DEFENSIVE BACKS

ROB'S TAKE

Projected depth chart

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Assessing where things stand for the Oregon football team entering the start of preseason camp July 31.The UO secondary returns for 2017 with a personnel group largely intact from a season ago, but few certainties entering preseason camp. Seniorsandand junior Ugochukwe Amadi shared the two starting cornerback spots among them in 2016, but turnovers were few and far between. On the back end,emerged as a ballhawk in his true freshman season, and veteransandhave been steady if unspectacular so far in their careers. All in all, it's a group looking to make many more plays than it did a year ago. One positive sign since the fall was the spring practice performance of Springs; he had an interception in every major scrimmage including the spring game. Getting his hands on the football hasn't been an issue at Oregon — Springs broke up a team-leading 12 passes as a junior — but securing them has been more difficult. If Springs can produce turnovers this fall the way he did in the spring, the Ducks will feel very secure about at least one corner spot in 2017.: The other spring sensation in April was a newcomer, cornerbackHe impressed coaches from the very first practice, and was taking reps with the first unit by the end of the opening week. Graham is physical and instinctive, welcome traits for a UO secondary looking to play with more of each. Safetyalso enrolled in time for spring drills, and he capped the month with an interception in the spring game, off a deflected pass. This summer they were joined by highly rated classmateand his close friend, safety. A rising tide lifts all boats, and the Ducks added some athletes who should improve the level of competition in the secondary even further as preseason camp opens., Sr.;, RSr.;, Fr.;, So., Jr.;, Fr.; ;, RFr.;, So., Jr.;, RFr.;, Jr.;, Fr.;, RFr., So.;, RSr.;, Fr.;, Jr., Jr.;, So.: One question as camp nears is how new coordinatorintends to array his defense formationally. In the spring he experimented extensively with a "Duck" package that used safetyor athletic outside linebackerin a hybrid role, pressuring the passer off the edge. The Ducks also were deployed in a traditional 3-4 with four defensive backs, and of course the standard nickel and dime packages. Will there be a "base" defensive look in which Oregon takes the field for a majority of snaps, or will Leavitt rotate freely? A couple individual players to watch include Amadi, who made a big-time push late in spring drills; redshirt freshman, arguably the most physical presence in the secondary; and the new addition Lenoir, who has the skills to play either cornerback or safety.