Oregon Ducks 309-pound transfer OL receives mind-blowing ESPN ranking

Alongside a new quarterback in Dante Moore, the Oregon Ducks are attempting to showcase that winning a conference title in their first year in the Big Ten was no fluke.

The Ducks then went to work to ensure he stays protected, too.

Enter 309-pound transfer offensive lineman Isaiah World.

World comes to Eugene with a year of eligibility remaining, but certainly a need the Ducks are desperate for upfront: tenacity.

According to ESPN's portal rankings, Ward fits the bill. Coming in at No. 7 when examining the top-100 players during the cycle, upside is paramount for the former Nevada product.

"World is a huge presence with very good pass pro skills at left tackle," Ross Tucker said. "He has added 42 pounds since high school and retained his initial quickness and flexibility. World does a terrific job riding defenders past the pocket with his length and mobility. He plays balanced with good feet and shows his basketball background mirroring defenders in his set."

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World wasn't just a need for the Ducks. It was a match made in heaven, and Max Olson believes it'll pay off.

"Offensive tackle was one of the critical portal needs for the Ducks," Olson said. "Ajani Cornelius graduating and Josh Conerly Jr. potentially going pro made adding starter-caliber tackles a priority for Oregon, and it was able to hold off Texas A&M and Nebraska in this battle. A one-year addition makes sense to help give the Ducks' young big men more time to develop."

World will have a chance to prove he's worth the risk, starting with Week 1 against Montana State Saturday, Aug. 30

Oregon beat Penn State this past December to win a Big Ten title, eventually falling short of a national title against Ohio State in the Ducks' lone Rose Bowl playoff game.

To get back there, much less extend the season, World, Moore and Co. will have to deliver and then some.

Only time will tell.