One of the most glaring differences Oregon Ducks fans will notice from 2022 to 2023 is along the offensive line. Four of the five starters from last season have moved on from Oregon. Some, like Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, Alex Forsyth, and TJ Bass are currently undertaking NFL training camp, while others are taking on other ventures.
One of those players is Ryan Walk, a former guard for the Ducks, who was named an honorable mention on the 2022 All-Pac-12 team as voted by the coaches. Despite not realizing any NFL dreams after graduation, the former walk-on from Sheldon High School wasted no time making an exciting career transition. According to his bio on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Walk is now an assistant offensive line coach at the University of Miami.
In his senior season, Walk started all but one game — missing it due to injury — and was a major part of the Ducks’ offensive line that ended up as one of the best pass-blocking units in the country. Walk was a walk-on to the team in 2017, redshirted that season, played five games each in 2018 and 2019, and became a starter after that.
During every season but his senior year, Walk was coached by Mario Cristobal, who, after parting ways with Oregon football in 2021, became the head coach of the Miami Hurricanes.
As Cristobal looks to restore Miami to the glory they saw in the early 2000s, offensive prowess will be essential, and to have a prolific offense, solidity on the offensive line is nearly a necessity. That, in addition to the fact that Cristobal is a former offensive tackle, means that strong blocking will likely be a focus for the Hurricanes, and the role of an OL coach like Walk will be paramount.
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