Now is officially the time for Dontae Manning

This is not the way Dontae Manning expected to win the starting position, but the freshman corner striker is going to take advantage of conditions that unexpectedly hit Oregon football.

After the incident between Jamal Hill and DJ James, Mario Cristobal decided to suspend both players for the time being. Their judgment declined during the week of the fall camp, which was more than disappointing and that had to betray their teammates.

Oregon now has two big empty spaces on the defensive side of the ball, with the Ducks being a pair of predicted beginners in the secondary series.

Hill was expected to have a breakout season at nickelback when James was already facing an intense battle around the starting corner with Manning. I’ve always supported Manning to get started and thought he would eventually win the job, but this cement it.

The freshman was in the five-star category in 2020, ranking 30th in the country’s top recruiter and fourth best corner striker. He only played one game as a real freshman, but he now has years of experience under his belt and has the ability to continue the starting position when James finally returns.

I’ve kept the Manning and Mykael Wright duo in the corner and it’s finally taking shape before our eyes.

Oregon football finally has that “deadly duo”

There’s a reason why Manning was so respected, and we’re going to see why national 247Sports author Charles Power compared him to Marshon Lattimore and called him the prospects for the upcoming first round.

Wright is considered a potential first-team All-Pac-12 candidate for the 2021 season, while Manning could be one of the best freshmen in the country.

Oregon is at its best in 2021, when Manning and Wright start from two corner positions and opposing defenders have a nightmare about moving the ball against the Ducks. Unfortunately, the defense is at its best even when Hill starts with nickel.

I think even though James and Hill return, Manning will stick to that starting point. Oh, and Hill gets his starting point back – though he has to get back to Cristobal’s good side.

Tim DeRuyter’s decision became a hell of a lot easier in corner striker James when he was suspended because the right guy is now a planned starter.

The beginning of the Manning era brings a lot of intrigue.