Young Concrete books a return to the Oregon studio

It's on. The Ducks have set their sights on a return to the College Football Playoff and a first-ever national championship.

Moments ago Matayo "Young Concrete" Uiagalelei announced that he would return for his senior year on the Oregon defensive line, joining teammate Teitum Tuioti, who has also reupped for the Ducks.

That means that the Ducks most potent defense statistically is returning its two most disruptive weapons at edge rusher. The 6-5, 272 Uiagalelei is within sight of the program's career record for sacks with 18.5 as a three-year starter.

2026 defense will have experience, quickness and lethal athletic ability

His return represents a massive investment in a full-out commitment to a title run. Uiagalelei's combination of speed, size and power make him an NFL prospect, and he could have left for the league with an opportunity to be drafted early. Instead, the Polynesian warrior is an All-America and Nagurski candidate as one of the top defensive returnees in college football.

His production was down in his junior year as he accepted a role setting the edge and shutting down the running game, but he was an integral part of a unit that ranked No. 10 in scoring defense, No. 20 against the run and No. 8 against the pass, advancing to the College Football Playoff semifinals.