Oregon ranks 109th in the nation in returning production. Most of the stars on the offensive side of the ball are gone, essentially just leaving Evan Stewart, Noah Whittington and Kenyon Sadiq as returning Ducks who had notable production.
The offense in 2024 did not see much rotation. At full health, the offense mostly used just three receivers, almost exclusively utilized just two running backs, and almost always used the same three tight ends in the abundance of 13 personnel the Ducks ran. The offense should see more rotation this season, as there is more unproven talent, and competitive depth worthy of touches.
Schematically, we can expect the Ducks to reduce their usage of 13 personnel (one running back, three tight ends). The room is not deep enough or experienced enough to comfortably put that set on the field, especially at the rate they did last year.
Also, while the players in the game will likely rotate more at receiver, they could also move from one receiver spot to another more frequently. In 2024, Tez Johnson was locked into the slot role, with Holden, Stewart, and sometimes Lowe or Kasper securely at either the X or Z spots. The skillsets on the team this year are similar, and there are multiple options for each spot, including the slot.
Quarterback
1) Dante Moore - Redshirt Sophomore
Not to be boring, or "chalk," but Dante Moore is most likely Oregon's signal caller this season. He was the higher rated prospect out of high school, has starting experience, and the ball looks different coming out of his hand than the other quarterbacks -- in the best way possible.
Combine those factors with a year in the system, further physcial development, and a scary good connection with star tight end Kenyon Sadiq, I believe it's safe to say we have our guy.
2) Austin Novosad - Redshirt Sophomore
Austin Novosad impressed in Oregon's spring game, and has a year on Moore at Oregon in Will Stein's offense. There is a very real scenario where he can win the quarterback battle. The former four-star from Texas should not be an afterthought in the mind of Oregon fans. He was brought in to the team to eventually be a starter, when Moore flipped from Oregon to UCLA back in 2022.
Counting out any major five stars waiting to develop, such as Michigan's Bryce Underwood, Novosad will be the most talented true back-up in the quarterback in the nation. Plus, having a contingency plan in place is a very good idea, should Moore go down at any point. His decision to stick it out with Oregon is admirable, and needed.
3) Luke Moga - Redshirt Freshman
Moga was one of the biggest standouts from the spring game, and also showed the most dramatic improvement of anyone on the offense. He appeared in the 2024 spring game as a very inaccurate passer, looking a bit lost when asked to deliver from the pocket. One year later, he was able to fire accurately at all ranges, while displaying his athleticism as well.
"Athleticism" was an understatement. He is a freak athlete, and without a doubt the most athletic quarterback the Ducks have had in the Lanning era. He was a sub-10.5 100 meter track runner, and it shows up on the field. While Oregon have recruited quarterback well, including an active recruitment of five-star quarterback Jared Curtis (2026), the prospects of Moga starting one day is exciting to say the least.
Running Back
1) Makhi Hughes - Junior
While we did not see much of Hughes in the spring game, it is a consensus amongst Duck fans, reporters, and everyone in between, that Hughes is set to be the bell-cow back in 2025. Why? He has a unique blend of power, speed and agility that is reminiscent of previous Duck greats. He has the power we saw with Jordan James, but with a much better ability to break off explosive runs. Hughes is RB1.
2) Noah Whittington - Redshirt Senior
Some Duck fans have revised their history of 2022 and 2024, when Whittington played full seasons, to make it seem like we was a sub-par back. Whittington is the perfect backup running back. He is reliable in the pass game, and offers an exciting change of pace in the run game.
He took some time to find his footing in 2024, coming off a season ending knee injury the season prior, but once he did, he was great. Entering his sixth year of college ball, he is seen as a leader in the locker room, and will be a great "handcuff" for Hughes, a role he has held for three different backs now.
3) Dink Riggs (Redshirt Freshman) and Jayden Limar (Junior)
Due to the sheer talent and numbers in the room, it is safe to believe that we will see at least one more addition to the running back rotation. That battle will most likely be between redshirt freshman "Dink" Riggs and Jayden Limar.
Riggs utilized a redshirt in 2024, but impressed in his limited touches. His appearances came against Illinois and Washington, where he combined for 82 yards and a touchdown, on just 11 carries. To state the obvious, that is very good. The redshirt freshman moves like a bigger, bulked up version of Bucky Irving, and could easily crack the depth chart for the Ducks.
As for Limar, we can expect a high-floor, low-ceiling back for the Ducks, but reliability is always a good thing. Locked on Ducks' Spencer McLaughlin described Limar as "not special, he's certainly not a liability. He's solid." That feels like the perfect description for Limar. We know what to expect, but the ceiling of Riggs is hard not to want more of from the fan perspective, and the staff could very well share the same notion.
Wide Receiver
WR - X
1) Justius Lowe - Redshirt Junior
While not your typical "X" receiver, Lowe popped in his somewhat limited opportunities in 2024, finishing the season with 21 receptions, over 200 yards, and a touchdown. He can play bigger than his size, is a crafty route runner, and has flashed some serious speed. Because he is not the prototype, bigger sized X receiver, this spot could see some rotation.
2) Kyler Kasper - Redshirt Junior
Kasper was involved in the offense early in 2024, before a season ending foot injury sidelined him. He was put into packages near the redzone primarily, but did not have many chances to make plays. His size and ability to high-point the ball make him the ideal X receiver, but also offers versatility in an otherwise undersized receiver room.
WR - Z
1) Evan Stewart - Senior
Though inconsistent in 2024, it is clear that Stewart's skillset and big-play ability make him the Ducks WR1 in 2025. He should be the go-to guy in an offense that should be able to push the ball downfield more consistently, and can play bigger than his size.
Stewart could be in a more versatile role this season. Though we list him at the Z here, these spots are placeholders more than anything. With Tez Johnson departed to the NFL, Stewart could be the receiver most frequently sent in motion, and used in the slot frequently as well.
He is the type of talent that "changes the math" for a defense, and the more he can be put in space to succeed, the better the offense as a whole will be.
2) Jeremiah McClellan - Redshirt Freshman
McClellan was a highly rated four-star recruit out of high school, and chose the Ducks over Ohio State in the process. While we did not see much of the redshirt freshman in 2024, three catches for 24 yards to be exact, he has strong skillset that could be utilized in a rotational manner in 2025.
WR - Slot/F
1) Dakorien Moore - Freshman
If this article were truly just projecting what would happen in week one, when Montana State rolls into Autzen, Moore may not be the pick here. However, it is tough to think that the true freshman, who is one of the highest rated Duck prospects of all time, does not become a starter at some point this season.
While lacking the experience of those below him on this depth chart, his natural ability is undeniable. He was looked at early and often in the spring game, including a deep catch along the sideline, which he secured with a veteran-savvy push off. He is explosive, twitchy, sure handed, and can play much bigger than his 5 feet 11 inch frame. Moore could be used in the slot, or out wide.
2) Gary Bryant Jr. - Redshirt Senior
This may be the most regrettable choice to not put as a "1" on this projected depth chart, but that demonstrates the depth this room has. The veteran of the room, Bryant is entering his sixth year of college football, experience which is highly valued by the staff and team.
As mentioned, the entire offense, and especially the receiver position should see more rotation this season. Bryant could be used in a role similar to what he had in the 2023 season, where he had 30 receptions for 442 yards and four touchdowns.
Wildcards: Dillon Gresham (Redshirt Freshman) & Jurrion Dickey (Redshirt Sophomore)
Gresham and Dickey are both hard to leave off a two deep, though we have not seen much of anything from either. Gresham would project to be in the slot or at the "Z" receiver spot, while Dickey is a true, big body, "X" receiver.
Gresham was a four-star prospect coming out of high school, and did not appear in a game for the Ducks in 2024. He flew under just about everyone's radar, including mine heading into the spring game. He flashed some serious speed and ability, going for three catches and over 90 yards, along with a touchdown on a long catch and run. This showcase of talent makes it hard to leave him off this list completely.
Could this be the year we finally see Jurrion Dickey? He was a five-star recruit coming out of high school, and one of the premier recruits in California in the class of 2023. He has a big frame, which similar to Kyler Kasper, offers a unique skillset in a receiver room which lacks size. As a true freshman, he reportedly dealt with a lingering injury from high school, and had to cut fairly significant weight as well, which is why he sported the odd jersey number 99 as a true freshman.
Dickey, a redshirt sophomore, should be healthy and at a solid playing weight by this point, and could be used in the offense to offer a different skillset.
Tight End
1) Kenyon Sadiq - Junior
Sadiq has the potential to not only be the best tight end or pass catcher on the team, he has the potential to be one of the best pass catchers in the country. He is a freak athlete, weighing around 250 pounds or more, and runs like a wide receiver.
He will be used creatively again, just with more touches. He can be used in the screen game, at all three levels of the drop back pass game, and even out of the back field.
Kenyon Sadiq is the most sure-fire "1" at his position, and will be one of, if not the best player for the Ducks this year.
2) Jamari Johnson - Redshirt Sophomore
The Louisville transfer was a very needed, and solid pickup for the Ducks, who still has a lot of potential to unlock. He was a highly rated high school prospect, and transfer portal recruit, but has limited playing experience. He utilized a redshirt in his freshman season, and suffered a season ending ankle injury in 2024, after just seven games.
In those seven games, he had 13 receptions. If Johnson can come back fully healthy (which he looked in the spring game), he will be a crucial part of the run blocking scheme, and should see an uptick in receiving volume as well.
Determining the rest of the tight end room is a tough exercise, because of the lack of depth, and the health of the room. Roger Salepaga had a major knee injury in 2024 which required surgery, but no official diagnosis was made public. It is notable that he was in pads for the spring game, but he did not appear.
Vander Ploog is an interesting prospect to watch, as he could potentially make his way into the rotation in 2025, as a true freshman. Even at 6 feet 6 inches, he still needs to physically develop, as he does not quite look the part of a true, inline tight end that would be used in 13 personnel.
Redshirt sophomore Zach Grace is also an interesting player for the Ducks, as he is not a true tight end, though that is where he is listed on the team website. Nearly half of his snaps came as a true full back in the back field, in goal line or short yardage situations. He appeared in ten of Oregon's fourteen games last season, and should be around the same mark in 2025.
That concludes the post-spring two deep, showcasing the depth of the group, but also the question marks. Dan Lanning and Will Stein will have some questions to answer at several spots, as the offense determines who their "studs" will be.