In past seasons, Oregon has boasted some spectacular stars in its secondary. Defensive backs like Terrance Mitchell, Erick Dargan and Tyree Robinson were among the FBS leaders in interceptions per game over the past few seasons. While the Ducks have never had much of a lockdown defense, they were at their most successful when they had cornerbacks and safeties that could shut down drives with backbreaking turnovers.
For new defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt, the key to success this season could be cornerback Arrion Springs. The senior has been a mainstay in Eugene for the past three seasons, seeing the field in 10 games as a true freshman in 2014 and never looking back. Springs has been a regular starter for the past two seasons and led the team in pass breakups during 2016.
Springs was ranked among the six best cornerbacks in the country coming out of high school in 2014. He showed drastic improvement under Leavitt during spring practices, and should once again lock down one side of the field for the Ducks defense.
Oregon needs Springs to realize his full potential in 2017 and lead the Ducks secondary back to prominence. If the San Antonio native can break out this season, he could emerge as one of the best shutdown corners in the Pac-12 and bolster his NFL Draft stock in the process.