Willamette has loaded roster and high expectations (Offense)

The Willamette Wolverines are still new to the 6A level in the state of Oregon.   Just don't tell them that.   Last season, Willamette battled Central Catholic in a 27-20 loss in the quarterfinals, and looked every bit like one of the top teams in the state.   While a handful of key players have moved on, including a trio of Oregon Ducks (Hunter Vaughan, Tony Cumberland, Aiden Lewey), the roster remains loaded.   And Willamette enters the season with sky-high expectations.   Part of that is how personally this program took its quarterfinal loss.   The Wolverines locked back in after the Holiday Break in late December/early January and have made huge gains in the weight room.   “We lost some really good players from last year, but when you have this many guys coming back there's a lot of reason to get excited,” Willamette coach Josh Line said. “I'm more excited because of the offseason. The guys got right back to it after Christmas break and never stopped, except for the dead periods. The kids have really responded.”    That effort has Line feeling like he has a truly enjoyable group of guys.    “I love every group, but sometimes guys struggle or you deal with distractions form different personalities, but this group is really fun to be around,” he said. “We've got areas where we've still got to get better, but I've had a few groups over the years where you just get excited because the guys work well together. I think we have an opportunity to be a great team.”    That starts with what should be one of the most dynamic offenses in the state.    Quarterback   Junior [player_tooltip player_id='904208' first='Zeke' last='Thomas'] is arguably the top quarterback in the state of Oregon.   The 6-foot, 188-pound signal-caller is committed to the Boise State Broncos, but has continued to get a lot of love on the recruiting trail.    “We're going to be pretty tough to be with him at that quarterback spot,” Line said. “I've never had a sophomore play that well over the course of my career. What he's done this offseason to improve.. he's put a lot of effort into getting better.”    In his first two seasons in high school, Thomas has racked up 5,160 yards and 60 touchdowns with 12 interceptions.   A 3,000-yard, 35-touchdown season is possible.   While Thomas is the straw that stirs the drink, Line indicated he has 2-3 other quarterbacks who would be really good if Thomas were to miss time.   “In a different year, I would feel good about all of the guys behind Zeke,” he said.    Running back   Maveryck Akers suffered two broken collarbones last year, significantly limiting his playing time and production as a senior.   In his absence, soon-to-be-senior [player_tooltip player_id='1924374' first='Zuzi' last='Alwineyan'] stepped up and had a really strong season.    “He played from the get-go, but when Maveryck got hurt he took on more of the role,” Line said. “Zuzi runs really hard and has good size and with with a 11.4 100. We've been working on his hips and change of direction and he's close to 200 pounds after playing at 174 last year.”    Sophomore-to-be Jonny Jenkins debuted against Dallas last year and quickly became a sensation.   He's one of the better freshmen in the state and may emerge as the 1 to Zuzi's 2 if his game continues to elevate.    “He's the only running back I've had play varsity as a freshman,” Line said.    Regardless of who “wins” the starting job both players will play and could deliver all-league-type season.    It's the best 1-2 punch Line has had in more than 20 decades coaching.    “I don't think there's any question that it's the best group I've ever had,” he said.    Wide receiver    Hunter Vaughan moves on and is a walk-on at Oregon.   That leaves a big void, as Vaughan was an all-purpose all-state performer.   Senior-to-be Brady Barry (6-3, 210) is most likely to become WR1 in the offseason, and could also emerge as special return man this fall.    Of note, Barry is also a talented back-up quarterback, but will focus on pass-catching with Thomas cementing himself as the program's quarterback.    “He's our frontrunner,” Line said. “He had a great season last year, leading the team in yards and catches before he got hurt against Sheldon. He's had a great baseball season and we're really excited about what he's going to do for us this season.”    [player_tooltip player_id='1125322' first='Raiden' last='Avery'] is another veteran player who the offense can look to.   The returning starter can play both ways, but will be tasked with playing outside receiver primarily this season.    Soon-to-be sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1732245' first='Zaire' last='McCrae'] (6-2, 200) is yet another young, emerging potential star, but he must also do the dirty work.    “He's a great athlete,” Line said. “He needs to get a lot more confidence. If he can block, he's going to play. His athleticism meets the mark, but he's got to show us he can be physical.”    Sophomore-to-be [player_tooltip player_id='2131683' first='Kadryn' last='Nettles'] is yet another young playmaker who is emerging as part of Willamette's embarrassment of riches.    “He played for us at the end last season as we needed more depth, and he responded really well,” Line said. “He played a little running back, a little slot receiver and we're going to use the heck out of him. He may start.”   Tight end   Willamette star [player_tooltip player_id='791149' first='Kawai' last='Chamberlin'] is one of the best players in the entire region, but he specializes at linebacker.   He will also rotate in at tight end, and could be one of the state's best there as well.    “I believe he is the best player in the state of Oregon,” Line said. “[player_tooltip player_id='791149' first='Kawai' last='Chamberlin'] has had a big offseason with recruiting. It's not over yet and he's still got to make a decision. He's been really, really dedicated to getting his body composition in the right place. We are going to try to minimize how much he's on the field on the offensive side of the ball, but it will be hard when it's crunch time.”    Junior-to-be [player_tooltip player_id='1609788' first='Knox' last='Smith'] (6-4, 200) was another Willamette player who suffered a broken collarbone last year  He's added 30 pounds since last season and has potential to play college ball if he continues to develop and becomes a more physically-imposing presence.    Offensive line   “We've got four out of five coming back,” Line said. “I'm really excited about our offensive line coming back. We're big, we're not too big so we can move and move people. We've got to stay healthy. We are working on depth.”    Aiden Lewey, an Oregon Ducks walk-on, is a tough player to lose, but the four returners are all talented.    That top returner is [player_tooltip player_id='937281' first='Tripp' last='Johansen'], a double-digit offer guy who has all-state performer written all over him.   “The headliner may be [player_tooltip player_id='937281' first='Tripp' last='Johansen'],” Line said. “I think he's one of the top, if not the top, offensive lineman coming back in Oregon this year.”    Center Jason Troung, left guard Zayden Howard and right guard Kaimana Nelson all return and provide stability - and potential dominance — inside.   Logan Neese is in the midst of a stellar offseason and will be competing for a starting job this fall.    Luke Newton, an emerging 6-foot-5, 300-pound lineman, “has worked really hard this offseason,” according to Line, and could pop and be a major contributor if he puts in the work and gets tough inside.

The Willamette Wolverines are still new to the 6A level in the state of Oregon.