schneider took over field goal and point-after duties. He had 22 touchbacks on kickoffs and his 62.0-yard average on 87 kickoffs ranked 43rd-longest nationally. Wogan was also 7-of-9 on field goals, with a long of 34 (he was also 7-9 in 2013, with a long of 39).

How they fared during spring practice:

Not a peep of concern came out of Oregon's closed practices regarding Schneider, whose immediate success belies the fact that he's still learning how to kick -- he only began kicking a football, rather than a soccer ball, as a high school junior. Wogan described his spring as "the best practices I've had in the Oregon system," saying an offseason overhaul of his mental approach paid dividends. "Mentally, I'm 100 percent better,"

. "Last year, I was just so focused on doing it right, doing it right, doing it right. Now, I know I'm going to miss a kick. But I'm going to miss it in practices versus missing it in a game."

The case for Schneider:

His production speaks for itself. He wasn't put in tough spots often thanks to Oregon's video game offense in 2014, but there were moments where Schneider indicated he can indeed kick under pressure. At Utah, in a game where Oregon's offense and defense each appeared out of sync for stretches, Schneider was consistent throughout and made all three field goals he attempted.

The case for Wogan:

Recruits don't generally become the No. 2-ranked players at their position as a fluke, and so Wogan's physical gifts -- a very powerful leg -- can't be overlooked even as his short career as ebbed and flowed from the high of winning the place-kicking job as a true freshman in 2013 to last season's low of losing it.

What they must accomplish during fall camp:

Insulating against doubts is perhaps the top priority for kickers, but it's especially important for Wogan who, in the spring, spoke of not feeling that others on the team were confident in him to handle the responsibilities that come with the job. "I was confident, but I didn't feel the confidence from other people, I guess you could say," Wogan

"Now, I'm not worried about what other people say." As a freshman, both during the season and the following spring, Wogan fought through accuracy problems. As a sophomore, he ironed out the placement of his kicks but the new issue was confidence. Now a year older, Wogan must combine his pedigree with more consistent production if he wants to take back his job. Schneider has proven he can handle the job with aplomb but as with any young breakout star, the question becomes whether he can do it again.

Also on the roster:

No other kickers are currently on the roster but more will be added for fall camp.

Other position battles to watch:

,

the defensive line, tight ends, running backs, linebackers.

-- Andrew Greif

agreif@oregonian.com

503-221-8100

@andrewgreif