For a defense to be successful in the Big Ten, it has to be able to stop the run. The top teams in the Big Ten can run it down their opponents’ throat, and that is where a lot of their success comes from. The Oregon Ducks may have the best solution to that problem with one of their top defenders being in the interior of their defensive line.
In a recent article, Bjorn Bergstrom displays how head coach Dan Lanning feels about one of his top defenders, A’Mauri Washington, and why he should be looked at as the best defensive lineman. Here is what Lanning and Bergstrom had to say:
“Coach Dan Lanning has praised Washington as an extremely explosive and powerful player, one who had to work on his competitive stamina,” ESPN’s Eli Lederman and Max Olsen wrote. “He made good gains last year, staying on the field for 50-plus snaps against five ranked opponents. Personnel staffers surveyed by ESPN were higher on Washington and Bear Alexander, the former USC and Georgia transfer who put together his best season in 2025, than pass rushers Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti. But with all four returning, Oregon’s veteran D-line will be a force this fall.”
The Ducks’ defensive line can win in many ways, and there will be multiple guys that the Trojans will have to focus on to have a successful offensive day. The guy who will disrupt the Trojans ‘ potential offensive success the most will be A’Mauri Washington. Lincoln Riley will have to get creative and find ways to win vs a disruptor like Washington.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: A’Mauri Washington will be main force of Oregon defensive line vs USC
Reporting by Micah Huff, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Micah Huff, Trojans Wire | USA TODAY Network
