Oregon Ducks preseason awards watchlist tracker: Plenty of trophies could come to Eugene

Personal Awards won't mean anything this season in Eugene, as the only goal is to finally bring a National Championship to Oregon. Anything short of a championship will feel like a letdown to everyone involved, but it's also important to recognize achievements.

The reason that there's a National Championship or bust feeling in Eugene is the fact that the Ducks bring back so much high-level talent. The perfect showing of the absurd amount of high-level talent the Ducks have assembled is the Preseason awards watch lists, where Oregon seemingly has several players nominated for every award.

Oregon Ducks Preseason Awards watch list tracker

The Chuck Bednarik Award is presented annually by the Maxwell Football Club to the Defensive Player of the Year in college football. Heading into the season, Oregon has 3 players on the preseason watch list in cornerback Brandon Finney Jr, edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei, and defensive tackle A'Mauri Washington.

The Polynesian College Football Player of the Year is given out annually by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame to the most outstanding player of Polynesian descent at the High School, College, and Professional levels. The Ducks have 6 players on the watch list for the award, giving Oregon a chance to win the award for the second time, as Marcus Mariota won the award in 2015, and in his rookie season with the Titans.

Dante Moore is going to headline just about every major award watchlist coming off his impressive first season as the Ducks' starting quarterback. The Davey O'Brien Award is given out annually to the best NCAA quarterback, and Dante Moore will look to become the second winner in program history behind Marcus Mariota.

The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award is given out to the best upperclassman quarterback in college football, and Dante Moore will once again look to join Marcus Mariota on the exclusive list.

The Biletnikoff Award is given out by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation to the most outstanding receiver in college football. The Ducks have never produced a Biletnikoff Award winner, but transfer Iverson Hooks and tight end Jamari Johnson are on the preseason watch list, while almost any of the receivers could've made the cut.

The Associated Press released its Preseason All-American team, and the Ducks' high-end talent was on full display with 4 nominees.

The Doak Walker Award honors the top running back in the Nation each year, and this season Jordon Davison has made the watch list. The only Oregon Duck to bring home the award was LaMichael James with his special 2010 season.

Continuing on the trend of Dante Moore being up for just about every award possible, Dante Moore is on the Walter Camp Player of the Year preseason watch list.

The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is given out each season to the Nation's top defensive back by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. The Oregon Ducks haven't been able to reel in the award yet, but with Brandon Finney Jr and Koi Perich on the preseason watch list, that streak could end.

The Lombardi Award is given out to the player "who best embodies the values and spirit of NFL's legendary coach Vince Lombardi. The award can be given out to down linemen and linebackers, and this season five Ducks start the season on the watch list. Ugo Amadi was the Ducks' first winner of the award when the field was expanded to include all positions before it was cut back in 2021.

While play on the field is important, being a player with great character is just as important to a team, making Dante Moore's inclusion on the Wuerffel Trophy watch list a major honor.

It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that Koi Perich, who's played safety, wide receiver, and returned kicks, will begin the season on the watch list for the Paul Hornung Award given out to the nation's most versatile player.

Poncho Laloulu returns to Oregon as arguably the best center in the Country, and a clear leader for the Ducks. After being named a finalist for the Rimington Trophy last season, Laloulu returns to the watch list with a great chance to win the award.

Despite producing a 2nd round pick and a 1st round pick at tight end over the past two seasons, Oregon hasn't been able to win the John Mackey Award. This season, Jamari Johnson will have a great chance at being named the nation's best tight end as he steps into the starting role.

The Outland Trophy is given out to the best interior lineman on either side of the football. Penei Sewell won the award in 2019, and with an elite center along with a dominant pair of defensive tackles, the award may return to Eugene.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is given out each season to the nation's best defensive player. While the Ducks have had plenty of star defenders, Oregon has yet to win the award, but with a unit as loaded as the group we'll see this season that may end up changing.

The Maxwell Award is given to the player voted as the best All-Around player, and to no surprise Dante Moore made the watch list.

At Big Ten Media Days, the star quarterback and the high impact transfer each received Preseason Honors.

While Dante Moore wasn't included, the Ducks still landed 4 players on the Walter Camp Preseason All-American team.

Oregon kicks off its 2026 regular season with a home game against the Boise State Broncos on Saturday, September 5th, at 12:30 p.m. PT. The game will be broadcast on CBS.

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