Stopping the run is the absolute game for Big Ten defenses, plain and simple. If you want to dominate in that conference, your D-line better be nasty enough to shut down any ground attack. The top teams in the Big Ten run it right down their opponents’ throats, and that’s where their success truly comes from. Good news for the Oregon Ducks, because they might just have the best solution to that exact problem with A’Mauri Washington, one of their top defenders tearing it up from the interior of the defensive line. Get ready, because this dude is being hyped as the best defensive lineman around.
Lanning Says Washington Is That Guy
Head coach Dan Lanning is not holding back his praise for Washington, and why should he? ESPN’s Eli Lederman and Max Olsen reported that Lanning sees Washington as an “extremely explosive and powerful player.” That’s the kind of combo that makes offensive linemen absolutely miserable, you know? What’s even crazier is Lanning mentioned Washington had to work on his “competitive stamina.” Think about that, a player already this good grinding to stay on the field even longer. And it paid off big time last year, with Washington staying out there for 50-plus snaps against five ranked opponents. That’s proof right there he put in the work and became an absolute iron man in the trenches.
Personnel staffers surveyed by ESPN are also super high on Washington, putting him and former USC and Georgia transfer Bear Alexander, who had his best season in 2025, above even pass rushers Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti. With all four of those beasts returning, Oregon’s veteran D-line is going to be a straight-up problem this fall. This isn’t just one guy, it’s a whole unit, but Washington is clearly the cream of the crop.
Good Luck, Lincoln Riley
The Ducks’ defensive line has so many ways to win, it’s going to be a chess match for any offense. When they face the Trojans, Lincoln Riley’s crew is going to have multiple guys they need to focus on just to have a successful offensive day. But let’s be real, the guy who will disrupt USC’s potential offensive success the most? You guessed it: A’Mauri Washington. Riley is going to have to get super creative, pull out all the stops, and find entirely new ways to try and win against a disruptor like Washington. This isn’t just a big game, it’s a test of wills.
Oregon versus USC isn’t just another game, it’s a statement. Keep your eyes glued to that D-line, because Washington is coming, and he’s bringing the thunder.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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