Oregon Football: Predicting the Depth Chart Heading into Fall Camp

Oregon didn't have the season it would have liked last year, but the Ducks still won 11 games and a BCS bowl, which is nothing to sneeze at.

This year, Chip Kelly and company look to build on that success and once again compete for a national championship. The Ducks return 12 starters, including seven on the defensive side of the ball. We know this team is loaded with offensive talent, but it is the defense that could end up putting this Oregon squad over the top in 2012.

With the college football season right around the corner, here is how the Oregon Ducks depth chart should look heading into fall camp.

Quarterback

Starter: Marcus Mariota, Freshman

Backup: Bryan Bennett, Sophomore

This position is still up for grabs, but Mariota has to have the edge with the performance he gave during the spring game. He is a dual-threat quarterback who will fit perfectly in this offense, and he will possibly even be an upgrade over last year's starter Darron Thomas.

Running Back

Starter: Kenjon Barner, Senior

Backup: De’Anthony Thomas, Sophomore

Barner will finally have his chance to prove he can carry the load for this Ducks offense. As a backup the last three seasons, Barner has rushed for over 1,800 yards and scored 25 total touchdowns. Thomas will, of course, get his fair share of touches as well.

Receivers

Starter: Rahsaan Vaughn, Senior

Backup: Daryle Hawkins, Junior

Vaughn started four games last season, catching 14 passes for 184 yards and a touchdown. At 6'2", he should be used a lot more in this offense, especially with a year under his belt in Oregon.

Starter: Josh Huff, Junior

Backup: B.J. Kelley, Freshman

Huff was fourth on the team last season with 430 receiving yards and 31 receptions. He started 10 games and will remain one of the bright spots on a offense that doesn't have much depth at the receiver position.

Starter: Colt Lyerla, Sophomore

Backup: Evan Baylis, Freshman

Lyerla only caught seven passes last season, but five of those went for touchdowns. At 6'5", 240 pounds, he is the ultimate red-zone target, and he will see an expanded role in his sophomore season.

Offensive Line

Left Tackle

Starter: Jake Fisher, Sophomore

Backup: Kyle Long, Junior

Fisher appeared in every game last season to prepare for a starting role this year. The former 4-star recruit will be the lucky guy to protect the quarterback's blindside.

Let Guard

Starter: Carson York, Senior

Backup: Mana Greig, Sophomore

York got hurt in the BCS victory last season, but he has worked extremely hard to get back onto the field in 2012. The best offensive lineman the Ducks have to offer should be ready to go in the fall, as he was practicing with the team during the spring.

Center

Starter: Hroniss Grasu, Sophomore

Backup: Karrington Armstrong, Junior

Grasu started every game at the center position for the Ducks last year, earning All-Freshman second-team honors.

Right Guard

Starter: Ryan Clanton, Senior

Backup: Hamani Stevens, Sophomore

Clanton is a strong lineman who can play either tackle or guard. He played in 11 games last season, which should help him out in his new starting role.

Right Tackle

Starter: Nick Cody, Senior

Backup: Everett Benyard, Junior

Cody has appeared in 33 games throughout his career, making him one of the more experienced players on this line. He started all 13 games last season at right tackle, a position he should keep in 2012.

Defensive Line

Starter: Taylor Hart, Junior

Backup: Tony Washington, Sophomore

Hart has been a productive player on the defensive line the last two seasons for the Ducks, starting all 14 games last year and earning All-Pac-12 honorable mention.

Starter: Wade Keliikipi, Junior

Backup: Ricky Heimuli, Junior

Keliikipi started 11 games at defensive tackle, picking up 25 tackles. The 300-pound beast will likely remain in the middle of this line.

Starter: Isaac Remington, Senior

Backup: Jared Ebert, Junior

Remington is an aggressive player who started three games at defensive tackle last year.

Starter: Dion Jordan, Senior

Backup: Arik Armstead, Freshman

Jordan is the guy who makes this offensive line go, finishing last season with 7.5 sacks and earning All-Pac 12 first-team honors.

Linebackers

Starter: Michael Clay, Senior

Backup: Derrick Malone, Sophomore

Clay is one of those players who makes plays all over the field. He finished second on the team with 102 tackles and added two interceptions and three sacks for good measure.

Starter: Kiko Alonso, Senior

Backup: Anthony Wallace, Sophomore

Ducks fans are expecting a big season from Alonso because of his big performance in the Rose Bowl victory. He had two interceptions and 46 tackles last year.

Starter: Boseko Lokombo, Junior

Backup: Tyson Coleman, Freshman

Lokombo will get a starting role after making the most of his backup duties last season. He finished the 2011 season with 33 tackles and returned both of his interceptions back for touchdowns.

Defensive Backs

Cornerback

Starter: Terrance Mitchell, Sophomore

Backup: Troy Hill, Sophomore

Mitchell started 12 games at cornerback last year and led all Ducks with 10 pass deflections. Heading into 2012, Mitchell has the potential to truly become a household name.

Safety

Starter: Avery Patterson, Junior

Backup: Brian Jackson, Junior

This will be a battle to keep an eye on throughout the fall. Patterson finished fifth on the team in tackles, but Jackson appeared in every game as a backup and did a solid job. A little competition never hurt anybody.

Safety

Starter: John Boyett, Senior

Backup: Erick Dargan, Sophomore

Boyett led the team in tackles with 108 and earned All-Pac 12 second-team honors. It is safe to say that he is the leader of the defensive backfield.

Cornerback

Starter: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Sophomore

Backup: Dior Mathis, Sophomore

Ekpre-Olomu played in all 14 games as a true freshman, picking up 34 tackles and breaking up eight passes. Much like Mitchell, Ekpre-Olomu has a chance for a breakout season in 2012.

Specialists

Kicker

Starter: Alejandro Maldonado, Junior

Backup: Rob Beard, Senior

Maldonado took advantage of Beard being slowed down by injury last season, making seven of his 13 attempts, including 77 of his 78 extra points. Beard of course will be competing to get his starting job back.

Punter

Starter: Jackson Rice, Senior

Backup: Alejandro Maldonado, Junior

Rice is one of the best punters in the country, averaging over 55 yards an attempt last season. Of his 48 punts, Rice pinned 17 of them inside the opponent's 20-yard line.