Just over a year after a brutal injury ended his freshman season before it even began, Trey McNutt is back on the practice field for the Oregon Ducks, using the experience as a path to learn how to succeed at the college level. The wound has healed, and the focus is back on football.
McNutt arrived in Eugene as a five-star safety recruit from Shaker Heights, Ohio. Expectations were understandably high. Oregon's freshmen class produced well last season, with Jordon Davison, Dierre Hill Jr., Dakorien Moore and Brandon Finney Jr. all being key figures in Oregon's run to the College Football Playoff. McNutt was an option to contribute as well until fall camp began.
Early in fall camp, McNutt went to make a play in the end zone and collided with a teammate, breaking his leg and forcing him to watch the entire season from the sideline. The hopes for a big freshman season on campus were shattered, but McNutt quickly pivoted to recovery and the film room.
“Right after I broke it, I was down," McNutt told reporters on Friday. "But right away I snapped back. I've got God on my side, so He got me out of it, and I was strong through it. It was a long recovery, but you know I was happy every single day.”
That type of positivity can be hard to find in a young player with plenty of expectations for himself. With tremendous speed and ball skills, McNutt had a chance to watch from the sidelines and learn the Oregon defense, finding a way to put his traits to good use once healthy.
Oregon had a great mentor in the program for McNutt to follow, one who happened to become a first-round draft pick by the Chicago Bears.
“I learned a lot last year just being able to sit on the sideline and just learn from the guys that were in there. The elite players like Dillon Thieneman and those guys. Last season, it was interesting sitting on the sideline and being able to listen.”
McNutt mentioned that he has taken some notes from Thieneman's routine around the facility. Still only a sophomore, McNutt enters the season with veteran knowledge in the secondary and freshman experience on the field.
Coming off a gnarly injury, the transition back to the field has been "pretty easy," according to McNutt. With Thieneman now gone, there is more veteran leadership in the room for McNutt to follow. The Ducks brought in another transfer at safety this year in Minnesota's Koi Perich. McNutt might take the first snaps of the season as a starter on defense, but his progression throughout the spring and into fall camp has him firmly in the rotation at the position, alongside fellow safety Aaron Flowers.
Many of Oregon's second-year defenders took the offseason as a chance to dive deeper into the playbook and understand the scheme of Chris Hampton's defense a little better. McNutt had nothing but study time last season, and his confidence is shining through as a sophomore. Now, it's all about translating his studies into practice. That starts with the team's first scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday.
“Last year got cut short, but this year is definitely easier," McNutt said. "I got mental reps last year, and being able to put that to the field and really get those true reps on the field, it's been good. I've been able to play faster.”
The No. 2 safety recruit in the 2025 recruiting class is back to full health and contending for a spot in the secondary rotation this season. The expectations are beginning to rise again for the former Ohio prep standout. McNutt has been tested by Oregon's incredible depth at receiver in fall camp, but he appears to be up for the task.
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Trey McNutt turning lost freshman season into advantage at Oregon