Oregon freshman Jackson Powers-Johnson working with defense in leadup to Alamo Bowl
Oregon is on the ground in San Antonio and held its first pre-Alamo Bowl practice there Sunday morning as it prepares to face Oklahoma on Dec. 29.
The Ducks find themselves shorthanded at a few positions, and it’s been reported that they are shifting two players to new positions in order to accommodate.
There were multiple reports Sunday morning that true freshman offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson was working with the defense. DJ Johnson, who has shuffled back and forth between tight end and defensive end this season, is also working with the defense.
Powers-Johnson potentially making a temporary move to the defensive line comes as a bit of a surprise. The Ducks might be short on experienced players along the offensive line depending on if Ryan Walk has made a healthy return or not, and Powers-Johnson has the versatility to slot in at both center and guard.
But Oregon is missing Keyon Ware-Hudson due to injury, and Jayson Jones has transferred away from the program. So the need for healthy bodies could potentially be greater on defense.
It sounds as though the Ducks may also be without all-conference defensive tackle Popo Aumavae, too.
DJ Johnson has been used in specific scenarios as an edge rusher this season and was effective there when filling in for Kayvon Thibodeaux and Bradyn Swinson were both out injured.
