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Further proof Oregon is really good at what opposing fans say they're not good at

ByDale Bliss|
Sep 13, 2025; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Jerry Mixon (54) intercepts a pass against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Sep 13, 2025; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Jerry Mixon (54) intercepts a pass against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | David Banks-Imagn Images

Because Oregon has been really successful in the Transfer Portal and sent players like Derrick Harmon, Bo Nix and Jordan Burch into the early rounds of the NFL draft, opposing fans like to make the knee-jerk assumption that Oregon can't develop players.

It's a stupid argument, one, because the portal is a legitimate way to acquire talent and improve your team, and everyone tries to use it. The Ducks have simply made some great evaluations and improved those players and their draft stock.

The other thing is, the Ducks' early success and No. 6 ranking has been fueled by players brought up in the program and developed by the Oregon staff, among them Bryce Boettcher, Matayo Uiagalelei, Iapani Laloulu, Jayden Limar and Kenyon Sadiq. Just today, 2023 three-star linebacker Jerry Mixon was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.

Mixon was an unheralded recruit, a running back and linebacker at Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep in San Francisco, and it's taken him three years to become an Oregon starter. He's become a breakout star for the Ducks this season with interceptions in each of the last two weeks, a Pick Six against Oklahoma State and a 36-yard return against Northwestern.

His strength, anticipation and athletic ability won him a starting job. After earning a 91.5 PFF grade through three weeks, he's the top-rated linebacker in the nation, ahead of some five-stars and preseason All-Americans.

Dan Lanning said after the win over the Wildcats, "Jerry gets a bunch of those in practice and it's because he makes you think he can't make the play. And then he does an unbelievable job breaking on the ball.



"Whether that's Bryce or Jerry, those guys have proven to be ball production guys, and that's definitely what we're looking for."

When a team recruits as well as the Ducks have and picks up gems in the portal like Dante Moore and Dillon Thieneman, and THEN develops diamonds in the rough like Boettcher and Mixon, that's a powerful recipe for success.

Linebacker was supposed to be a preseason concern for the Ducks, and suddenly they have two playmakers there, guys who came to the program for a backpack and a tee shirt.

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