Bryce Boettcher is gone, soon to be in training camp with the Indianapolis Colts, and so are his conference-leading 136 tackles. The Ducks need help at linebacker. A new generation has to emerge, filling the void left by the vocal, inspirational former walk-on from South Eugene.
Though seniors Jerry Mixon and Devon Jackson seem set as the starters, the defense won’t thrive without depth behind them and playmakers on special teams. Gavin Nix, Dylan Williams and Brayden Platt all have four-star potential but not a lot of experience.
In the 2025 recruiting class Nix was a December flip from Miami, plucked away from Mario Cristobal, a day before signing day. A compact, muscled-up 6-0, 230 pounds, the Under Armour All-American from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida was a Top 200 recruit and one of the best linebacker prospects in the country, an aggressive hitter with a slashing style and quickness…