Oregon Football: 5 things to watch in 2019 spring game

3. Who will step up as Justin Herbert’s backup in 2019?

Justin Herbert is the undisputed starter for Oregon in 2019 after eschewing the NFL Draft for his senior season. The Eugene native has been one of the top passers in the country over the past few years, and he is a major reason why the Ducks are poised to challenge Stanford and the Washington schools for the Pac-12 North this year.

The rest of the depth chart at the position is another question. After the Hillsboro scrimmage, it looks most likely that redshirt freshman Tyler Shough will be next in line to lead the Ducks offense should anything happen to Herbert this season. Shough, a four-star prospect from Arizona, has enjoyed the bulk of the reps at the position when Herbert is off the field this spring.

Also fighting to back up Herbert is true freshman Cale Millen, a three-star hopeful from Washington who has so far been relegated to third-string duty after struggling through injuries this spring.  Given that Herbert is unlikely to take too many reps in the spring game, Shough and Millen will each get their chance to make a case for why he should be the backup this season.

Cristobal and his offensive staff will hope there is no reason to lean on either young player except in garbage time, but how each young passer performs on Saturday will help determine not just the course of this season but ensuing years as well — especially with the nation’s No. 1 high school quarterback prospect, DJ Uiagalelei, in town to watch the game on a campus visit.