Oregon Ducks defensive back position competition for fall 2024.
Dan Lanning has established a formidable force in Oregon’s defensive backfield.
The Ducks’ secondary is brimming with talent, from returning players Jahlil Florence and Dontae Manning to four-star recruits and exceptional transfer Jabbar Muhammad.
With so much skill at the position, it will be a weekly struggle for starting slots.
So, as fall approaches and players return home for their (ever-brief) summer break, which Ducks appear to be ahead of the pack?
The case for Jahlil Florence
35 total tackles
1 sack
1 forced fumble
2 interceptions
1 pass deflection
Last season, Jahlil Florence was one of the go-to guys for the Oregon Ducks and defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi’s secondary.
Florence recorded 21 solo tackles, 1 interception, and 1 pass deflection in 2023, alongside 1 forced fumble as a defensive back.
Heading into his junior season with the Ducks, Florence is projected to once again be a starter in Oregon’s secondary but could his place be stolen by one of his teammates?
At just 6-foot-1, Florence is on the smaller side for a defensive back yet he has a few inches on either Dontae Manning and Jabbar Muhammad who both stand at 5-foot-10.
However, both Muhammad and Manning have extra experience over the to-be third-year defensive back.
The case for Dontae Manning
63 total tackles
1 interception
8 pass deflections
Dontae Manning was wildly underrated throughout the 2023-24 season but he has repeatedly put together impressive seasons for the Ducks.
Last season, Manning had 25 total tackles, 17 of them being solo takedowns, and an impressive 6 pass deflections.
Every year that Manning has played for the Ducks, the defensive back has improved his stock value for Oregon and hopes, as well as expectations, are that the same will continue in 2024.
While Manning is undersized for the position, his speed and vertical make up for his lack of stature.
The case for Jabbar Muhammad
118 total tackles
2.5 sacks
1 forced fumble
1 fumble recovery
4 interceptions
26 pass deflections
The man of the hour for the defensive back position in Eugene, Jabbar Muhammad is expected to become a star for the Oregon Ducks.
After a highly impressive season for the Washington Huskies, Muhammad committed to Dan Lanning and the Ducks after Kalen Deboer abandoned ship.
Muhammad started his career for the Oklahoma State Cowboys where he garnered national attention before transferring to Seattle.
As a fifth-year athlete, Muhammad is the most experienced defensive back on Oregon’s roster and has, thus far, been the most successful.
In 2023, Muhammad had 41 solo tackles, 14 pass deflections, and 3 interceptions. In the National Championship game against the title-winning Michigan Wolverines, he had 2 tackles and 1 pass deflection.
His strength, speed, and ball awareness give Muhammad a leg up over his competition on the Oregon roster but, at the end of the day, he is still new to the Ducks’ program.
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