Nick Aliotti loses four-year starter Casey Matthews, reliable Spencer Paysinger, and reserve Bryson Littlejohn, but he and position coach Don Pellum have ample options left in the linebacker corps.
Michael Clay, Boseko Lokombo and Josh Kaddu all got plenty of playing time in this year's rotation. In fact Clay was eighth on the team with 42 tackles, tops among nonstarters in just his sophomore year. Lokombo, a special teams stalwart who returned a fumble for a touchdown against Arizona State, was just behind him with 36 and three total fumble recoveries, displaying a nose for the football and good athletic ability. Kaddu added 32 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
The big issue will be depth. These three are promising, capable replacements for the departing seniors, but a linebacker rotation that went seven deep in 2010 is suddenly thinner and far less experienced, more vulnerable to injury. Dewitt Stuckey returns for his senior year, and he's seen a little time in all three seasons, chiefly on special teams, and at 5-11 221 he may thrive with a greater opportunity to play and contribute. After sitting out a year for a disciplinary suspension Kiko Alonso, 6-4, 222, will have new resolve, and reports are he blew things up on the scout team and in practice. He'll be determined to make a mark in his final two years of elibility, and has a big upside.
A couple of talented newcomers might contribute immediately. Colt Lyerla might be inserted in this group, and he has the physical maturity and talent to make an impact in his first year. Texas state 4-star recruit Anthony Wallace is a potential star at 6-2 220, and the Dallas native wants to play right away. The son of a former NFL player, gifted and sought after, Wallace could be a potential star. He has all-conference physical tools. He's also a top student, easily the highest-rated linebacker prospect the Ducks have ever signed if he does send in his letter of intent.
Position shifts could also deepen the talent pool. Eddie Pleasant might rejoin the linebackers after a year at safety. He seems a more natural fit here despite his tweener size at 5-11, 213. At times Pleasant looked lost in coverage playing deep, and at LB he can better use his exceptional speed and agility to make plays and attack the football. Depending on their development, Tyson Coleman, Derrick Malone and Isaac Dixon could end up taking practice reps with this group. Recruits Rahim Cassell and Carlyle Garrick are probably a year away from contributing, but the Ducks still might get a late commit from a potential difference maker. Branden Jackson, a teammate of Oregon target DT Delvon Simmons, is still uncommitted and remains a possibility. Lamar Dawson, a 6-2, 230-lb. middle linebacker from Danville, Kentucky, is another.
With another off season to train, Clay, Kaddu, Lokombo, Stuckey and Alonso are probably an upgrade in speed and agility from Matthews and Paysinger. The challenge will be to replace the departing seniors' leadership, instincts, experience and understanding of the system. If Oregon's defense is to be as effective and ball hawking as last year's, they will have to play big, stay healthy, and achieve their potential.
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