Before the 2025 college football season, Dan Lanning and the coaching staff went out and attacked the Transfer Portal, bringing in the nation's 4th-ranked class. The class ended up giving the Ducks a ton of impactful pieces, including Jamari Johnson, Jadon Canady, Bear Alexander, and Dillon Thieneman. Sometimes it's not the hits you remember, but some of the misses that you were sure would become stars.
The crown jewel of Oregon's transfer class was Tulane running back Makhi Hughes, who was a top-10 player in the portal regardless of position. After rushing for 2,779 yards and 22 touchdowns at Tulane, it looked like Makhi Hughes could transform the Ducks rushing attack, and help ease Dante Moore into the starting role.
Instead, the season started, and it was clear that the coaching staff liked other backs more than Makhi Hughes, and when he did get chances to play it was underwhelming. Hughes decided to step away from the team, with plans to transfer before the season even ended, finishing the season with just 70 yards on 17 carries.
Makhi Hughes instantly surpassed his Oregon's totals with Houston
When Makhi Hughes did decide to transfer, he made the wise decision of reuniting with his Tulane head coach, Willie Fritz, at Houston. On Saturday, Hughes made his Houston debut where he rushed for 98 yards on 17 carries with a touchdown.
Houston RB Makhi Hughes had 98 yards today after having 70 all of last season at Oregon
— Clint Goss (@NFLDraftDome) September 5, 2026
2,779 in two seasons at Tulane
Not super athletic, but feeding you 5 yards a carry again & again pic.twitter.com/mJ6wYjSLOA
Makhi Hughes helping Houston beat Oregon State in the season opener may be the biggest contribution he made for the Ducks, even as he spent time with the team.
While Oregon had a solid rushing attack with the trio of Noah Whittington, Jordon Davison, and Dierre Hill Jr last season, the Ducks would've loved to have another solid contributor in Hughes. Thankfully for the Ducks, Davison and Hill emerged as reliable backs, otherwise the rushing attack could've been a major problem.
Coming into Hughes' lone season with the Ducks, he was receiving Preseason All-American hype, and somehow being the odd man out of the rotation. Seeing Hughes back to being a solid contributor at Houston is frustrating, but Oregon also has an elite 1-2 punch in Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill, you just wish the staff used the resources they spent on Hughes elsewhere last season.
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