Oregon Ducks Football: 3 Second-Year Players Poised for Stardom in 2023
The inaugural campaign of Dan Lanning as Oregon's head football coach was a great success. The program seemed to be in better health than it has in a while, and things look well for the future.
After leading the offense and the transfer quarterback Bo Nix to a 10-3 record for the Ducks in 2022, Kenny Dillingham was able to land the head coaching position at Arizona State. The Ducks will attempt to surpass their achievements from the previous campaign by building on their improved offensive performance and the return of Nix.
These second-year players will need to contribute if Oregon wants to contend for the Pac-12 championship in 2023.
#3. Kyler Kasper, Wide Receiver
Jurrion Dickey, a quality wide receiver from the 2023 class, and a few transfer receivers were added to Oregon's receiving corps this offseason, but Kyle Kasper, the top-ranked pass-catcher in the Ducks' 2022 class, saw his role grow this season. Kasper's rookie season was rather quiet because the Ducks didn't really need him to play a lot. He made three appearances and caught one four-yard pass.
He was able to save his redshirt, and now that Chase Cota is gone and Dont'e Thornton has transferred to Tennessee, I think Kasper will play a significant role and gain from Bo Nix's return.
Kasper, a 6-foot-5, 200-pound receiver from Gilbert, Arizona, was the No. 150 overall recruit and 25th-best receiver in the 2022 class. He has the ideal build to be a jump-ball threat in this Oregon offense.
#2. Jahlil Florence, Cornerback
The cornerback with the most output in his rookie season was Jahlil Florence. Florence had 8 tackles, 1 interception, and 1 forced turnover in the 2022 season.
Yet, after seeing Florence perform admirably in a little amount of action last season, I'm quite enthusiastic about him. With eight total tackles, a tackle for loss, and an interception, he had a successful season. He has an opportunity to capitalize on this and emerge as a defensive dynamo for Dan Lanning, in my opinion.
#1. Josh Conerly Jr., Offensive Tackle
This class of 2022's recruitment was one of the most competitive. Josh Conerly was always being pursued by Oregon, but USC always appeared to be the front-runner. Even Washington, a team with a five-star offensive tackle, was vying to keep the player at home in Seattle.
Dan Lanning was able to close on Conerly and steal him from a few other Pac-12 rivals once Oregon's coaching situation changed. Hell, Conerly had more than 30 offers, so the fact that Lanning entered and slammed the door right away kind of demonstrated to the rest of the nation what type of recruiting skills he possessed.
Conerly played in little over 100 total snaps as a rookie and was competent, but I believe he will break out as a standout in 2023. With TJ Bass gone, Oregon's former No. 1 offensive lineman is going to have a season worthy of the Pac-12.
