Predicting Stats for Ducks' Top Performers in 2012

The college football season is a month and one day away.

How exciting is that?

While many teams are poised for yet another new season, the Oregon Ducks are priming themselves for their fourth straight Pac-10/12 title and a possible appearance in the BCS National Championship game. And though the Ducks did lose both LaMichael James and Darron Thomas, many are predicting they won't skip a beat in most offensive and defensive categories.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Ducks return a total of five starters, including the talented De'Anthony Thomas, Kenjon Barner, Josh Huff, and Carson York. 

Defensively, the Ducks return seven starters including talents Dion Jordan and Michael Clay.

Needless to say, the Ducks boast a plethora of talent on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. 

Though football is one of the ultimate team sports, individual statistics are very hard to ignore. Collectively, all the players on the Oregon football team will help make 2012 a great season once again. Individually, some will rise higher than before while outperforming their peers on paper.

Here are my predictions for the statistics of who will be the top performers for the Oregon Ducks in 2012. 

Offensive Line: Carson York

Though the entire offensive line should be as productive as they were in the 2011 season, Carson York will anchor the line itself. 

While we can throw out a ton of statistics, like numerous types of blocks recorded, York has already proved himself as the focus of the Oregon line both on and off the field.

A Second Team Academic All-American in 2011, York will situate himself at guard after having an impressive 2011 campaign at the left guard position.

Despite suffering an injury that required surgery in the 2012 Rose Bowl game against Wisconsin, York is earning plenty of accolades as all signs indicate that he is back on the right track. He is nominated for both the Rotary Lombardi Award (lineman) as well as the Outland Trophy (interior lineman).

York gives the Ducks a much-needed senior presence on the line and will continue to help forward a rushing attack that is one of the best in the nation.

Quarterback: Brian Bennett*

(*Pending being named starter. Both quarterbacks' anticipated stats—should they start—will be listed.)

Bennett has already shown that he can successfully engineer the Ducks' offense as he made appearances every so often in 2012 when Darron Thomas was suffering through an injury. 

Expect his 2012 stats—should he start—to look like this:

Completions: 255

Attempts: 425

Completion %: 60

Yards: 2824

TD: 30

Yards/Attempt: 6.6

Rushing Attempts: 60

Rushing Yards: 297

TD: 5

As mentioned earlier, Bennett has already proven himself to be a viable option at quarterback for the Ducks. Compared to Darron Thomas, Bennett has a better arm, more accuracy, and better top speed than Thomas.

While the Ducks do have great players in Kenjon Barner and De'Anthony Thomas, Bennett's passing presence should give Oregon even more options when moving down the field. 

Quarterback: Marcus Mariota*

(*Pending being named starter. Both quarterbacks' anticipated stats—should they start—will be listed.)

Marcus Mariota has emerged as a dark-horse candidate for the Oregon Ducks at quarterback. Virtually the same athlete as Bennett, Mariota may be a touch faster than his counterpart with whom he is competing for a starting spot at quarterback.

Completions: 255

Attempts: 425

Completion %: 60

Yards: 2824

TD: 26

Yards/Attempt: 6.6

Rushing Attempts: 67

Rushing Yards: 325

TD: 8

Yes, Bennett's and Mariota's passing statistics are virtually the same, reflecting their similarities. The only notable difference is Mariota's speed and the likelihood to rely more on his own legs to move the Oregon offense down the field. 

Running Back: Kenjon Barner

With the departure of LaMichael James to the NFL, Kenjon Barner will finally step into the spotlight at running back for the Ducks. 

Alongside talented true sophomore De'Anthony Thomas, Barner should be one of the features of Oregon's prolific rushing attack.

Here are his 2012 anticipated statistics:

Attempts: 292

Rushing Yards: 2,028

Yards/Attempt: 6.9

TD: 17

Though he doesn't have the cutback speed of James, Barner should still be able to put up great numbers for the Ducks in his first year as a true starter. 

Taser: De'Anthony Thomas

The taser is one of the more unique positions in Chip Kelly's spread offense and will be assigned to do it all athlete DeAnthony Thomas. He will use his skills to be incorporated in both the rushing and receiving game.

Here are his anticipated stats for the 2012 season:

Rushing Attempts: 137

Rushing Yards: 1,017

Rushing Yards/Attempt: 7.4

TD: 15

Receptions: 57

Yards: 683

Average: 11.9

TD: 12

With Lavasier Tuinei's for the NFL, the Ducks are suffering from a lack of depth at the receiver position, an argument for De'Anthony Thomas spending more time as receiver. Though he should be able to stretch the field at times, Thomas will obtain most of his yards after the catch, as he has some of the best speed and maneuverability in the nation.

Wide Receiver: B.J. Kelley

With Josh Huff likely suspended for at least a game and Justin Hoffman out due to concussion-related issues, the Ducks will have a lack of experience at the receiver position. Still, that isn't to say that they don't have the talent to still have impact players at the edges.

One of the more surprising stories during spring camp has been B.J. Kelley. Though he could bulk up a little more during the summer, Kelley presents the Ducks with yet another fast weapon. Expect him to be the top true wide receiver for the Oregon Ducks this season.

Here are his projected 2012 statistics:

Receptions: 49

Yards: 635

Yards per catch: 12.9

TD: 11

As mentioned above, B.J. Kelley will be one of the breakout stories for the Ducks as he merges into the roll of receiver due to a lack of experience at the position. While there are other players that will contribute significantly at receiver for the Ducks–notably Rahsaan Vaughn and Josh Huff–Kelley should be the No. 1 receiver come the end of the year. 

Tight End: Colt Lyerla

Filling the hole that David Paulson left at tight end for the Ducks will likely be Colt Lyerla. While standout Christian French should also see viable time at the position, Lyerla will put up the better numbers.

He is a man of a tight end and will be able to serve all the needs of the Oregon offense.

Here are his projected 2012 statistics:

Receptions: 33

Yards: 462

Yards per catch: 14

TD: 8

Lyerla is the only tight end on the Ducks' roster with experience. He has already caught five touchdowns on just seven receptions while amassing 147 yards through the air; all extremely impressive numbers.

While those statistics are virtually impossible to replicate, expect Lyerla to continue to impress the college football nation with his ability to get open and secure the ball for the Ducks.

Defensive Line: Dion Jordan

Dion Jordan is a beast of a man. I have always raved about his abilities and believe that this will be his year to show the nation just how much of a threat he is on the defensive side of the ball.

Here are his projected 2012 statistics:

Tackles: 53

Solo: 30

Assist: 23

Loss: 19

Sacks: 10.5

Though some may think he is undersized for his position, Jordan begs to differ. Using his big frame, he blows past defenders while also pushing them away with his long arms. While his ability to stay low on offensive lineman can still use some work, this should be Jordan's year to prove to NFL scouts that he can be a standout at any level. 

Linebacker: Michael Clay

Michael Clay has emerged as one of the top defensive players for the Ducks. After finishing just behind John Boyett in tackles last season, Clay will be looking to make a statement on a much improved Oregon defense that will be one of the best in the Pac-12.

Here are his projected 2012 statistics:

Tackles: 99

Solo: 50

Assist: 49

Loss: 10

Sacks: 4

Interceptions: 4

Clay's reduction in tackles will be more of a consequence of being surrounded by many improved players rather than him not playing as well as last year. In fact, I expect Clay to be an even bigger force on the Oregon defense this season as he uses his ball-hawking mentality to stop opponents' attacks, no matter where they try to push the ball. 

Along with Clay, Kiko Alonso and Boseko Lokombo should make the Oregon line-backing corps one of the best in the nation. 

Cornerback: Terrance Mitchell

Terrance Mitchell was forced into early playing time last year due to the suspension of Cliff Harris. Though he would have eventually found himself significant playing time, Mitchell was not anticipated to contribute as much as he did for the Ducks during their 2011 campaign. 

Taking some time to adjust to the college football level of play, Mitchell vastly improved his coverage and play in the second half of the season.

Here are his projected 2012 statistics:

Tackles: 56

Solo: 32

Assist: 24

Loss: 5

Sacks: 1

Interceptions: 3

Mitchell will be the top corner for a unit that should see vastly improved play in 2012. Using his speed to cover receivers, expect to see more daring and confident play out of Mitchell as he states his case for being the next great Oregon corner.  

Safety: John Boyett

When it comes to talking about tough and physical players, John Boyett's name is always brought up. 

Entering his senior season, Boyett will once again be one of the top defensive performers in the Pac-12. 

Here are his 2012 projected statistics:

Tackles: 103

Solo: 65

Assists: 38

Loss: 3

Sacks: 1

Interceptions: 3

Boyett is one of the premier safeties in the Pac-12 and will be looking to end his illustrious Oregon Duck career with one of his best seasons while searching for a few post-season awards. Always known to Duck fans as one of the best players in the Pac-12, Boyett will emerge as one of the better NFL talents across the board. 

Like players before him on this list, his numbers will only be down because the Oregon Duck defense as a whole should improve, thus incorporating more players into every play and tackle.