We won’t get to see any of this until the Spring Game, but here are three storylines from the training camp:

1.) De’Anthony Thomas becomes a first option

De’Anthony Thomas had an explosive first two seasons with the Ducks but he’s always been a second or third option behind LaMichael James and friends. It’s not that anyone doubts Thomas’ ability, but the new role raises questions for some. Thomas isn’t exactly the biggest back in the world, and he doesn’t seem to be built to take the 20-30 carry a game beating that Barner took last year. Thomas will be joined in the backfield by Byron Marshall and Thomas Tyner once fall camp starts.

2.) Helfrich makes the offense his own

Oregon rushed for more than 300 yards per game last season, but if one thing has been clear since the Helfrich era began it’s been the importance of the pass game. Former wide receivers coach Scott Frost is now the offensive coordinator and Helfrich’s first hire was a hot coaching prospect in Duke’s Matt Lubbick, now the Ducks passing game coordinator. With Marcus Mariota no longer going through his first college football season, the Hawaiian is in the right place at the right time to turn the Ducks into more of a passing threat.

3.) Defensive growth

The hardest Duck from last season to replace may be Dion Jordan. The projected first rounder was a force on the Ducks defensive line and he’s not the only starter on defense the Ducks will lose. Linebacker Kiko Alonso also leaves big shoes to fill, as does Michael Clay, but with the way the Ducks rotate on defense, nobody is totally untested. The new spot on the front line should mean an increased role for Arik Armstead. The Ducks secondary figures — which were a strength a season ago — will get even more solid in 2013 with all of the team’s starters returning.