We’re taking a look at each position group as Oregon prepares to open spring practice on March 16. The ninth of a 10-part series looks at the inside linebackers.
There is significant turnover at inside linebacker for Oregon this offseason, with multiple players returning, multiple players leaving and multiple transfers coming in.
Jeff Bassa and Keith Brown are back and enter spring atop the depth chart with Jestin Jacobs and Connor Soelle joining the room from Iowa and Arizona State, respectively.
Gone are Noah Sewell and Justin Flowe, a hyped tandem that seldom got to play together the past three seasons due in large part to injury.
Projected depth chart:
Middle linebacker
Keith Brown, junior, 21 tackles with one sack OR
Jestin Jacobs, fifth-year redshirt-junior, (at Iowa) six tackles with one for loss, one pass breakup in two games due to injury
Devon Jackson, redshirt-freshman, one tackle
Weak-side linebacker
Jeff Bassa, junior, 62 tackles with four for loss, including two sacks, and two interceptions
Connor Soelle, fifth-year redshirt-junior, (at Arizona State) 30 tackles with one for loss, one pass breakup
Harrison Taggart, redshirt-freshman
Departed: Noah Sewell (entered NFL Draft), Justin Flowe (transferred to Arizona), Jackson LaDuke (transferred to Nevada), Jonathan Flowe (entered transfer portal)
Due to arrive in the fall: Jerry Mixon
Outlook: With what Dan Lanning got out of Georgia’s linebackers during his time there the production from UO’s linebacker room last season was extremely disappointing. The room underachieved and its biggest weaknesses, mainly in pass coverage, didn’t improve.
There’s changes in personnel and in coaching this offseason and that should lead to different results. Jacobs is lauded by his former Iowa teammates and he and Soelle will be no less than on the two-deep.
Bassa has made the move to inside linebacker permanent at this point and been productive, but still has a lot to refine. Brown should be in line for his most opportunities and closed last season nicely in the Holiday Bowl.
Spring should be particularly important for Devon Jackson and Harrison Taggart, who each redshirted last season.
