Even with Kayvon Thibodeaux departing for the greener pastures of the NFL, the Oregon Ducks are poised to have one of the most talented and exciting front-sevens in all of college football during the 2022 season.
Noah Sewell proved just how dynamic he can be during the 2021 campaign, while new coach Dan Lanning is a defensive mastermind, giving Ducks fans a lot of hope about this defense right away.
Perhaps the biggest piece of the puzzle is former five-star linebacker Justin Flowe, who has proven without a shadow of a doubt just how talented he can be – even though he’s only appeared in two games in the past two seasons because of freak injuries.
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Flowe is working his way back from a foot injury suffered during the Fresno State game last year – when he racked up 14 tackles and a forced fumble – and coach Lanning isn’t putting a timeline on his specific return to action, although he believes the young star is getting close.
“I haven’t put a timeline on anything because if it’s up to me, we had him out there yesterday,” Lanning told assembled media on Thursday. “But we got to do it the right mode and temperament. And like you said, Justin’s right out there ready to roll. We’re gonna continue to progress him and work him in as he can. And as you continues to take steps forward, we’ll keep pushing the envelope there but obviously keeping his health and safety at the front of our of our approach.”
There is a reason Flowe was tabbed by Bleacher Report as a candidate to “shock the college football world” this season, and why ESPN believes Oregon’s linebacker corps is the team’s biggest strength heading into 2022.
Now, fans will have to be just a little bit more patient as the staff makes absolutely sure their star linebacker is fully healthy and ready to go before pushing him back into action.
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