Dan Lanning looking for young leaders to emerge during spring practice
In 2024, the Oregon Ducks were loaded with talent across the board and a roster full of veteran experience.
You had experienced players like Dillon Gabriel, Tez Johnson, Terrance Ferguson, Jeffrey Bassa, and Jordan Burch all leading the team, with years of experience in the Oregon program under their belt. In 2025, though, that experience in Eugene is gone, and the Ducks are looking for new leaders to emerge.
That's one of the primary goals for Dan Lanning this spring as he brings a young roster into the new season and works to identify both who his playmakers will be, as well as the standard-bearers. Veterans like Bryce Boetcher, Noah Whittington, Matayo Uiaglelei, Jahlil Florence, and Iapani Laloulu remain, but for the Ducks to reach the heights that they're setting out for, it will be on some young guys to step up and take on a more primary leadership role.
“That's one thing that I was hoping to see today. I saw some of that," Lanning said on Thursday after the team's first spring practice of the year. "I saw some guys stepping up, but we have to develop leadership on this team. You know? We're not returning a ton of experience. We're returning some really talented players. So it's about those guys stepping up, creating leadership, creating standards for our team, and those guys attacking.”
You would expect that someone like Dante Moore or Austin Novosad will step up as a leader of the offense, but there are others on the team, even transfers, who are likely at the forefront of the vocal leadership charge. One of those guys is Purdue safety transfer Dillon Thieneman, who Lanning has said is leading by example already, and working hard to set a high standard of work in the DB room.
“He’s infatuated with the extra work," Lanning said of Thieneman. "There's probably not a day that goes by that he’s not in the weight room, getting bonus work, doing extra rehab, getting extra film. His intelligence, all those things are really picking up, you know, establishing some standards for the DB group and how they're going to operate.”
With one practice down and 14 more to go over the next several weeks, Lanning will have plenty of time to see who is going to step up and take charge.
This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon Ducks looking for young leaders to step up in spring camp
-
Dan Lanning explains reasoning behind hosting spring games at Oregon
Dan Lanning explains reasoning behind hosting spring games at OregonYahoo Sports - 1d -
Oregon Ducks looking to move forward and learn from Rose Bowl loss to Ohio State
After a brutal loss to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl, Dan Lanning says the Oregon Ducks are learning from it, and moving on to a new season.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
WATCH: Video from Arkansas' 3rd spring practice
Watch 11 minutes of video from Arkansas football's third spring practice of 2025 on the outdoor practice fields at the Razorbacks' facilities in Fayetteville. NOT A SUBSCRIBER? SIGN UP TODAY FOR ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Georgia Bulldogs football spring practice injury report
The Georgia Bulldogs have nine players out for spring practice and two players limited. Dawgs have several injuries at running back and defensive lineYahoo Sports - 20h -
5 big questions for UND football ahead of spring ball
Mar. 14—GRAND FORKS — New head UND football coach Eric Schmidt will tick off another first in his tenure Thursday when the Fighting Hawks open spring ball at the Pollard Center. When the team opens ...Yahoo Sports - 16h -
From CFP final to Blue-Gold Game, Notre Dame football tweaks its approach to spring practice
Notre Dame football's spring game dates to 1929 and was the brainchild of legendary coach Knute Rockne.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
'We need more Brunos' - Fernandes 'steps up all the time' for Man Utd
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim says the club need 'more' players like Bruno Fernandes.BBC News - 5d -
UConn's Dan Hurley on the intensity he brings to coaching
As March Madness nears, UConn basketball coach Dan Hurley sat down with 60 Minutes to talk about his superstitions, sideline antics, and living up to the family name.CBS News - 5d -
Ohio State football projected 2025 offensive depth chart ahead of spring ball
Spring football is afoot for the Ohio State football program. We take a look at a projected two-deep depth chart for the Buckeyes offenseYahoo Sports - 7h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Arizona Cardinals given a 'B' in early NFL free agency grades
The Cardinals have made some moves. This publication gives them good but not great marks in free agency grades.Yahoo Sports - 12m -
Chelsea overcome City and ‘substandard’ pitch to deliver first trophy of Bompastor era
Chelsea’s first trophy under Sonia Bompastor should have been won on a pitch better than this.Yahoo Sports - 12m -
ESPN College Gameday predicts Saturday's SEC Tournament action
Many eyes will be on Bridgestone Arena in Nashville as the SEC Tournament semifinals get underway.Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Aaron Rodgers has Steelers right where he wants them
Aaron Rodgers is doing Aaron Rodgers things.Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Ex-Falcons wide receiver signs with Chicago Bears in free agency
Former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus has signed with the Chicago Bears in NFL free agencyYahoo Sports - 16m
More in Sports
-
Florida vs. Alabama odds, prediction, time: 2025 SEC Tournament semifinal picks, best bets from proven model
SportsLine's model just revealed its college basketball picks for the Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Florida Gators on Saturday afternoonCBS Sports - 10m -
NASCAR at Las Vegas: Where to watch, start time, lineup, race preview, pick to win for the Pennzoil 400
History and redemption are both on the line for Christopher Bell as he looks for four wins in a rowCBS Sports - 11m -
Arizona Cardinals given a 'B' in early NFL free agency grades
The Cardinals have made some moves. This publication gives them good but not great marks in free agency grades.Yahoo Sports - 12m -
Chelsea overcome City and ‘substandard’ pitch to deliver first trophy of Bompastor era
Chelsea’s first trophy under Sonia Bompastor should have been won on a pitch better than this.Yahoo Sports - 12m -
NFL free agency 2025: Top 10 free agents available include Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Stefon Diggs, more
The best players who are still available in free agencyCBS Sports - 13m