JC transfer brings needed depth to the Oregon DL

The Oregon Ducks held one of their final fall camp sessions on Thursday, nine short days from their home-opener on September 2nd against Southern Utah. One of the questions going into the 2017 season was: How much depth would they have at defensive tackle?

After all, redshirt freshman DT Rutger Reitmeier left the team in July after discovering he wanted to be closer to his Tennessee home. About that same time the Ducks announced junior DT Rex Manu “is not competing in football this fall because of medical reasons.”

With Jim Leavitt switching the defense back to an odd-front base, that left three true freshmen, Jordon Scott, Austin Faoliu and (injured) Popo Aumavae, as the prime candidates for the nose tackle position.

On Thursday that depth chart got a little deeper as Eastern Arizona defensive tackle Malik Young participated in his first practice as a Duck after enrolling in classes at the University of Oregon on Wednesday.

The 6-foot-2, 301-pound defender transferred to Oregon with one year of eligibility remaining. Due to some unique circumstances, Young could recover another year, but Oregon won't be able to petition on his behalf until after the season.

In 2016 for Eastern Arizona, Young was second on the team with 65 tackles, while as a freshman he had 46. The addition of a three-star rated JC veteran at nose tackle is exactly what the Ducks needed on defense.

“He’s a good defensive lineman,” said head coach Willie Taggart before practice on Thursday. “A kid that has size, plays with leverage. Really athletic to be the size that he is. The D-line is an area that we needed some depth and I think it worked out perfectly for us.”

Exactly when he will be able to help is uncertain, but largely up to him. His first five practices will be progressing towards full pads. With a week until the first game and a practice under his belt, he could conceivably see the field on Saturday evening.

But Duck fans staring at the field waiting for #94 to appear might be disappointed.

“He has got to get himself in condition and learn the system,” said Taggart. “I don’t necessarily pick for the kids (when they first play). I let them pick by the way they perform. If he can come out, get himself in shape, learn the defense and make plays, he will get on the football field. Pretty simple.”