In Tuesday’s first official spring practice, Oregon newcomer Derrick Jones sprinted past a defensive back and hauled in a pass from quarterback Brady Leaf.
Second-year receiver and three-sport athlete Jordan Kent did the same, only this time from quarterback Dennis Dixon. Dixon and Leaf, both juniors-to-be, headlined the first day of spring practice for the Ducks.
The two are expected to compete for time next season after splitting offensive series in Oregon’s final four games following the injury to Kellen Clemens.
Dixon played the majority of snaps last season. Tuesday, both quarterbacks took equal reps.
“I thought Dennis did a decent job. Brady, the week or two he missed due to the appendectomy, put him behind a little bit. But he makes plays,” Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said.
Leaf said both he and Dixon are approaching the competition with a team-first mentality.
“I’m just focusing on getting better as a team,” Leaf said. “(The quarterback position) is obviously a competition. But everybody’s competing with everybody. Everybody wants to play. There’s no hard feelings – we’re teammates. We both want to play, but we both want to help this team win, and whoever is going to do that belongs on the field.”
Tuesday’s practice was the first for six newcomers hoping to make an early impact.
Junior college transfers include cornerbacks Jameel Dowling and Matthew Harper.
“I thought I saw some good things from the incoming (defensive backs),” Bellotti said. “They were in the right place a couple times and look like they move well.”
Right guard Fenuki Tupou and left guard Pat So’oalo are the other transfers joining Oregon in the spring.
“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for so long,” said So’oalo, who originally signed with the Ducks in 2003 before playing at Fresno City College. “It’s way different from high school and way different from (junior college). Coaches’ expectations are very high, and so I’m going to try my best to meet those expectations.”early high school graduates include Jones and tight end Brandon Bair.
Bellotti, who is entering his 12th spring with the Ducks, is looking for a few players to emerge this spring and fill the losses of many key positions.
Oregon lost one of its most decorated defensive tackles in Haloti Ngata, defensive end and team sack leader Devan Long and its two starting cornerbacks Justin Phinisee and Aaron Gipson.
Returning defensive tackle Matt Toeaina has made the switch to left defensive end and Cole Linehan and David Faaeteete are tops on the list of successors at the left and right defensive tackle positions. Walter Thurmond III and Jackie Bates are listed atop the two cornerback positions on the depth chart.
“It’s a good pressure,” Bates said about being the lone returning cornerback. “I feel I play my best at that time. I learned a lot from Justin and Aaron. Now it’s my time to step up and lead these guys.”
The Ducks have returning starters in 16 positions, including the entire offensive line except tight end.
Oregon has 14 more spring practices and will wear pads for the first time this Friday.
