Latest accolade proving that the Oregon Ducks have a future star emerging on their team before Big Ten Championship
Entering the season, the hype around the Oregon Ducks was huge. They entered the season as the No. 3 team in the country in the coaches poll, and defensive end Jordan Burch was getting plenty of love for his combination of size and athleticism, and rightly so. When Burch has been healthy this year, he's […]
Entering the season, the hype around the Oregon Ducks was huge. They entered the season as the No. 3 team in the country in the coaches poll, and defensive end Jordan Burch was getting plenty of love for his combination of size and athleticism, and rightly so. When Burch has been healthy this year, he's been a big time difference maker off the edge.
Opposite Burch, true sophomore Matayo Uiagalelei was going to have every opportunity to emerge into a star in his own right, and he has fully capitalized on that chance.
Uiagalelei has blossomed into one of the best pass rushers in the country, earning a spot on the 2024 First Team All-Big Ten team. In the final regular season game of the year, the Oregon defense set a program record with 10 sacks in a single game, with Uiagalelei getting in on the party with five pressures and two sacks.
On the year, Uiagalelei recorded 10.5 sacks, leading the conference, two forced fumbles, and a crucial interception to seal a victory on the road in Wisconsin.
His 10.5 sacks is the first double digit sack season by an Oregon Duck since Deforest Buckner in 2015.
This offseason is going to see Jordan Burch head to the NFL, with the junior Uiagalelei returning next year to take the mantle as the unquestioned leader on the defensive line. Watching him continue to blossom as a player and a leader for head coach Dan Lanning's defense is going to be a wonderful storyline heading into 2025.
The season is far from over, though. Uiagalelei has an opportunity to become a household name with the Big Ten Championship and a College Football Playoffs berth on the horizon. One of the hardest players in the country to block will have plenty of chances to go good-on-good against some of the top teams in the country.
Follow along all year for more Oregon Ducks coverage on A to Z Sports. You can find me on Bluesky @jonhelmkamp.bsky.social, as well as follow our main page @AtoZSports.bsky.social for all the latest news.
