Oregon Football: 5 incoming freshmen who could start in 2018

Oregon football closed its 2018 recruiting class on a high note. Which 2018 signees could become instant starters for the Ducks.

One year ago, we were talking about the future of Oregon’s football program being bright under the direction of first-year head coach Willie Taggart. Now, we are talking about the same, but with Mario Cristobal at the helm.

Taggart bolted for the Florida State job, leaving Cristobal and a solid staff behind. The Ducks have plenty of talent coming in with the 2018 recruiting class as well — a number of true freshmen have the potential to start right away.

Which five 2018 class signees could start for right away for Oregon?

Safety is one position that might need a replacement on the defensive side of the ball. With Tyree Robinson graduating, the early prediction is that freshman Nick Pickett will take over. However, Jevon Holland is a name to watch for.

The four-star safety from Oakland, Calif., didn’t waver in his commitment to Oregon even when Willie Taggart switched gears and took the Florida State job. He signed in the early period with the Ducks as the second-highest rated defensive back in Oregon’s class.

Holland stands 6-foot-1 and weighs in at about 182 pounds and is an impressive athlete on both sides of the ball. His versatility makes him one heck of a punt returner and his aggressiveness on defense is linebacker-esque.

The Oakland-native is ranked the No. 138 in the class and as the ninth-best safety, per 247Sports.