Oregon football, similarly to any high level college football team, underwent the expected plethora of changes across the board. Seniors departed, and those with the caliber to make it at the next level chose to fulfill those dreams, leaving a new group of talent waiting in the wings. 

Except this group isn’t new. 

The Ducks’ clan of wide receivers stuck together this offseason. While certain areas of the team flipped over completely to new players, such as parts of the defense, this room added just one new name via the transfer portal. 

“There’s only one football to go around, but everyone wants to see each other win. That’s what’s unique, more than the skillset, is the personalities that we have and different skill sets. Collectively, that creates a dangerous group,” Oregon wide receivers coach Ross Douglas said. 

Leading the charge is senior Evan Stewart in his third year with the Ducks. In June 2025, during offseason practice, Stewart tore the patellar tendon in his right knee, sidelining him for the entirety of the 2025 season and the Ducks’ run to the College Football Playoff semifinal. 

The senior showed flashes in his first season in Eugene, in 2024, with 48 catches for 613 yards and five touchdowns. Looking ahead to his final year in college football, Stewart described this year as “do or die,” both for the team’s chances at the national championship and his own aspirations in the NFL. 

“I am trying to do everything in my power to make sure I can be the best football player I can be for the Oregon Ducks. And for myself, I feel like I really owe it to myself to prove that I can do what I do,” Stewart said. 

In Stewart’s stead, the Ducks relied a great deal on young talent such as incoming sophomores Jeremiah McClellan and Dakorien Moore. 

McClellan burst onto the scene with 38 receptions for 557 yards and three scores in 2025 as a redshirt freshman, but dazzled with his ability to separate from defenders and come down with tough catches. 

“You saw all the big plays he made for us on third and fourth down, two-minute drives, contested catches. Now, we gotta take that to the next level; now it’s just the competitive stamina and doing it all the time regardless of circumstances and situation,” Douglas said. 

McClellan established a critical connection with quarterback Dante Moore throughout the season, culminating in his 83-yard performance in the College Football Playoff First Round against James Madison University, where he also added a 20-yard touchdown. 

He’ll be used on the outside primarily, opposite the other Moore, who also aims to take a big jump in production in 2025. 

Moore’s elite speed and ability to create explosive plays with the ball in his hands make him an effective downfield option when the Ducks want to take the top off with a deep ball. The true sophomore dealt with persistent injuries in his freshman season, so a full offseason combined with a more healthy 2026 could lead to outstanding production from Moore. 

That’s not to say that 497 receiving yards and four total touchdowns can be discredited in any way, but with slightly more injury luck, Moore has potential to become a 1000-yard-or-more receiver. 

Rounding out the starting group is the only new face, transfer junior Iverson Hooks from the University of Alabama-Birmingham. Hooks, albeit in a non-power conference, would have led the Ducks in receiving last year with 72 catches for 927 yards and seven touchdowns. 

Hooks also excels while running deep downfield, and has drawn comparisons to former Oregon standout Tez Johnson. He also grew into a solid punt returner in 2025, tallying 11 yards per return in his final season at UAB. 

All these starters have similar skillsets and stand at or below 6 feet tall, which is why Douglas mentioned that this is a “positionless” group with no clear starter at the slot position. 

“If you’re a good football player, you should be able to play anywhere,” Douglas said. “It’s really positionless football in my room. Whether you’re outside or inside, you should be able to plug and play anywhere.”

Ahead of the fall, Douglas believes this will all figure itself out, especially since everyone’s unique skill sets will shine through as they practice more. Having that level of talent ready to go, however, definitely helps matters.