The 2025 season for the Oregon Ducks can be remembered for a number of different things, but one of the main themes to come out of a 13-win campaign was the contributions from underclassmen — much of which was not expected coming into the season.
A number of true freshman got significant amounts of playing time right out of the gates and continued to excel throughout the season while several players who redshirted or saw little time in the season prior broke out and established themselves as key cogs moving forward.
That theme of underclassmen breaking out and stepping into contributing roles has a chance to become a recurring theme for the Ducks in 2026, with a number of highly-rated individuals either joining the roster or having seen time last season and will be expected to take another step forward with another year under their belts.
We’re here to predict those exact underclassmen in 2026 at Oregon, as we selected 11 players who have a chance to break out next season.
RB Dierre Hill Jr.
Year in 2026: Sophomore
Career Stats: 75 rushes, 656 yards, 5 TDs / / 16 catches, 137 yards, 1 TD
Analysis: Although Dierre Hill Jr.‘s 2025 campaign can easily be classified as a breakout, there’s pretty clearly another step that he can take. He led the Big Ten in yards per carry (8.7), proving to be a home-run threat whenever he had the ball in his hands. He needs to improve his pass protection before becoming an every-down back, but with more carries and receptions in the pass game, Hill’s numbers have a chance to skyrocket alongside fellow true sophomore running back Jordon Davison next season.
WR Dakorien Moore
Year in 2026: Sophomore
Career Stats: 34 catches, 497 yards, 3 TDs / / 4 rushes, 49 yards, 1 TD
Analysis: Similar to Hill, Dakorien Moore had a nice opening season to his college career despite an injury that caused him to miss the final four games of the regular season. Before that, he was the Ducks‘ leading receiver and quarterback Dante Moore‘s most trusted receiver on the outside. Despite that, he’s another guy who can take another massive leap due to his five-star talent and work ethic.
CB Na’eem Offord
Year in 2026: Sophomore
Career Stats: 15 tackles
Analysis: A five-star in the 2025 class, Na’eem Offord finally started working his way into the rotation at cornerback late in the season, as he notched four tackles against James Madison in the CFP first round. His 6-foot-1, 195-pound frame combined with his athleticism suggests that he has what it takes to man the starting job opposite Brandon Finney Jr. next season, though he will have to compete with several other talented players.
EDGE Nasir Wyatt
Year in 2026: Sophomore
Career Stats: 11 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble
Analysis: Despite seeing limited time because of Oregon’s solid starting edge rushing duo of Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti taking a majority of the snaps, it seemed like every time Nasir Wyatt was on the field he made a play. He was third on the team in sacks and flashed his eye-popping speed around the edge, constantly proving to be a challenge for offensive tackles to block in a change-of-pace sort of role. Though both Uiagalelei and Tuioti are back in 2026, expect Wyatt to see more opportunities to rush the passer next season.
TE Andrew Olesh
Year in 2026: Redshirt Freshman
Career Stats: None
Analysis: Outgoing offensive coordinator Will Stein loved to use 12 personnel and with the in-house hiring of Drew Mehringer, expect that trend to continue with Jamari Johnson and potentially Penn State transfer Andrew Olesh, who was the No. 3 tight end in the 2025 class. He didn’t catch a pass for the Nittany Lions last season, but the 6-foot-5, 236-pounder projected as a three-level pass-catcher coming out of high school and could serve in that role for Oregon next season.
CB Dorian Brew
Year in 2026: Redshirt Freshman
Career Stats: None
Analysis: The No. 12 cornerback in the 2025 class, Dorian Brew utilized a redshirt in 2025. Despite others gaining more experience last season, the former four-star is right in the mix to compete for the starting cornerback job opposite Finney. Standing 6-foot and 200 pounds, Brew impressed during spring practices, demonstrating the requisite physicality and speed to excel at the college level.
S Trey McNutt
Year in 2026: Redshirt Freshman
Career Stats: None
Analysis: Another talented four-star in the secondary from the 2025 class, Trey McNutt was having a promising fall camp before suffering a broken leg in mid-August, ending his season. He was the No. 4 safety in his class and was expected to be in the rotation at deep safety before going down with the injury. With Aaron Flowers returning and Koi Perich transferring in, McNutt will have to compete with two established players but has the talent to be in the rotation and potentially beat either of them out for the starting spot.
EDGE Tank Jones
Year in 2026: Freshman
Analysis: Right up there with the highest-rated recruits in Oregon football history, it’d be malpractice not to put someone who has Anthony “Tank” Jones‘ talent on this list despite the entire 2025 defensive line for the Ducks returning. The five-stars’ 6-foot4, 240-pound frame is the prototype for edge rushers who can win with speed and power — two things that Jones wins with. We saw Wyatt emerge as a third-down pass rusher as the season progressed and could see the same with more volume in Jones’ true freshman campaign.
TE Kendre Harrison
Year in 2026: Freshman
Analysis: As soon as he steps on campus, Kendre Harrison is going to be a tough matchup for any defender on the Ducks’ defense. The 6-foot-7, 243-pounder is a five-star and the No. 1 tight end in the 2025 class while also earning a high number of offers in basketball, showing his elite athleticism. Harrison has the entire package: sure hands, speed, versatility and the potential to be a tremendous blocker. Despite Johnson and Olesh also in the tight end room, expect Harrison to see plenty of time as well.
WR Jalen Lott
Year in 2026: Freshman
Analysis:Jalen Lott is an absolute speedster, with that skill potentially being of use to the Ducks right away. When he arrives on campus, the 2026 four-star will be behind a number of experiences wide receivers. And while he only weighs roughly 175 pounds, Dan Lanning constantly preaches that if you’re good enough, you’re old enough. Lott may be good enough right away to contribute thanks to his game-breaking speed.
S Davon Benjamin
Year in 2026: Freshman
Analysis: Ranked as the No. 5 safety in the 2026 class, Davon Benjamin had his choice of programs to go to. He ultimately chose Oregon, presumably in part because of their ability to develop elite safeties. Benjamin fits into the category and could be in the group with McNutt pushing both Flowers and Perich for snaps.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: 11 Oregon Ducks underclassmen primed for breakout campaign in 2026
