Under head coach Dan Lanning, Oregon football is now recruiting and competing like one of the top five or 10 programs in the nation. There’s one last hurdle to clear: bringing home the school’s first national championship. With new coordinators on both sides of the ball, it’s conceivable that there could be some early growing pains this fall. But with all the talent returning, the goal is crystal clear.
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Oregon Football: 2026 Ducks Season Preview and Prediction
Previewing Oregon's Offense for 2026
The story of the offseason for Oregon was how many draftable Ducks opted to return in 2026, headlined by quarterback Dante Moore. The “thunder and lightning” duo of Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr. combined for 1,323 rushing yards as freshman backups, and now they’re the feature backs.
Receivers Dakorien Moore and Jeremiah McClellan are also stepping into bigger roles as sophomores; the X-factors there will be incoming UAB transfer Iverson Hooks and returner Evan Stewart, who has much to prove after a season lost to a knee injury. Kenyon Sadiq is gone at tight end, but there will be minimal drop-off to Jamari Johnson.
The Ducks hope the same can be said about the new-look line, led by another returner who spurned the NFL Draft — center Iapani Laloulu.
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Previewing Oregon's Defense for 2026
The entire starting defensive front is back after also opting to skip the 2026 draft and await 2027. With Bear Alexander and A’Mauri Washington plugging up the middle, and Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti manning the ends, this could be the best four-man front in the country. The Ducks added depth through the portal but also hope their own development of Aydin Breland, Matthew Johnson and Nasir Wyatt will pay dividends there.
Jerry Mixon leads the inside linebackers after a breakout 2025 season, and Devon Jackson brings elite athleticism to the position. Brandon Finney Jr. is one of the best young corners in the country, if not one of the best corners, period. The portal did bring help on the back end, in safety Koi Perich (Minnesota) and nickel Carl Williams IV (Baylor). Perich looks like a more than capable replacement for the departed Dillon Thieneman. Watch for a potential breakout season from corner Na’eem Offord.
Previewing Oregon's Specialists for 2026
The kicking game will be a question mark until proven otherwise, after the Ducks graduated their kicker and punter. When the placekicking unit takes the field, it’s possible all three guys who touch the ball will be portal additions — long-snapper RJ Todd, punter/holder Bailey Ettridge and placekicker Keaton Emmett, who will look to beat out returners Gage Hurych and Rocco Graziano.
