A pair of talented Oregon Duck true freshman lead the way in this weeks edition of the stock up and stock down report
Who helped themselves and who lowered their stock in Oregon’s loss against Indiana.
Autzen Stadium was anything but unfriendly Saturday, yet the Ducks’ 18-game home winning streak came crashing down in a 30-20 defeat to Indiana, a result that raised as many questions as it did eyebrows. What was supposed to be a statement win turned into a harsh reality check: Oregon’s offense struggled to protect the quarterback, the ground game was kept in check, and turnovers proved costly. Still, even in defeat, there were bright spots and key personnel who held or boosted their value. Let’s break down who’s seeing their stock rise and who needs to redeem themselves after one of the Ducks’ most defining early-season setbacks.
Stock Up
Brandon Finney Jr.
The Ducks appear to have struck gold in true freshman cornerback Brandon Finney Jr. The 5-star recruit out of high school has more than lived up to the hype. He has started every game for the Ducks and has established himself as one of the team’s best players. He had an outstanding game last Saturday in the loss to Indiana and actually made the play of the game for the Ducks as he delivered a key pick-six at a crucial time in the game.
Jordon Davison
Another true freshman, Davison was one of the few bright spots for the Ducks’ offense. He led the team in rushing and was the reason the Ducks were able to move the ball efficiently in the first half. Unfortunately, the Ducks’ offense moved away from Davison inexplicably, but he proved he was worthy of more touches.
A’Mauri Washington
Washington flashed throughout the game and was a dominant force up front. His speed and power are evident, and he can displace blockers once he gets his paws on his opponent. He was a big reason the Ducks’ defense could make stops against Indiana’s high-flying offense.
Stock Down
Jamari Johnson
Johnson has seen his snaps increase recently, but that might change after the Indiana game. Johnson had a crucial third-down drop at the end of the second quarter, which would have put the Ducks’ offense in scoring position. He also missed multiple blocks when put in one-on-one situations with linebackers and defensive ends. Overall, it was a day to forget for Johnson.
Devon Jackson
I had hoped that Jackson would take the next step in his development, as he is an extremely gifted athlete, but that development has yet to come. Jackson has outstanding speed and range, but none of that matters if he can’t trust his eyes. He was fooled by Indiana’s use of play action and RPOs and consistently allowed receivers to get free in his zones. In addition, Jackson missed multiple tackles against Indiana and allowed their ball carriers to spring big plays.
