Freshmen helped shape Oregon’s season last year, and Davon Benjamin is pushing to put himself in that same conversation this fall.
The Ducks are using camp to sort out a roster full of moving parts, and versatility is sitting right at the center of it. Brandon Finney Jr. and Dierre Hill Jr. are both working at different spots, and Benjamin has followed that same path as Oregon looks for the best way to deploy its talent. The four-star corner arrived in Eugene with a real shot at the open slot corner job, a role he knew well from his time at Oaks Christian High School.
Most of his reps so far have come at STAR, but Oregon hasn’t locked him into one lane. Dan Lanning said the staff has been expanding his responsibilities while watching how quickly he absorbs the defense.
"He's played primarily STAR for us in fall, but he's learned some other positions as well," Lanning said. "He's able to move around.
I'll say this: The guy's really hungry to learn. He spends every minute - extra meetings, extra time.
Again, he's one of those guys that's obsessed with football and has a great skill set. He's definitely going to be able to help us.
As he continues to learn more and more, the more he grows, the more he'll be able to help this team."
Benjamin’s path won’t be a solo run to the field. Carl Williams IV, the veteran Baylor transfer, has had a strong camp of his own, and Na'eem Offord has also made his case by working both inside and on the perimeter. That leaves Oregon with real competition at corner, especially for a freshman trying to carve out early playing time.
That kind of learning curve has tripped up plenty of young defenders in Eugene. Finney was the exception, becoming a Freshman All-American after quickly turning into a shutdown outside corner. Offord had his share of coverage issues, then spent the offseason digging into the defense and getting comfortable with everything around him.
Benjamin, though, has looked like a quick study. Cornerbacks coach Rashad Wadood pointed to his maturity, work habits and attention to detail.
“He’s doing his thing all around," cornerbacks coach Rashad Wadood said. "DB plays corner, plays nickel.
Very smart kid. Works hard.
Pays attention to detail. He's grown tremendously.
He got here in the spring. He takes the game seriously.
Again, he's not looking for a specific outcome. He's just trying to get better.
He came here for development, and that's all he's focused on.”
That open-minded approach has given Benjamin a clean runway in both spring and fall camp, and it has him on the edge of a significant role heading into the season. His speed and ball skills fit the slot well against quick receivers, and practice reps against Oregon’s wideouts are only sharpening that edge.
Oregon may not lean on freshmen as heavily as it did a year ago, but Benjamin is right near the top of the list of young players who could matter when the Ducks open against Boise State on Sept. 5.
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