Oregon Players To Watch

5. S Erick Dargan, Sr.

The 5-11, 210-pound veteran safety was turning in a nice career before becoming a bigger part of the defense in his final campaign. Big, tough and reliable, he not only led the team with 90 tackles, he came up with a Pac-12-leading five picks in the regular season before coming up with one in the Pac-12 championship game and one in the Rose Bowl against Florida State. He came up with four double-digit tackle games in Pac-12 play, and was big in the open field against FSU with six solo stops and a strong all-around performance. He’ll have to do a little of everything against the Buckeyes, too. 

4. DE DeForest Buckner, Jr.

After showing flashes of greatness in his first few years, he became special throughout this season turning into a whale of a pro prospect and a possible top 50 overall pick if he chooses to come out early. A 6-7, 290-pound playmaker, the all-star led the team with 13 tackles for loss and four sacks to go along with a whopping 73 tackles – he’s a dream of a 3-4 defensive end who can do it all. Steady throughout the year, he had one of his biggest games in the lone loss, coming up with 11 stops against Arizona the first time around making several big plays throughout. 

3. RB Royce Freeman, Fr.

Thomas Tyner was supposed to be the main man for the rushing attack, and Byron Marshall was going to get some work, despite being utilized more as a receiver, but the 6-0, 229-pound Freeman turned into a superstar rushing for 1,343 yards and 18 scores utilizing a breathtaking blend of speed and power. He was stuffed for 44 yards on 12 carries against Florida State – who seemed to gameplan around keeping his big runs to a minimum – but he fought his way to two touchdowns. Before the Rose Bowl he ran for 98 yards or more in nine straight games with four scores against Washington and with two touchdowns or more in seven games of the 14 games. 

2. OT Jake Fisher, Sr.

It was the easy talking point excuse for the Arizona loss – the offense didn’t work quite right because Fisher was out hurt. As it turned out, that might have actually been a main part of the problem as the 6-6, 300-pounder turned in an All-America caliber season as he cut down on the penalties, got more consistent as a pass protector, and turned into a pounder of a run blocker with a bit of a nasty streak. The former tight end has great feet and speed, with all the raw tools the NFL types are going to like. He might not have the bulk, but he’ll be a star in the right system. For now, he has one more game to protect Mr. Mariota. 

1. QB Marcus Mariota, Jr.

The Heisman-winner has been so good and so efficient and so effective that he almost makes it look effortless. The nation’s most efficient passer threw for a 4,121 yards with 40 touchdowns and a mind-boggling three picks on 408 pass attempts, giving one away against Florida State, but making up for it by hitting 72% of his passes for 338 yards and two scores. Not only did he throw for two touchdowns or more in every game this year, but he added in 731 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns despite not being a true runner. Of course he takes off, and of course plays are designed around getting him into the open field, but they’re all within the system – he doesn’t have to run for the offense to move. Of course, Ohio State will target stopping him and try rattling what he does from the start, but Pac-12 teams have tried doing that for three years with little success.