Will Evan Stewart steal the WR1 job from Tez Johnson or will it be another Duck?

Dan Lanning gained a huge offensive tool when he had former Texas A&M wideout Evan Stewart commit to transferring to the Oregon Ducks’ program.

The wide receiver position is just one of the position battles that will unfold as the Ducks take the field this fall.

Stewart has joined an already impressive lineup of receivers on the Ducks’ roster including returners Tez Johnson, Traeshon Holden, and Gary Bryant Jr. 

The Oregon wideout room is filled with talented and experienced players who will make great targets for transfer quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who is one of the most experienced QBs in the country.

So, will Stewart’s offensive prowess be enough to usurp the WR1 job from Johnson, who was expected to be the incumbent following Troy Franklin entering the NFL Draft but before Stewart committed to the Ducks?

The case for Evan Stewart

While Stewart only has two years of experience at the collegiate level, his two seasons with the Aggies cemented him as a nationally recognizable talent.

As a freshman, Stewart had 53 receptions for 649 yards through the air. However, he struggled to find the endzone, finishing the season with just 2 total touchdowns.

Last year, he had just 38 receptions but averaged 13.5 yards per catch for a receiving total of 514 yards. Stewart also improved on his scoring abilities, earning 4 touchdowns on the season.

Stewart stands at 6 feet tall which lands him a good two inches taller than Johnson and outweighs his teammate by nearly 20 pounds.

His size and skill may give him a leg up over Johnson but they in no way mean that Stewart becoming Gabriel’s go-to guy is a done deal.

The case for Tez Johnson

Johnson knows Oregon football. This will be his second season with the Ducks and his fifth season of college ball.

Johnson transferred to Oregon when his adoptive brother and Duck quarterback Bo Nix told head coach Dan Lanning that they needed an additional talent at the receiver position, Johnson being the perfect fit.

Last season, the wideout had an astonishing 1,182 yards and 10 touchdowns through the air, as well as a number of impressive punt and kick returns.

Being able to utilize Johnson off the snap but also in special teams plays makes him as close to a dual-threat athlete without fully being one.

Johnson’s familiarity with the Oregon program and comfort on the Ducks’ roster, not to mention nearly doubling the experience level of Stewart, gives him a huge advantage over the former Aggie.

The case for another Duck

Beyond Stewart and Johnson, Lanning has a lot of depth at the receiver position.

Gary Bryant Jr. and Traeshon Holden are both returners for the Oregon program. Not to mention all of the incoming freshmen who only deepen the pool of talented wideouts.

Bryant spent three years with the USC Trojans before spending the 2023-24 season with the Ducks. In his first season with Oregon, he had 30 catches for 442 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Lanning also frequently utilized Bryant as a punt and kick returner, earning him an additional 270 yards.

Holden will also be in his second season with the Ducks after starting his collegiate career with the Alabama Crimson Tide. Last season, the wideout had 37 receptions for 452 yards and 6 touchdowns through the air.

While Holden and Bryant may not be the most obvious selections for WR1 in the coming season, they are far from scrubs on the field.

The moral of the story?

The Ducks have depth. No matter who becomes Gabriel go-to receiver this year, Oregon will be wildly successful through the air and that is in large part due to its boundless talents at the wideout position.

Odds are though, Johnson maintains his spot as the No. 1 guy and Stewart creeps into the role the following year.

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