When asked how much attention his team pays to preseason award watchlists, Dan Lanning was clear. 

“Zero,” Lanning said. “It’s great when people are recognized, but I don’t think any of our guys sign up to win preseason awards.” 

Still, the national recognition that Oregon garnered on preseason watchlists is a sign that the team has the talent to outperform its ranking.

Makhi Hughes – Walter Camp Player of the Year, Maxwell Award and Doak Walker Award

Hughes is coming into 2025 with national recognition after racking up American Athletic Conference accolades in his career at Tulane University. In 2023, he was named AAC Rookie of the Year, and he made the All-Conference first team in both of his seasons in New Orleans.

Hughes living up to the hype of the two player of the year awards and the Doak Walker Award — which is presented to the nation’s premier running back — could take some pressure off of Oregon’s new starters at quarterback, wide receiver and offensive line.

Noah Whittington – Doak Walker Award and Paul Hornung Award

Offensive coordinator Will Stein will have a lot to work with in the running back room with Whittington also appearing on the Doak Walker Award watchlist, as well as the Paul Hornung Award for most versatile player.

The redshirt junior has experience splitting the backfield, setting his current career high of 779 rushing yards behind Bucky Irving in 2022. If Oregon favors a more run-heavy offense due to its inexperience at quarterback and Hughes’ talent, Whittington could see more carries and a breakout season.

Dante Moore – Walter Camp Player of the Year

Moore lands on the Walter Camp Player of the Year list in what would be his first season as a full-time starter.

Moore starting five games as a freshman at UCLA in 2023 and being a five-star recruit out of high school are reasons to believe that he is more equipped for the role than the average non-freshman first-year starter. Still, it would require both him and the team to significantly outperform expectations.

Dillon Thieneman – Chuck Bednarik Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Jim Thorpe Award and Big Ten Preseason Honors

Thieneman’s track record in the Big Ten –– taking home several freshman accolades in 2023 and leading all Big Ten defensive backs in tackles in 2024 –– made him an easy pick for Big Ten Preseason Honors. He also appears on the Chuck Bednarik Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy watchlists for defensive player of the year as well as the Jim Thorpe Award, which is presented to the nation’s best defensive back.

Oregon lost both of its starting safeties from 2024, but got one of the best in the country through the transfer portal.

Matayo Uiagalelei – Chuck Bednarik Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Big Ten Preseason Honors

Uiagalelei was a lock for Big Ten Preseason Honors after making the media’s All-Big Ten first team and the coaches’ second team last season. His breakout season also warranted national recognition, joining Thieneman on the defensive player of the year watchlists.

The national attention is indicative of Uiagalelei’s increased role in 2025, replacing fellow 2024 conference honoree Jordan Burch in Oregon’s pass rush. Coming off a conference-leading 10.5 sack season, any improvement would place him in award conversations.

Bryce Boettcher – Chuck Bednarik Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Butkus Award

After starting his trophy collection in his final baseball season, Boettcher added an All-Big Ten second team and the Burlsworth Trophy for best walk-on in what he thought was his final football season. Instead, the NCAA granted him an extra season of football eligibility, and he comes into the new season with national attention. 

Boettcher is one of three Oregon players on both defensive player of the year watchlists, and also appears on the watchlist for the Butkus Award, presented to the nation’s best linebacker.

Devon Jackson – Butkus Award 

With one start under his belt in three seasons at Oregon, the redshirt sophomore will play a significantly bigger role in 2025. A 2024 season in which Jackson finished sixth on the team in total tackles is reason to believe that he will thrive with more playing time.

Kenyon Sadiq – John Mackey Award

Sadiq will be Oregon’s full-time starter at tight end in 2025 after splitting time with Terrance Ferguson and Patrick Herbert last season. Sadiq caught 24 passes for 308 yards in 2024, and his increase in targets and Lanning and Stein’s use of the tight end position landed him on the watchlist for the John Mackey Award for most outstanding tight end in 2025.

Iapani Laloulu, Emmanuel Pregnon and Isaiah World – Outland Trophy

Three Ducks appear on the watchlist for the Outland Trophy, which is presented to the nation’s most outstanding interior lineman.

Laloulu is coming off a season in which he allowed zero sacks and ten total pressures in 12 games at center. He also appears on the preseason watchlist for the Rimington Trophy — presented to the nation’s premier center — for the second straight year.

Pregnon was named a Freshman All-American in his redshirt sophomore season at the University of Wyoming in 2022. He then transferred to USC where he started 25 games at left guard across 2023 and 2024.

World is coming off back-to-back All-Mountain West Honorable Mention seasons starting at left tackle for University of Nevada, Reno.