After moving from safety to receiver midway through last fall, Brenden Schooler started three games out wide during the 2017 season. The season had to be considered a success, as Schooler made the most of the new position, ranking fourth among receivers in receptions (20), yards (274) and second in touchdowns (3).

Schooler opened the 2018 season as a second team receiver, and despite playing a fair share of snaps was not targeted once in the team's opener against Bowling Green. Yet, dropped passes, primarily by starter Johnny Johnson, may have opened the door for Schooler to receive a greater role.

Against Portland State, Johnson, who dropped two passes in the season debut, dropped another on the team's second offensive drive. On the next play, Schooler moved the chains with a catch. For the game, Schooler caught all four passes thrown his way for 30 yards, while Johnson had two for 24 yards.

“I felt like I played pretty well," Schooler said following Tuesday's practice. "I caught the ball well, ran my routes and blocked well."

Oregon's staff seems to be in agreement. Monday's depth chart placed an 'OR' between Johnson and Schooler for the first time this fall, and during Tuesday's open practice, Schooler ran with the first-team.

“I’m just out here working hard," Schooler said of the depth chart. "If the coaches want to organize the depth chart a certain way, that’s their decision. I’m just out here to play football."

Instant Takeaways from Oregon's Tuesday San Jose State Practice

Ultimately, Schooler is more worried about reps than the two-deep. On Saturday, he played a few more snaps than Johnson, he said, and in the opener it was fairly even too. That's one of the benefits the team's depth provides, he added.

“We have a good five or six guys that get in," he said. "I think it’s perfect. I got about 35 snaps last game. D-Mitch got about 40 and Johnny got about 30. So, we’re all getting the right number of snaps."

Schooler has been reliable through two games this fall. All four targets have resulted in catches, while eight throws sent Johnson's way have resulted in just three catches. It's an area that remains a concern for the 20th ranked Ducks.

“It happens," Schooler said of dropped passes. "You’re going to drop a few here and there, no one is perfect. When someone does drop a ball, we try to rally around him and pick him up, tell them their fine, dust them off so they can get out there and make more plays.

“I feel like I have pretty good hands for the most part. I take pride in not dropping balls. All of the receivers do. We all get on the jugs after practice."

Quarterback Justin Herbert isn't feeling any ill-will to his receivers either. The junior has been on the money far more often than not, but has seen numerous passes hit the turf.

"They’re not trying to drop balls and they’re doing a great job," he said. "They’re the first ones out on the field working in practice. I’ve still got confidence in them and I know that when they drop they’re on to the next play. I know they’ll get the next one.”