Five Oregon Ducks to Know That Aren’t Named Marcus Mariota and De’Anthony Thomas

De'Anthony Thomas is the most electric player in the NCAA.

For those who know the Oregon Ducks as a flashy team with cool uniforms only knows the team’s stars: quarterback Marcus Mariota, and athlete De’Anthony Thomas. There are 20 other players that start and are deserving of some credit too, but I am only going to spotlight five that will standout in the 2013 season.

First is red shirt senior, defensive tackle from Tualatin, Ore., Taylor Hart. He has tallied a tremendous career at the University of Oregon, racking up 98 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks. His best season came last year when he recorded 36 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and eight sacks. Standing at 6'6 and weighing almost 300 pounds, Hart is quickly becoming one of the best interior defensive linemen in the nation. Watch for him to be a finalist for the Chuck Bednarik and the Bronko Nagurski Awards, which are given to the top defensive player in the NCAA.

Next is senior linebacker out of British Columbia, Boseko Lokombo. Over the past two seasons, Lokombo has quickly become one of the most consistent players on the Ducks’ defense. He has racked up 72 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks, and four interceptions since the 2011 season. With the loss of linebackers Kiko Alonso and Michael Clay, Lokombo is going to play a bigger role this season.

On to the offensive side, a key player is sophomore running back Byron Marshall. He attended the same high school as former Ducks’ legendary running back LaMichael James. Marshall played a very limited role last season, totaling 447 yards with four touchdowns. He is going to be a vital part to Oregon’s success this season, especially without star running back Kenjon Barner.

The next offensive player to watch is senior wide receiver from Houston, Texas, Josh Huff. He finished quite the career year with 493 receiving yards on just 32 catches with a team high seven touchdown receptions last season. Huff is a deadly vertical threat for the Ducks, as he averages 15.4 yards per catch. He is set to lead the team in receptions and yards this season.

Finally, the player everyone should watch is junior tight end out of Hillsboro, Ore. Colt Lyerla. He amassed 390 receiving yards on just 25 receptions with an impressive six touchdown catches. Lyerla is powerful when he has the ball; he can barrel through any defensive player in the PAC-12. His combination of speed and strength makes him the most dynamic player on the Ducks roster outside of Mariota and Thomas.

These five players are just a sample size of the entire roster of skilled athletes the Oregon Ducks have for the 2013 season.

Taylor Hart is a star along the defensive line.

Taylor Hart looks to continue his success from last season and he hopes to hit double digit sacks this year.

Boseko Lokombo is poised to be the leader of the linebackers.

Boseko Lokombo is going to be crucial for the Ducks this season as they lost Michael Clay and Kiko Alonso.

Sophomore running back Byron Marshall looks to carry the load this season.

After a good freshman season, running back Byron Marshall is poised to get ready for a more critical role his sophomore season.

Josh Huff looks to lead a very deep wide receiver group.

Josh Huff lead the team in yards, receptions and touchdowns last season. He hopes to have the same success in 2013.

Colt Lyerla is one of the strongest runners in the NCAA.

Colt Lyerla has had a great freshman and sophomore season. Look for him to have a tremendous junior season for the Ducks.