Oregon Ducks Football: 10 Under the Radar Players Who Are Key to the 2011 Season

The loss of 11 starters from the 2010 Oregon Ducks football team has been the most documented question mark that the team will have to answer in 2011.

However, the Ducks put themselves in an interesting spot, considering many players on the roster got an extended amount of playing time even though they didn't start.

Oregon's high-tempo style of play required players to frequently rotate in and out in order to keep everyone fresh and rested. This permitted bench players to play just as often as the starters.

Sure, the 2011 Oregon Ducks lost some starters from the previous year. However, they did not lose a lot of depth.

Players like LaMichael James, Darron Thomas and Cliff Harris will probably largely determine the success the Ducks will have in 2011, but writing an article about them would be too easy.

The Ducks lost some starters on the both the offensive and defensive line and also lost some key players at the linebacker and wide receiver position.

How the replacements for Casey Matthews, Brandon Bair and Jeff Maehl play could determine whether or not Oregon will be playing in the National Championship game again in 2011.

Here is the list of 10 under the radar players who will play key parts in Oregon's success in 2011.

10. Dion Jordan

Dion Jordan is a tall and lanky defensive end who will be expected to contribute from day one.

Jordan converted from tight end to defensive end during the spring of 2010 and emerged as one of the key reserves on the defensive line.

Jordan is still learning to play the position, but with his freakish size and athleticism, he should have no problem getting to the quarterback.

9. John Boyett

John Boyett might be one of the smaller safeties in college football, but don't let his size fool you.

The 5'10" free safety has been a starter since his freshman season—he red shirted his true-freshman year—and has emerged as one of the Ducks' premier defenders.

Oregon's secondary is crucial to their success on defense since they are a bit undersized all over the field. They rely on everyone on defense flocking towards the ball carrier and bringing him down as a team.

Boyett is the best tackler in the secondary and will be instrumental to the defense's success in 2011.

8. Mark Asper

Oregon's offensive line lost three starters from 2010, which is tough for any football team to overcome.

Mark Asper, the senior offensive lineman, will be the leader in the trenches for the Ducks in the 2011 season.

The complexity of Oregon's offense will only make it harder for new offensive lineman to step in and contribute at a high level right off the bat.

Asper and Carson York, the other returning starter on the line, will have their hands full as they try to integrate the other lineman into the starting rotation.

7. Michael Clay

Michael Clay might be best known for his 64-yard rush on a fake punt against Oregon State in 2010.

However, Clay will be expected to be much more than just a special teams player in 2011.

The junior linebacker finished third among the linebackers with 42 tackles in 2010. With the departure of Casey Matthews and Spencer Paysinger, Clay will be expected to emerge as one of the leaders on the defense.

6. Josh Kaddu

Josh Kaddu, a 13-game starter from 2010, will be expected to become the leader of the linebacker corps this upcoming season.

Kaddu played the "Sam linebacker" position and will be expected to have a heavy dose of blitzing plays in 2011.

He is my pick for most-improved player in the 2011 season, and his veteran presence on defense will be greatly needed.

5. Terrell Turner

Terrell Turner is the only Ducks' returning starer on the defensive line from 2010.

That alone will put pressure on Turner to not only be the leader on the defensive line but to show the ropes to the others who will be lining up along side him.

4. David Paulson

With the injury to backup tight end Brandon Williams, a tremendous amount of weight has been placed on the shoulders of starting tight end David Paulson.

The tight end was rarely used in the passing game in 2010 due to the position's lack of depth. However, with the departures of Jeff Maehl and D.J. Davis at wide receiver, expect the offense to incorporate the usage of Paulson much more frequently this upcoming season.

Redzone threat, anybody?

3. Ricky Heimuli

There is no doubt that the losses of Brandon Bair and Zac Clark on the defensive line will be huge blows to Oregon's defense.

However, Ricky Heimuli's big body will certainly soften the blow.

As a former top-150 prospect in 2010 according to ESPN, Heimuli got an extended amount of playing time as a true freshman in 2010.

2. Kenjon Barner

Kenjon Barner might not be considered an "under the radar" type of player, but his presence in the backfield along with LaMichael James alone makes Oregon's offense one of the best in the nation.

Barner's true potential has been somewhat hindered due to LaMichael James being ahead of him on the depth chart.

Opposing defenses have a hard enough time trying to contain both LaMichael James and Darron Thomas, so adding Barner into the same formation would truly be a triple-headed attack that would drive defensive coordinators insane.

1. Lavasier Tuinei

After losing Jeff Maehl and D.J. Davis—the starting wide receivers in 2010—someone will need to emerge as the main wide receiving target for Darron Thomas.

Wide receiver bubble screens are an intricate part of Oregon's offense and both Maehl and Davis ran them with ease.

Lavasier Tuinei will now be the Ducks top wide receiver and will be needed to contribute from day one if Oregon has any hope of having a balanced offensive attack.