The five Ducks from the past Dan Lanning could most use on Saturday

For a recent promo the Big Ten Network asked coaches around the league which former star they'd like to bring back for the 2025 season, and Dan Lanning chose Consensus All-American and College Football Hall of Famer Haloti Ngata.

A great choice. Ngata was 6-4, 340 and an intimidating monster in the middle, so athletic that he could dunk a basketball and won a national championship as a high school rugby player. He wrecked the PAC-10 in 2005, a run-stuffer with surprising mobility and a knack for blocking kicks.

The Ducks could use him this season, or any season, but he's not the only great from the past who'd be great to clone for the 2025 roster. No matter how much talent a team has, one more high-impact player might make all the difference. Here are four more that could push this year's squad over the top:

Christian Gonzalez, cornerback

Currently a playmaker for New England, the 6-1, 205 Gonzalez earned First-Team All-PAC-12 in 2022 and played his way into the first round of the NFL draft, picked 17th by the Patriots.

His size, physicality and cover skills would meet a pressing need for the Oregon defense. While the team has lots of possibilities in the secondary between transfer Theran Johnson, Jahlil Florence, Ify Obidegwu and the rest, it's still uncertain if the Ducks have a lockdown cover guy who can match up with the best receivers in the conference. Five-star Na'eem Offord might be that guy, or Brandon Finney, but Gonzalez definitely was.

Having the Colorado transfer back in the lineup would (hypothetically) lift this two-deep to Hard Rock Stadium in January.

Penei Sewell, offensive tackle

Outland Trophy winner in 2019, Sewell was the Ducks' best offensive lineman ever, a road grader at left tackle at 6-6, 335 and an Unanimous All-America. He destroyed defenders, sometimes taking out two on one play.

The 2025 unit appears to be solid, but neither of A'lique Terry's starting tackles have the technique and dominating ability Sewell possessed as a sophomore on a Rose Bowl winner and PAC-12 Champion o-line in 2019. Isaiah World and Alex Harkey are unknown quantities and potential question marks.

If Sewell were available to anchor this group, protect the blind side and ignite the running game, the Ducks' national championship prospects would rise dramatically. As it is, they won't become real unless Harkey and World make a leap in consistency and technique. How much have Terry, Cutter Leftwich and Ryan Walk taught them in eight months?

Marcus Mariota, quarterback

Oregon's only Heisman winner has had a profitable career in the pros, but he was a sensation as a college football player, a tremendous as a role model and leader. For Oregon's bid to repeat as Big Ten Champions to prove legitimate, Dante Moore has to display some of Mariota's poise, focus and decision-making.

Moore has to lead in his own way, but a little of the Mariota resourcefulness and flair would make all the difference, even if he doesn't possess the Flyin' Hawaiian's 4.53 speed.

Kiko Alonso, linebacker

Among Oregon's biggest concerns on the 2025 roster is the play of the No. 2 inside linebacker alongside senior Bryce Boettcher. If Duck fans had the opportunity to conjure a player from the past, the athletic 6-3, 239 Alonso would be a terrific choice.

From Los Gatos, California, Alonso played eight years in the NFL and earned Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2013 with the Buffalo Bills. In the Rose Bowl year of 2012 he racked up 87 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and four interceptions.

For Oregon to make a playoff run this season, they need production like that from Devon Jackson or Jerry Mixon. It's a tall order for a couple of guys with limited starting experience.

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