Oregon Ducks 2026 Season Preview
After last years heartbreaking Lost to Curt Cignetti and the Indiana Hoosiers, Dante Moore and his Ducks are gearing up for another College Football Playoff run. Last Year the Ducks lost in the Peach Bowl semifinals to eventual champions Indiana, a year prior the duck’s also suffered an embarrassing loss to Ohio State who would move on to also become national champions. Every year, Dan Lanning seemingly finds a way to make the Ducks better. With season-ending losses to both national champions in the last 2 seasons, Dan Lanning and the Ducks know they’re close to their first National Championship in program history.
Week 1 Preview Vs Boise State
Boise State enters The 2026 season as one of the top teams in the newly reformed PAC-12. As Early PAC-12 title favorites they’ll be a formidable opponent week 1 for Oregon. The Broncos return with star quarterback Maddux Madsen and key Returners such as Boen Phelps, and Max Stege defensively.There are still plenty of questions surrounding Boise State’s new starting lineup. Oregon’s biggest advantage vs Boise State is overall talent. However, the bronco’s have played well against Oregon in previous games in the Dan Lanning era. Some may say it’s a new rivalry brewing out west, regardless the Ducks cannot underestimate the Boise State Broncos or an upset may be on the horizon.
Yes, There’s Moore!
With Heisman favorite Dante Moore announcing his return the Ducks entered the 2026 season with plenty of returning talent. After the 2026 transfer cycle ended, the Oregon Ducks saw 30 players leave the program while adding 16. Most being reserve players seeking more playing time and starting opportunities. Entering the 2026 spring practice season the Oregon Ducks has an overall returning production rate of 66 percent (According to Bill Connelly, ESPN). That Ranks fifth highest in the Big Ten Conference. With this high retention rate for the Ducks, Head Coach Dan Lanning looks to build upon the foundation already established. Here are the Ducks key returners.
Offense
- Dante Moore QB – Returning starting QB, 2025 stats: 3,565 yards, 30 TDs
- Iapani Laloulu OL – starting center and one of the most experienced linemen on the team.
- Dakorien Moore WR – explosive young WR who had 497 yards in 2025 despite missing games with injury.
- Evan Stewart WR – former star receiver returning after missing 2025 with a knee injury.
- Jeremiah McClellan WR – productive WR with 557 yards and 3 TDs last season.
- Jamari Johnson TE – returning after 32 catches and 510 yards in 2025.
Defense
All starters from the 2025 defensive line are returning.
- Matayo Uiagalelei – elite pass rusher
- Teitum Tuioti – had 9.5 sacks in 2025
- Bear Alexander – interior DL anchor
- A’Mauri Washington – returning after considering the NFL draft
- Jerry Mixon – returning starter in the front seven.
Key Additions
The Oregon Ducks 2026 transfer class focuses on reloading for a Big Ten and College Football Playoff run. Head coach Dan Lanning added more than a dozen transfers expected to make an immediate impact. Below is a look at the ducks key portal additions and their new jersey numbers.
- QB Dylan Raiola #8
- SAF koi Perich #3
- WR Iverson Hooks #2
- Edge/TE Markus Dixon #17
- K Keaton Emmett
- RB Simeon Price #22
- DL Jerome Simmons #99
- Edge Bleu Dantzler #27
- DL D’Antre Robinson #0
- SAF Carl Williams IV #15
- OT Michael Bennett #75
- CB Aaron Scott Jr. #14
- TE Andrew Olesh #81
New Coordinators
With the success Oregon has had during the Dan Lanning era, it was only a matter of time until Tosh Lupoi and Will Stein received head coaching job offers. Tosh Lupoi will be the head coach of the California Golden Bears. Will stein will now take his offense to the University of Kentucky. In the replaced of coach Lupoi will be Chris Hampton as defensive coordinator, Drew Mehringer will fill the offensive coordinator role for the Ducks.
Week 1 Game Prediction & Things to Watch
The Oregon Ducks have yet another season with national championship hopes on the line. Week 1 vs Boise state will be important to see how well both offense and defense can perform with new coordinators. With key starters back, Dakorien Moore, Evan Stewart, Teitum Tuioti, also transfer starter Koi Perich. Oregon is one of the only teams in the country who strengthen the roster after last year’s departures. Boise state will keep the game competitive but ultimately the Ducks win with my score prediction Oregon covering -24.5 point spread
