Mobile, Alabama. Despite having an extra year of eligibility as a former junior college player, former Oregon nose lineman Jamaree Caldwell decided not to use it and remained in the 2025 NFL draft.
During Tuesday’s Senior Bowl practice, Caldwell displayed the wisdom of his choice by winning many one-on-one reps against some of the draft’s best interior offensive lineman. He gave an explanation for his decision to stay in the draft instead of going back to school.
“Getting the information that I can return was a crazy turnaround for me,” Caldwell remarked. However, I believed that ruling needed to be challenged in court. I just wanted to go out, go work out, and go; you never want to take a chance. I had that mindset; I wanted to play in the NFL and felt that I would work hard to get there.
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Following Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia’s federal court injunction, which the NCAA is appealing, Caldwell, who played at Independence Community College in 2021 and Houston in 2022–2023—is one of three Ducks affected by the NCAA granting former junior college players an extra year of eligibility. While offensive lineman George Silva returned to UO, Caldwell and safety Kobe Savage both decided to remain in the draft.
Caldwell impacted opposing quarterbacks on his way to a career-high 29 tackles (4.5 for loss), three pass breakups, and a forced fumble last season, while not registering a sack.
He remarked, “I think I did a good job of getting pressures and affecting the quarterback in other ways in the pass rush game.”
During this week’s sessions and Saturday’s all-star game, Caldwell hopes to demonstrate his versatility and ability to rush from a 0 (technique), 3, 2i, and keep the feet moving in the pass rush.
–The Oregon Ducks and Big Ten are covered by James Crepea. Get the Ducks Roundup email or listen to the Ducks Confidential podcast.
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