Led by Jordan Burch, it’s not just the Ducks’ newest additions from the portal looking to make a splash.

Rob Moseley photo/GoDucks.com

EUGENE — Jordan Burch feels like he’s a better defensive lineman than he’s given credit for nationally. 

He also understands why he may be flying under the radar. 

Looking back at his debut season in Eugene, Burch said he wasn’t playing to his full potential until the midway point of 2023

“It was a different position than what I was used to coming from South Carolina,” he said. “I just had to buy in and ask all the questions I needed to ask.” 

In 2024, Burch has returned for his second and final season with the Ducks, a year where he’s expected to take on additional pressure along the defensive line following the departure of Brandon Dorlus to the NFL. Burch was productive in 2023 — he led the Ducks with 7.5 tackles for a loss and tied for third with a trio of sacks — but he’s one of several players who transferred before the 2023 season that finally feel like they’re hitting the ground running this August. 

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Tyson Alger covered the Ducks for The Oregonian and The Athletic before branching out on his own to create and run The I-5 Corridor. He brings more than a decade of experience on the University of Oregon sports beat. He has covered everything from Marcus Mariota’s Heisman Trophy-winning season to the Ducks’ first year in the Big 10.