The Replacements: The 5 biggest losses to graduation in Oregon football and the plan to account for them

1. Dillon Gabriel

It's not just that the Ducks have to replace a Heisman Trophy finalist at quarterback; it's the fact that the next QB has to take his place in the long line of succession and a well-established standard of excellence. Gabriel threw for 3,857 yards and 30 touchdowns. He tucked the ball and ran for 149 yards and seven more scores.

What fans will remember and appreciate most about DG is the uncanny poise and coolness. He was calmest in the most pressure-filled moments. Those unwavering eyes. In the "Ducks Vs. Them" cinematic recap series there was a moment in a tight game with Wisconsin. It's 4th and 9 at the start of the fourth quarter and Gabriel is calmly taking warmup tosses as the Oregon sideline erupts with the crowd in the frenzy of the "Jump Around" tradition.

After the TV timeout, Gabriel takes the field with the Ducks, scrambles to his left, and throws a perfectly placed strike to Terrance Ferguson. It's at five minutes of the video clip:

It's that uncanny ability to rise to the moment that's toughest to replace in Gabriel. Part of came out of his six years of experience as a college starter, part of it stemmed from his makeup as a laid-back kid from the islands, the son of a coach and former starting quarterback at Hawaii. Gabriel embraced pressure, almost immune to it. Asking a first-year starter to be all of that is a tall order, though Dante Moore has the benefit of his five starts at UCLA and a year of development.

Predicted success ratio in replacement: 83%

2. Jordan James

As the feature back in the Oregon offense James was tough and reliable, grinding out 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns, a capable outlet receiver as well with 209 yards on 26 catches. James wasn't a speed merchant-- he got to the second level frequently but rarely the third, 39 carries of 10 or more yards but just three of more than 20.

Now he's on to the draft after running a 4.55 40-yard dash at the NFL combine.

The Ducks picked up Tulane sensation Makhi Hughes to replace him, a 5-11, 210-pound back with a similar profile and 2,779 yards rushing in the AAC, 22 career rushing touchdowns. Hughes had 36 runs of more than 10 yards last year, 7 of more than 20.

He'll be pushed for carries in the Oregon running back room, where Noah Whittington and Dink Riggs can also tote the rock. Riggs turned heads as a true freshman, 11 carries for 82 yards in his spot appearances.

Predicted success ratio in replacements: 105%

3. Josh Conerly Jr.

A two-year starter at left tackle, Conerly took over for Penei Sewell, who's become one of the top offensive linemen in pro football, an all-pro who makes $28 million a season. Now Conerly's in line to become a first-round draft pick, though probably later than Sewell going No. 7 to Detroit in 2021.

The 6-4, 315 Conerly started 28 games as a Duck and earned All-Big-Ten first team honors in 2024 while allowing one sack in 494 pass snaps, one in 511 as junior.

Left tackle is one of the most important positions in football, absolutely crucial in the run game and particularly in protecting a right-handed quarterback. In 2025 the Ducks have brought in Isaiah World from Nevada to play LT, 6-8, 309, twice Mountain West Honorable Mention.

A'lique Terry will do everything he can to refine World's technique, while Will Stein will attempt to compensate for whatever deficiencies and limitations the 2025 offensive line has, but there is no way to sugarcoat the loss of a first-round left tackle.

Predicted success ratio in replacement: 77%

4. Tez Johnson

NFL scouts are grappling about where to place Johnson in the draft pecking order and he's likely to fall to the later rounds after posting a 4.51 40 at 154 pounds. Duck fans know better. Bo Nix's brother was pure electric excitement for the Ducks, a crossing route dynamo who latched on to 169 passes for 2,080 yards and 20 touchdowns over two seasons.

Tez Johnson tucking away a football in the open field is not Tez Johnson running against a stopwatch in an empty stadium.

As a Duck he was an igniter, the explosive little pest who could carve up a secondary with the wiggle and stop/start to baffle defenders. He made big plays when the offense needed him most. We saw how stagnant the Quack Attack got without him in November.

To replace Tez the Ducks are going with a combo of Evan Stewart and Dakorien Moore. Both are prodigiously talented. Some scouts think Moore could have the first-year impact of Jeremiah Smith or Ryan Williams. But that has to be measured against what Tez Johnson actually accomplished. All potential means is that you haven't done anything yet.

Predicted success in replacement: 81%

5. Jabbar Muhammad

A lockdown cornerback who has the ability and the mental toughness to take away one side of the field is a devastating weapon for a defense. Muhammad had 12 pass breakups for the Ducks last season, tops on the team. At 5-9, 182 with a 4.47 40 and a 29.5-inch vertical jump, he used tenacity and position savvy to get every ounce out of his ability.

Replacing him, the Ducks turn to Jahlil Florence, transfer Theran Johnson and a bevy of prized blue-chip recruits. The plan is to let Na'eem Offord, Ify Obidegwu, Dorian Brew and the rest battle it out with Stewart and Moore every day and see if the cream rises to the top. Collectively they're longer, faster and more gifted than Muhammad, but they have little of his experience under fire.

Predicted success in replacement: 84%

Other key Oregon losses: Jordan Burch, Derrick Harmon, Terrance Ferguson, Ajani Cornelius, and Jeffrey Bassa.

Does this mean the Ducks are doomed? No, because other strengths are likely to emerge elsewhere. Football success is not linear. A team with Matayo Uiagalelei, Bryce Boettcher, Teitum Tuioti, and Kenyon Sadiq can grow to compete with anyone. And Moore and Novosad throw a better deep ball than Dillon Gabriel. The Ducks could be more explosive on offense, more disruptive on defense with Matayo U. returning as the Big Ten sack leader.

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