Duck 2012 Preview: Defensive Backs

During the Pac-12 Media Day held on July 24th, Oregon Head Coach Chip Kelly talked about how the Ducks will have 65 freshmen and sophomores on the roster this season. Nowhere on the field will that type of youth Kelly spoke of being more reflected than in the Oregon secondary.

(PHOTO) Wisconsin Badgers running back Montee Ball (28) is tackled by Oregon Ducks safety John Boyett (20) in the 2012 Rose Bowl game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-US PRESSWIRE

Oregon's current official roster (7/26/12) lists three positions for defensive secondary personnel -- corner backs, defensive backs and free safety. The leader and elder statesman of the defensive secondary is the sole free safety listed on the official roster, senior Boyett.

Boyett was the team's leading tackler last year with 108 tackles (67 solos) accomplished in 13 games, including 3.5 tackles for loss and a half sack. Boyett had an interception, six break ups and seven pass deflections in addition to two blocked kicks.

Three corner backs on listed on the roster including junior Avery Patterson, who appeared in all 14 games last season starting one game as free safety and one game as the rover in 2012. Avery had 55 stops (39 solos) including 1.5 TFLs. Additionally Patterson was credited with five break ups, five pass deflections, two quarterback hurries, a fumble recovery, a forced fumble and a blocked kick.

Sophomore Ifo Ekpre-Olomu appeared in a 14 games last season as a true freshman and 34 tackles (21 solos) including a half TFL, plus eight break ups and eight deflections. During the spring game Ekpre-Olomu notched six solos tackles and an interception.

Sophomore Dior Mathis appeared five games during the 2012 season and had seven tackles (six solos) including a TFL. Mathis also had three tackles in the spring game last April.

The remaining 11 defensive backfield players are listed as defensive backs even though three of those players saw extensive playing time on the Rose Bowl team that won the conference championship for the third straight year.

Sophomore Terrance Mitchell appeared in all 14 games in 2011 and started in 12 of those contests. Mitchell had 45 tackles (26 solos), three TFLs, two interceptions, 10 BUs, 12 PDs, one fumble recovery and three forced fumbles.

Sophomore Troy Hill had six starts in his 14 appearance a year ago. Hill made 43 tackles (35 solos) one TFL, one interception, six BUs and seven PDs,

Junior Brian Jackson played in 12 games and 27 tackles (10 unassisted).

Other players that saw time in 2012 were sophomore Erick Dargan, (nine games, 15 tackles, nine unassisted, one BU, one PD) and had five solo tackles in the spring game. Sophomore James Scales played in three games a year ago and had six tackles (two solos).

Junior J.R. Maffie, redshirt freshmen Issac Dixon and Bronson Yim were on the scout team in 2012.

True freshmen Stephen Amoako, Eric Amoako, Reggie Daniels and Oshay Dunmore are all currently enrolled in the University of Oregon for summer term.