OSU’s Kitan Oladapo And UO’s Brandon Dorlus Both Preseason First Team All Pac-12 Defense

By STEVEN VAUGHAN, 750 THE GAME

Last fall, the Beavers may have had the best defense in the conference while the Ducks were closer to the bottom.

But it’s a new year, and both Oregon schools are represented by one player each on the preseason All-Pac 12 first-team defense as voted by the media.

For the Beavers, it’s defensive back, Kitan Oladapo. Oladapo has big shoes to fill as the Beavers lost a ton on the defensive side a season ago. But Oladapo was really good himself. The Happy Valley native and former Central Catholic standout had 80 total tackles and 6 passes defensed for the Beavers defense.

Anthony Gould was also a first-teamer on the specialists side as a returner. He is one of the conference’s biggest bigger playmakers, while fellow OSU receiver Silas Bolden was honored as a second-team all-conference returner.

For the Ducks, defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus is on the first-team preseason list. Dorlus had 39 total tackles and 2.5 sacks last year, but with the upgraded depth the Ducks have this season up front, expect those numbers to rise this season for Dorlus.

Transfer Evan Williams, who was a 2nd team All-Mountain West performer last season at Fresno State, was selected as a preseason 2nd team All Pac-12 player by the media at safety. Evan’s brother Bennett played safety for the Ducks last season. As well as kicker, Camden Lewis, was honored with preseason All Pac-12 2nd team.

Both Oregon and Oregon State expect to have good defenses this season. The Beavers may have some regression while the Ducks are poised for improvement. But both teams expect to have defenses that can help get their teams to Las Vegas for the Pac-12 Championship.

John Canzano will broadcast live from Pac-12 Media Day at Resorts World Las Vegas on Friday, 3-6 p.m. on 750 The Game, featuring exclusive one-on-one interviews with some the biggest names in college football.

@steven_von