The Oregon Ducks had a memorable 2024-25 campaign, being ranked No. 1 in the AP-Poll for the back half of the regular season and claiming a Big Ten title along the way. They were awarded with a bye and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff before falling to the eventual national champion Ohio State Buckeyes in the quarterfinals.
It was a disappointing end to a talented team that saw a program-record 10 players drafted during the 2025 NFL Draft. Several others signed as undrafted free agents.
As we look ahead to the 2025-26 season, who are the top returning Ducks that will be tasked with running it back for another Big Ten title run and a shot at a national championship?
Oregon Ducks Top 10 Returners in 2025
10) Justius Lowe, WR
Serving in a depth role a season ago, Lowe caught 21 passes for 203 yards and a touchdown. However, injuries paved the way for him to step up around midseason, where he amassed 14 of his catches and 154 yards in four games.
He projects as the Ducks’ starting slot, where he’ll receive a fair share of targets and will see his stats and impact grow exponentially.
9) Dante Moore, QB
Coming over from the UCLA Bruins prior to 2024, Moore was largely forgotten about while he served as a backup to Dillon Gabriel a season ago. Now, the former five-star passer is the expected starter for Oregon.
He disappointed after being thrown into the fire as a true freshman with the Bruins, completing just 53.5% of his passes for 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions before being benched. Now with a year of watching and learning under his belt, he should come out firing as the Ducks’ signal-caller, showing the nation his immense talent and throwing ability.
8) Devon Jackson, LB
Jackson impressed as a redshirt sophomore a season ago, contributing 47 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble in a rotational role. Now, he’ll be expected to step up beside leading tackler Bryce Boettcher.
While he doesn’t have the heftiest frame, standing just 6’2″, 230 pounds, Jackson excels with his speed and deceptive strength. The former four-star has contributed for two seasons now for the Ducks and is poised for a big 2025 campaign.
7) Noah Whittington, RB
After spending a large part of three seasons as Oregon’s backup RB, Whittington seemed ready to step up as the lead back come 2025. However, former Tulane back Makhi Hughes transferred in and will assume the starting role, presumably keeping Whittington as the second RB.
There’s no problem in that, as he’s been a star in his role. A bruising force at 5’8″, 200 pounds, Whittington rushed for 540 yards and six touchdowns last season.
6) Kenyon Sadiq, TE
Playing behind eventual second-round pick Terrance Ferguson, Sadiq’s talent has largely been kept under wraps outside of those closely involved with the Oregon program. In 2024, he caught 24 passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns — a solid yet somewhat underwhelming stat line for a player of his ilk.
MORE: Top 5 Oregon Quarterbacks Who Changed the Game
As a 6’3″, 245-pounder with exceptional, eye-popping athleticism, Sadiq is rearing up for a breakout season come the fall. Don’t be surprised if he’s pushing for a First-Team All-Big Ten selection at the TE position.
5) Teitum Tuioti, EDGE
Tuioti, the projected edge rusher opposite star Matayo Uiagalelei, had an impressive 2024 season as a rotational piece. In his second season with the Ducks, he compiled 58 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.
The Hawaiian native will be in a very favorable position with Uiagalelei commanding double teams and extra attention, leaving Tuioti with one-on-ones that will be imperative that he capitalizes off of. He’s the shown the ability to do so in a limited sample size — now it’s time to do it in a starting role.
4) Evan Stewart, WR
The Texas A&M transfer contributed right away for Oregon, catching 48 balls for 613 yards and five scores. Stewart is a former five-star prospect and will head into 2025 as the Ducks’ No. 1 target on the outside.
With his combination of speed, quickness, route-running ability, and sure hands, the Moore-to-Stewart connection should be very successful in the fall.
3) Iapani Laloulu, C
Laloulu was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2024 and could very well jump to the First-Team in 2025 with one more year of experience under his belt. He started all 14 games as a true sophomore and surprised many with his dominance on the interior.
The Hawaiian native will be the trusted anchor of the offensive line, with everything running through him. You won’t see many — if any — pressures up the middle for Oregon next season, as Laluolu will have the gaps sealed up.
2) Bryce Boettcher, LB
The vocal leader of the Ducks’ defense in 2024, Boettcher returns for his fifth-year senior season after leading the team in tackles with 94 total. He also added four passes defensed, two sacks, and an interception and forced fumble apiece in showing his invaluable versatility.
A beloved figure in Eugene, Boettcher is poised to have an even better final season for the Ducks while leading a tenacious yet young linebacking core.
1) Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE
Easily the best player on the team, Uiagalelei makes plays that other players simply can’t. As a sophomore a season ago, he was named First-Team All-Big Ten after recording 38 total tackles and 10.5 sacks with two forced fumbles and an interception.
KEEP READING: Ranking Oregon’s Best Uniform Designs of All Time
He’ll unquestionably garner more attention from the opposition in 2025; yet his talent and hulking frame (6’5″, 270 pounds) continue to give him a leg up on the competition. Uiagalelei is already projected as a potential top 10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft once his career with the Ducks is over with.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
