It does not matter who Oregon’s quarterback is if they are constantly on their back. The Oregon offensive line will be rebuilding around two experienced upperclassmen: Tyrell Crosby and Cameron Hunt. With Tyler Johnstone, Matt Hegarty and Matt Pierson departing from the line this offseason, Crosby and Hunt will be the leaders of a work-in-progress group.
Crosby, who started 12 games at right tackle last season, made the move to left tackle this spring. His 1,046 plays last season were the most of any Oregon offensive player and he will need to channel all of his experience when adapting to the left side of the line. He is a candidate for pre-season first team all-Pac 12 and is on the Outland Trophy watch list.
Hunt is projected to start at one of the guard positions come fall, but there is a possibility he moves to the right tackle position. He sat out of spring competition with an injury, so it is all speculation, but his three years of experience starting at guard makes it likely that he will remain there.
Fifth year transfer Zac Morgan from Dayton will most likely start at the right tackle position. Morgan started at both tackle positions during his career at Dayton and earned first team all-Pioneer league last season. Morgan is a three time second-team academic all-conference honoree and he was honored with Dayton’s Outstanding Lineman Award each of the last two seasons.
Redshirt freshman Jake Hanson has emerged as the starter at center. Last season, Hanson was talented enough to break into the offensive line rotation, but the coaching staff decided to redshirt him. His athleticism was obvious at spring practices and the spring game where he took majority of the snaps with the first team. The learning curve will come with the cerebral responsibilities of the center position. He will be responsible for adjusting to what the defense is doing and communicating along the offensive line while also assisting a new quarterback.
Multiple players will be competing for the final spot. It depends on where Hunt and Morgan end up, but Evan Voeller, Jake Pisarcik, Shane Lemieux, Zach Okun, Doug Brenner and Calvin Throckmorton will all be competing for a starting spot or a place in the rotation.
Pisarcik and Voeller were both used at various positions throughout the line last season. Pisarcik played 35 snaps in the Alamo Bowl and 33 against California. Voeller got the nod as starter at left guard last season against Washington and Arizona State.
Zach Okun looked impressive in the spring and will be fighting to enter the mix come fall.
Projected starting five:
Left Tackle – Tyrell Crosby (6-5, 310, Jr.)
Left Guard – Jake Pisarcik (6-2, 300, rJr.)
Center – Jake Hanson (6-5, 288, rFr.)
Right Guard – Cameron Hunt (6-4, 294, Sr.)
Right Tackle – Zac Morgan (6-7, 280, rSr.)
Overall, the 2016-17 offensive line will be a work-in-progress. Fall camp will be an opportunity to see where the players will end up come September, but the competitions will likely extend into the season. Expect a lot of names at multiple positions to be an option. Despite multiple positions in flux, the talent is there, and having Royce Freeman, Taj Griffin, Kenni Benoit and Tony Brooks-James as running backs will take pressure off of the group.
Follow Jack Butler on Twitter @Butler917