Betting websites like FanDuel place the Ducks at 10.5 wins, which would make them a playoff team. The Sporting News Composite (a compilation of rankings from CBS Sports, ESPN, Sporting News, Athlon Sports, Fox Sports and Bleacher Report) ranks them No. 6 in the country.
Which means nothing except the Ducks have the potential to be great, a contender in 2025 college football. Reputations are worth exactly zero points at kickoff, which happens in 30 days.
The Ducks had a great first day of practice. Meeting the media after, Dan Lanning joked, “All right, pay close attention. I’m gonna to give you our starting lineups for the first game and all of our injuries from today. No, let’s open it up for questions.”
He did confirm that cornerback Jahlil Florence and tight end Roger Saleapaga are back from injuries they suffered last year (Florence persevered through a long rehab, a knee injury against Washington in October 2023), practicing at full speed.
Lanning told Oregonian reporter James Crepea and the rest of the pool, “Those guys have worked really hard. You see a guy like Jahlil was really vocal today, was able to communicate. You always worry about a guy being removed from reps if they’re gonna be able to communicate and execute."
"He did a really good job of that today, from what I saw. Obviously, I have to go watch the film. Then same with Roger. So glad to have both those guys back. Roger’s gonna be able to make a big impact on our team this year.”
Day one 🦆
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) July 31, 2025
Football is officially back in Eugene! #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/gth3FJjFs0
From this four-panel practice image, we set a svelte, focused Bear Alexander (1) taking on two blockers at the line of scrimmage. Jeremiah McClellan (11) and Florence (6) square off in a passing rep. Noah Whittington (6), with a full year of recovery from his 2023 knee injury runs hard with the ball high and tight. Redshirt freshman Aaron Flowers shows fluid hips in a coverage rep.
That's a lot of inference, but every picture has to tell a story, because practices are closed and will be throughout August. Lanning believes the secrecy serves larger team goals, and Duck fans just have to trust that.
One immediate impression is that the Ducks look bigger, stronger and faster. Freshman quarterback Akili Smith Jr. gained 25 pounds to 231-- he needed that. As a high school player the 6-6 four-star quarterback was rail-thin. It sounds like he's getting after it in the weight room. Flowers has the lean, strong body type of a top Big Ten safety, definition in the arms.
Of Oregon's 18 scholarship freshmen there was a net gain of 247 pounds from their listed weights as recruits.
— James Crepea (@JamesCrepea) July 31, 2025
- Biggest gain: QB Akili Smith Jr. (231, +31) followed by DL Matthew Johnson (295, +30)
- Only drop: OL Demetri Manning (330, -15)
Oregon legend Akili Smith Sr. replied that it was all good weight, and that "6-6 240 is the goal." At that size with good mobility, Smith Jr. has a Big Ten body, the leg drive to deliver the ball downfield, the strength and balance to shake off a high tackle.
Alexander has dropped 13 pounds to 302. He's a monster at that weight, quick and strong. It shows a determination to be great, which seems to be a theme on this roster.
At Oregon Media Day linebacker Bryce Boettcher said, "To be honest with you this season has been strictly business. I'm here for one reason and one reason only."
The Ducks seem pretty unified on the reason. They appear to be getting after it with a top-to-bottom enthusiasm. That's what you'd expect on the first day, but it's hard to see this group losing their edge.