Oregon: True Freshmen To Watch in 2020

Every February (and now December) college football teams sign a new class of football players to join their program. It’s exciting to dream about what a prospect can become in the future but come September, some of those freshman will redshirt and wait for their opportunity to shine, while a few will be given the chance to make an immediate impact this season. In this series we will take a team by team look at the true freshman who could be given the opportunity to make a name for themselves in 2020. Today we will look at a few of the Oregon Ducks true freshmen to watch in 2020.

We already featured Justin Flowe in the freshman spotlight so we will not discuss him in this article though we obviously expect him to play in 2020. You can read about him in the freshman spotlight by clicking here.

Dontae Manning – CB

The Ducks return starting senior cornerbacks Deommodore Lenoir and Thomas Graham Jr. Nickel back Jevon Holland is also back and the trio will be the main players at corner for the Ducks in 2020. Behind the starters the Ducks do have some young depth in DJ James and Mykael Wright but you can never have too much depth in the secondary. It’s likely that the Ducks will need to replace Lenoir, Graham and Holland after the season and it is imperative they continue to develop quality depth this season. Manning is a talented prospect and will be a key piece of the future in the secondary, he will be in the mix to provide depth in 2020 and the Ducks will try to get him experience this season.

Dontae Manning starred at Raytown High School in Missouri before arriving at Oregon. He has excellent speed that allows him to stay with receivers all over the football field. Manning has the hips and fluidity to turn and run with receivers in man coverage. He couples his excellent athleticism with adequate size and solid technique. Manning has the ball skills to convert turnovers and win in 50/50 situations. He tracks the ball well and has the leaping ability and body control to make the play on the ball. Manning will be able to provide depth and get seasoning as a true freshman that will prepare for a bigger role in 2021. He has the talent to be a good player early in his career, and will get playing time even in a crowded cornerback room.

Noah Sewell – LB

The top linebacker on the 2019 team was superstar Troy Dye but the senior has now moved on, leaving the Ducks searching for a new leader in the position group. Also gone are linebackers Bryson Young, who had 56 tackles last year, and La’Mar Winston Jr., who was a key reserve. The position lost two starters and a key reserve leaving plenty of playing time to be had in 2020. The linebacker core is in need of new talent and Justin Flowe is not the only big time recruit arriving this year in Eugene. Noah Sewell is a big and talented athlete who can impose his will on the football field, he will have a chance to earn playing time this season for the Ducks.

Noah Sewell racked up over 100 tackles as a senior at Orem High School in Utah. He has excellent size and could be considered too big for linebacker, but his athleticism allows him to stick at the position. He has great speed, explosion and change of direction ability for a player his size and can pursue smaller players sideline to sideline. He is a strong football player who dominates at the point of attack and is a physical tackler. Sewell is a capable pass defender as well and could play any of the linebacker spots for the Ducks. He is physically ready and will be able to become an instant impact player at Oregon. The combination of Sewell and Flowe could one day be the best in college football.

Jonathan Denis – OL

The Ducks offensive line will look very different in 2020, they are replacing four starters from a year ago. The good news is Penei Sewell returns, he is the #1 offensive tackle in our rankings and an absolute stud on the offensive line. Still, replacing four starters is a tall order and Oregon will have to find players that can play up front and others to provide quality depth behind them. With all of the upheaval on the offensive line this is a golden opportunity for younger players to get into the two deep and earn playing time this season. Denis is a player who has the talent to take advantage of this opportunity and set himself up as a key player going forward.

Jonathan Denis was a standout at South Dade High School in Florida. He is a guard at the college level but has the footwork and athleticism to find second level defenders. Denis has typical height for a guard, but is well put together and has good strength for a young player. He will need to get bigger but enrolled early and has had time in the Ducks strength and conditioning program already. He can hold his own as a run blocker and as a pass blocker on the interior of the offensive line. His athleticism and strength will give him the opportunity to shine in a reserve role for the Ducks in 2020 and prepare himself for a more prominent role going forward.

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