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QuickTake:
The experienced offensive guard arrived at UO planning a one-year path to the NFL. But a knee injury limited him to two snaps in 2024. Granted a seventh year of eligibility, he returns in 2025 as an anchor for a rebuilt line.
Matthew Bedford credits visualization as a key to his success. Thinking through every rep, every play and every decision helped him rise from Memphis, Tennessee, to become an impact guard at Indiana, where he started 39 games and played 2,720 snaps over five seasons.
So yes, the 6-foot-6, 315-pounder put a lot of thought into how his time at Oregon would go when he picked the Ducks out of the transfer portal in December 2023. The Ducks were peaking for a playoff run and they needed an experienced guard. Bedford knew being that guy for that team could pay dividends for the rest of his career.
“Originally it was just, ‘OK, we’re going to do one year at Oregon and be out (to the NFL),’” Bedford said.
But here’s the thing Bedford has learned about visualization: It’s only useful to a point. Just as important as thinking about how things will go is being able to pivot when they don’t.
“It’s not something where everything is set in stone,” the 24-year-old said. “The game isn’t set in stone. There’s always something you have to adjust to.”
And 2024 forced adjustments.
Coming out of the spring, Bedford was in line to be Oregon’s starting right guard. But a knee injury in fall camp changed everything. He was limited to two snaps — a pair against Oregon State University in September — before being shut down for the year. Instead of playing a big role on the field, Bedford watched from the sideline as his new team reached No. 1 in the country, won the Big Ten Championship and earned the No. 1 overall seed in the College Football Playoff.
It was his dream year, without him — at least that’s how it appeared on the stat sheet.
But inside the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex, it’s clear 2024 didn’t happen without Bedford.
“He’s one of the most consistent guys I’ve been around, because when he faced hardship last year, it didn’t faze him. I’m pretty sure it did, but he didn’t show it,” Oregon offensive line coach A’lique Terry said. “He became such a great leader. There were times when he couldn’t travel and it didn’t matter, because up until the time we left he was helping the young guys. We never felt his absence.
“What’s happening now — him playing consistent ball, him starting to get back to his ways — I think it pays true dividends to how he could stay committed to that process even when the injury happened.”
Bedford had a waiver approved by the NCAA this offseason for a seventh season of college football, extending his stay in Eugene for another year. His left knee is healthy, and again this fall he figures to be a key piece of an Oregon offensive line facing a drastic retool after being named a finalist for the Joe Moore Award, given to the nation’s best offensive line, in 2024.
Last year’s starting line is gone at four spots with left tackle Josh Conerly Jr., guards Marcus Harper II and Nishad Strother, and right tackle Ajani Cornelius having graduated or moved on to the NFL. That’s more than 3,500 snaps walking out the door — which is why Bedford’s miles matter. Only center Iapani Laloulu and his team-high 970 snaps in 2024 returns.
And while talented portal additions such as Isaiah World and Alex Harkey bring plenty of playing time from their past schools, they don’t have the experience of running through a Big Ten schedule like Bedford does.
“I’ve played Ohio State. I’ve played Penn State,” he said. “I know what those moments feel like and I visualize the success that I’ve had in those moments.”
Said Oregon head coach Dan Lanning: “Matt’s one of those guys that we’re counting on being able to help us. Size matters up front. Experience. He’s a guy that has more experience and it’s great to see him healthy out there. He has a great energy and enthusiasm on the field.”
Before the Ducks left for summer break, Bedford and the rest of the offensive linemen were given instructions to think about their upcoming seasons. Envision the key block, or the right call that could change a game, they were told.
It’s still an incredibly useful tool, Bedford said. But having gone through the 2024 pivot, he has also picked up another valuable philosophy.
“I was always focused on being ahead and into the next chapter,” he said. “Because of last year, it’s helped me refocus on now, on being able to focus on being where my feet are, on being able to accomplish and complete the process that’s in front of me right now.”
