Preseason Camp Preview: Defensive line

Assessing where things stand for the Oregon football team entering the start of preseason camp Aug. 8.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Who's back: After losing first-round picks Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner in the past two NFL drafts, Oregon defensive line coach Ron Aiken returns a group light on star power and looking for some new faces to round out the rotation. But the headliner is a good one: Junior end Henry Mondeaux is arguably the Ducks' hardest worker in the weight room and on the practice field. He used that relentless drive to record four sacks in 2015, most among returning players as preseason camp approaches. At the other end spot, Torrodney Prevot, Justin Hollins and Jalen Jelks all can rush the passer with abandon, though they'll be tested in Oregon's new 4-3 scheme to set the edge against the run as well.

Up the middle, the Ducks need their established veterans to rise to the occasion in the new scheme. Junior Austin Maloata and sophomore Rex Manu have both had their moments as rotation players so far in their careers. But new coordinator Brady Hoke will need them to step up and be anchors at tackle while Oregon's young depth establishes itself in the coming weeks.

Who's new: In the spring, redshirt freshmen Drayton Carlberg and Gary Baker got a head start making their case for playing time at tackle along with Maloata and Manu. The Ducks also moved Elijah George across the line to provide depth, and he made a smooth transition. But the coaching staff continued to work to fill out depth for this season, and this week extended a financial-aid agreement to junior college transfer Ratu Mafileo. Along with Wayne Tei-Kirby, a late target in the recruiting class that signed in February, Mafileo provides another big body up the middle in Hoke's 4-3 scheme.

ESPN's take: We'll see: "Much of Oregon's linebacker corps has also graduated, so new defensive coordinator Brady Hoke is, in many ways, starting from scratch here."

ROB'S TAKE

Projected depth chart
WDE: Torrodney Prevot, Sr.; Justin Hollins, So.; Jalen Jelks, So.; Cody Carriger, Sr.; Bryson Young, Fr.
DT: Austin Maloata, Jr.; Drayton Carlberg, RFr.; Canton Kaumatule, So.; Elijah George, Jr.; Jordan Kurahara, So.
NT: Rex Manu, So.; Gary Baker, RFr.; Ratu Mafileo, Jr.; Wayne Tei-Kirby, Fr.
SDE: Henry Mondeaux, Jr.; T.J. Daniel, Sr.; Eddie Heard, Sr.; Gus Cumberlander, RFr.; Hunter Kampmoyer, Fr.

What to Watch: The most compelling competition among the first unit might be at weak-side end. Prevot is very experienced, but Hollins made a dramatic return to competition in this year's spring game after being injured all of last season, leading all players with eight tackles. The staff will also have the chance to evaluate all the various options now available at tackle. Between Carlberg, Baker, George, Mafileo, Tei-Kirby and sophomore Canton Kaumatule there are plenty of bodies to rotate, but none who are proven producers at the major-college level. The good news is, Hoke's one-gap scheme should free them up to pin their ears back and go, so it's reasonable to believe the new faces should be able to get up to speed relatively quickly.