Football season feels like it has truly arrived as Wednesday marks the start of the Oregon Ducks' Fall Camp. Heading into the 2026 College Football season, Oregon is one of the favorites to win the National Championship, and if this is the season the Ducks finally get over the hump it'll all start during Camp.
The Ducks roster is loaded with talent, but heading into Fall Camp there are some major questions that will need to be answered. The final weeks of preparation for the season will be all about solidifying the offensive line and filling a few small holes in what looks to be one of the best defenses in the Country.
Oregon depth chart prediction before fall camp starts
Quarterback:
Starter: Dante Moore
Backup: Dylan Raiola
Depth: Brock Thomas and Akili Smith Jr.
There's no question over who will be under center for the Ducks as Dante Moore returns for a second season as the Ducks' starting quarterback. After passing for 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns with 10 interceptions last season, Moore returns to school as a favorite for the Heisman Trophy. The biggest concern will be getting Moore to cut down on the turnovers as the offense will be deadly if they can hold onto the ball.
The Ducks used the Transfer Portal to replicate the Dante Moore formula, bringing in former 5-star Dylan Raiola after his two seasons as Nebraska's starting quarterback. The backup job won't be just handed to Raiola as Brock Thomas has impressed, and could be next in-line while a younger player like Akili Smith Jr could always take a major step forward.
Running Back
Starter(s): Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr
Backups: Da'Juan Riggs and Simeon Price
Noah Whittington departs for the NFL, but Oregon returns a duo ready to perfectly compliment the passing attack. Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr combined for 1,323 yards and 20 rushing touchdowns on just 188 carries, and should only continue to take steps forward as their roles expand. Da'Juan Riggs returns in a bigger role in the offense while Simeon Price brings proven production to the room from Colorado.
Wide Receiver:
Starters: Dakorien Moore, Evan Stewart, and Jeremiah McClellan
Backups: Iverson Hooks, Jalen Lott, Gatlin Bair, and Messiah Hampton
This season should be much kinder on Oregon's wide receiver room from an injury standpoint after the group was wrecked at times last season. Dakorien Moore has a full season under his belt, and should continue to develop after his true freshman season. Evan Stewart is back after missing all of the 2025 season with injury, and with the way everyone has praised his recovery, he appears ready to explode in 2026. Jeremiah McClellan has excited as a backup, but now he'll get to show his absurd contested catch ability in a much bigger role.
Iverson Hooks will have a major role in the offense as he transfers in from UAB where he went for 927 yards and 7 touchdowns last season. The Ducks have brought in some exciting receivers in recent years with Jalen Lott, Gatlin Bair, and Messiah Hampton, all of whom should be ready to make an impact in depth roles.
Tight End:
Starter: Jamari Johnson
Backups: Markus Dixon, Andrew Olesh, and Kendre Harrison
While Kenyon Sadiq left for the NFL Draft where he was a 1st round pick, the excitement coming out of Oregon's tight end room shouldn't take a step back. Jamari Johnson was a fantastic Transfer Portal find by the coaching staff, and he proved to be key when the Ducks receiving room was hampered by injuries.
Behind Jamari Johnson, the battle for playing time will be interesting to watch as the Ducks have stocked the room with high level pieces. Markus Dixon joins the Ducks from Clemson where he spent time at tight end and edge rusher. Andrew Olesh joins from Penn State where he was a 5-star recruit, bringing excitement for the future. Kendre Harrison is the most exciting piece as a 5-star freshman with potential to be a two-sport star for the Ducks.
Offensive Line
Starters: Fox Crader, Dave Iuli, Iapani Laloulu, Kawika Rogers, and Michael Bennett III
Backups: Tommy Tofi, Douglas Utu, Devin Brooks, Trent Ferguson, Immanuel Iheanacho
The biggest question for the Ducks heading into the season is the offensive line as several pieces are still up in the air. Iapani Laloulu returns as the best center in the Country, and the anchor of the offensive line unit. Dave Iuli started every game for the Ducks last season and will certainly start at either guard position.
Fox Crader and Kawika Rogers return with experience and appear to be the front runners for playing time at tackle and guard respectively. Michael Bennett III comes over from Yale where he looks to be in position to start at Right Tackle, but there will be competition.
If there's two players who could quickly shake up Oregon's plans this Fall it's freshmen Immanuel Iheanacho and Tommy Tofi. Iheanacho was one of the top recruits in this past recruiting class, and Fall Camp will mark his first practices with the Ducks, and if he's ready for the role he can push anyone. Tommy Tofi has gotten rave reviews for his performance as an early enrollee this Spring, and he'll at worst be a great depth piece who can step in and play this season.
Defensive Tackle
Starters: Bear Alexander and A'Mauri Washington
Backups: D'Antre Robinson, Aydin Breland, Jerome Simmons, Derrick Brown Jr, and Matthew Johnson
Oregon easily could've lost both of it's defensive tackles, but Bear Alexander and A'Mauri Washington passing up the NFL Draft gives the Ducks an absurd duo on the interior. While Alexander and Washington aren't racking up sacks, they serve a much bigger role as they can wipe out any opposing rushing attack setting the table for the rest of the defense. The depth behind the duo is mostly unproven, but transfer D'Antre Robinson is a player to look out for as he flashed at North Carolina.
Edge Rushers
Starters: Teitum Tuioti and Matayo Uiagalelei
Backups: Nasir Wyatt, Elijah Rushing, and Anthony Jones
Teitum Tuioti gets talked about the least of any elite edge rusher in the Country which speaks to the absurd talent the Ducks have in the trenches. Matayo Uiagalelei returns with Tuioti despite heavy NFL interest giving the defense a fearsome duo off the edge. The duo combined for 15.5 sacks last season, and each brings the potential to be 10+ sack producers in this defense.
The depth pieces Dan Lanning and the staff brought in should have everyone excited about the potential packages the Ducks could throw out. Nasir Wyatt will certainly play a massive role, and if he takes the next step in rush packages it’ll be impossible for opposing offenses on 3rd downs. Anthony “Tank” Jones joins the defense as a 5-star recruit with exciting traits the staff will look to tap into.
Linebacker
Starters: Jerry Mixon and Devon Jackson
Backups: Brayden Platt, Dylan Williams, and Gavin Nix
Bryce Boettcher departing for the NFL creates the biggest hole for the Ducks to fill on defense as the unit projects to be one of the best in the Country. Jerry Mixon returns after starting next to Boettcher, and he'll need to take another step in his development becoming the leader of the defense. Devon Jackson gained valuable experience last season, and his development may be the most important for the Ducks heading into the season.
STAR
Starter: Carl Williams IV
Backup: Davon Benjamin
Dan Lanning and the staff used the Transfer Portal to replace Jadon Canady in the STAR position, bringing in Baylor's Carl Williams IV. The Baylor transfer brings more size to the position, but he does have an injury history which will be a concern. If Williams isn't starting for the Ducks at STAR, some of the younger defensive backs will make a strong push for the role as there's plenty of talent that will want to see the field.
Cornerback
Starters: Brandon Finney and Ify Obidegwu
Backups: Na'eem Offord, Dorian Brew, Aaron Scott Jr, Cruz Rushing, and Braxton Singleton
Brandon Finney quickly emerged as one of the stars of the sport as a freshman becoming a top cornerback in the Country giving the Ducks an elite cornerback. Ify Obidegwu also flashed as a freshman, giving him the inside track to start on the boundary opposite Finney giving the Ducks a duo to continue building around.
While the cornerback duo may look set on paper, the Ducks have absurd talent behind them who can push for playing time. The two players everyone will be keeping an eye on are former top recruits Na'eem Offord and Dorian Brew while transfer Aaron Scott Jr brings similar potential.
Safety
Starters: Koi Perich and Aaron Flowers
Backups: Trey McNutt, Peyton Woodyard, Jett Washington, and Devin Jackson
Dillon Thieneman departs for the NFL, and in steps Koi Perich after two seasons with Minnesota. Perich took a step back last season after an outstanding freshman season, but it's easy to point to the fact that he was also trying to play wide receiver as a reason for regression. The Ducks will have Perich focusing on safety which should allow him to blossom in his new role.
Aaron Flowers returns after starting last season, and appears to be in the best position to start next to Perich. While Flowers is the veteran, the job won't come easy as the Ducks have several highly ranked recruits in Trey McNutt and Jett Washington who have the talent to steal the job with impressive showings this Fall.
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