Oregon Ducks’ biggest strength highlights as Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List includes three key starters
The focus of the Oregon Ducks’ 2025 season revolves around first-year starting quarterback Dante Moore, but the key to their season might be the blockers who keep him safe. The Ducks have a loaded roster once again, but the defending Big Ten champions haven’t received a ton of hype this offseason until now. This week’s […]
The focus of the Oregon Ducks’ 2025 season revolves around first-year starting quarterback Dante Moore, but the key to their season might be the blockers who keep him safe. The Ducks have a loaded roster once again, but the defending Big Ten champions haven’t received a ton of hype this offseason until now. This week’s release of the Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List reinforced that the trenches will drive Dan Lanning’s season.
The Outland Trophy is presented to the top interior lineman in the nation. The last time a Ducks player won it was Penei Sewell in 2019. Three blockers have the early chance to follow in Sewell’s dominant footsteps.
New transfer addition Isaiah World joins former USC guard Emmanuel Pregnon and incumbent center Iapani Laloulu as prominently featured stars. While interior defensive linemen can compete, Oregon’s young talent was not included. They’ll have to earn their way in.
Laloulu is a stellar pass-blocking center who allowed 10 pressures but zero sacks in 2024. He spent some time at right guard last year, but that won’t be an issue after the Ducks improved their depth. He did rack up seven penalties, which will be a key focus for improvement.
Adding Pregnon from USC will be an interesting one to watch unfold. He graded at PFF as an elite pass-blocker in 2023 but took a step back in 2024. He has a ton of experience, though, moving from a full-time right guard at Wyoming in 2022 to left guard for the last two years.
If Pregnon can cut down on his 32 pressures allowed over the last two years, he could be a huge impact presence. His efficiency has always been good, though, and he cut his penalties from seven to one last year. He’s on the right trajectory.
World comes from Nevada and was highly sought after by other College Football Playoff contenders like Ohio State. The 6-foot-8 presence is a pure pass-blocker with heavy feet and hands. His advanced numbers massively improved last year, cutting his pressures allowed from 34 to 15, and penalties from 11 to eight.
