The Oregon Ducks’ defense is expected to be among the country’s best in 2025. They are returning key players and adding new talent this offseason. One of their top defenders is A’Mauri Washington, who head coach Dan Lanning says has taken his game to the next level this year.
Dan Lanning Says A’Mauri Washington Added What He Needed to Take His Game to the Next Level
Washington joined the Ducks as part of the 2023 recruiting class. He was a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 34 defensive lineman in the class by 247Sports. During his first two seasons at Oregon, he saw limited playing time and recorded 12 tackles.
However, Washington is expected to be a starter for Oregon in 2025. He is an exceptional athlete for a defensive tackle and even made The Athletic’s College Football Freaks list.
According to Bruce Feldman of The Athletic, Oregon shared Washington’s athletic testing results, which included running at 20.89 mph, a 36-inch vertical jump, a 755-pound squat, and a 475-pound bench press. These numbers are even more impressive when you know he stands 6’3″ and weighs 338 pounds.
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Washington’s exceptional athletic ability shows up on the field, where he has one of the best first steps of any defensive tackle in the country. Lanning has always recognized Washington’s elite quickness off the snap, but told Feldman that Washington has improved his technique even more heading into the 2025 season.
“He’s always been extremely explosive, and his conditioning has gotten better and better each year,” Lanning told Feldman. “He’s always had an elite get-off and can get knocked back on the line of scrimmage, but his technique has really come along to match it now.”
If Lanning is correct about Washington’s technical progress, the young defensive tackle has unlimited potential. He would not only have elite size and strength but also combine that with a wide range of block-shedding moves and strong pass-rushing ability.
“This is strength.” 🗣️
A’Mauri Washington definitely didn’t give Luke Altmyer a friendly shove 😅 @oregonfootball #B1GFootball on CBS 📺 pic.twitter.com/saqzDMtsNS
— Oregon on BTN (@OregononBTN) October 26, 2024
The Ducks lost two defensive tackles this offseason to the NFL in first-round pick Derrick Harmon and third-round pick Jamaree Caldwell, so Washington has some big shoes to fill in 2025.
If Washington performs well this season for the Ducks, his athletic upside makes it very likely he will be a first-round pick either this year or next.
Only time will tell if Lanning is right about Washington’s development, but it’s a positive sign that his coach has so much confidence in him heading into the season.
