With over a month until spring football begins, here is an early prediction of what the Oregon Ducks' offensive depth chart will look like.
The 2025 season just ended a week ago for the Oregon Ducks, but with the announced return of many of this past season's star players, plus the frustrating way in which the year came to an end, many fans are more than ready to look ahead to 2026 and project what the future could look like.
Led by QB Dante Moore's return, along with a long list of returning starters, the Oregon Ducks have high expectations for the coming season. As has typically been the case, anything short of a trip to the College Football Playoff would be considered subverting expectations, but many fans now believe that a season that ends with anything less than a championship will be considered a failure.
Agree or not, it's clear that the stakes are high for Dan Lanning going into his fifth season with the Ducks.
So what will that roster look like, and who can we expect to be the impact players down the stretch? It may be way too early to be making any of these predictions, but that's not going to stop us.
Here's our look at what the Oregon offensive depth chart might look like in the 2026 season.
Quarterback
- Starter: Dante Moore
- Backup: Dylan Raiola
- Other Names to Know: Akili Smith Jr. / Brock Thomas
Analysis: With Dante Moore back for the 2026 season, the depth chart is crystal clear for Oregon in 2026. Moore will enter the season as one of the Heisman favorites, with Nebraska's Dylan Raiola coming in to be the QB2 and sit for a year, much like Moore did behind Dillon Gabriel. We can also watch as guys like Akili Smith Jr. and Brock Thomas find spots on the depth chart as well.
Running Back
- Starter: Jordon Davison
- Backup: Dierre Hill Jr.
- Other Names to Know: Tradarian Ball / Da'Jaun Riggs
Analysis: Whether you want to list Jordon Davison or Dierre Hill Jr. on top is a personal opinion. In reality, call it 1A and 1B. Both freshmen are clearly above the rest of the room, and will likely split carries pretty equally. Behind them, Oregon needs to fill out the depth chart a bit, but Da'Jaun Riggs projects to be a solid player, should he stay healthy, and there is a ton of early buzz surrounding true freshman Tradarian Ball.
Wide Receiver (X)
- Starter: Dakorien Moore
- Backup: Gatlin Bair
- Other Names to Know: Dillon Gresham
Analysis: Dakorien Moore will undoubtedly be the WR1 for Oregon going into his sophomore year, and he should get the start at the X position. Behind him is what I'm most interested in. Incoming freshman WR Gatlin Bair could be a game-changer with his speed, and Dillon Gresham also showed a lot of impressive stuff in the spring game last year, but was injured throughout the season. Those two could really compete for some targets in 2026.
Wide Receiver (Z)
- Starter: Jeremiah McClellan
- Backup: Evan Stewart
- Other Names to Know: Dillon Gresham / Jalen Lott
Analysis: This will be a fun WR competition to watch. Evan Stewart announced his return for 2026, and he will be among the most talented pass-catchers on the roster for Oregon. But you also have Jeremiah McClellan, who exploded near the end of the season with his production, and proved himself to be one of the more impressive pass-catchers — just by sheer difficulty of catch — that the Ducks have seen in recent memory. Both of these players will definitely play a good amount this season.
Wide Receiver (Y/Slot)
- Starter: Iverson Hooks
- Backup: Jalen Lott
- Other Names to Know: Evan Stewart / Messiah Hampton
Analysis: Since Tez Johnson left, Oregon hasn't really had a similar weapon in the slot. Gary Bryant Jr. did a fine job in that role this past year, but he also dealt with injuries for much of the season. In comes Iverson Hooks, who appears to be cut from the same cloth as Tez — an undersized player with great yards after the catch ability, and elite quickness. I am also intrigued to see how true freshman Jalen Lott performs and whether or not he could fit in this spot.
Tight End
- Starter: Jamari Johnson
- Backup: Andrew Olesh
- Other Names to Know: Kendre Harrison
Analysis: Even with Kenyon Sadiq — a likely top-15 pick in the 2026 NFL draft — gone, Oregon still projects to have one of the best TE rooms in the nation next year, led by Jamari Johnson, who really came on as an impact player at the end of this season. With the addition of 2025 5-star TE Andrew Olesh and 2026 5-star TE Kendre Harrison, there is no shortage of talent in this room.
Left Tackle
- Starter: Fox Crader
- Backup: Ziyarre Addison
- Other Names to Know: Emmanuel Iheanacho / Gernorris Wilson
Analysis: The left tackle spot will be an interesting one to watch over the next week or so, as Oregon could add a major transfer at the position with Colorado's Jordan Seaton on the open market. If Seaton goes elsewhere, though, expect Fox Crader to step into the starting spot. He did well in reserve this year and showed that he can play there. Oregon also has a significant amount of depth at the position, with guys like Ziyarre Addison and incoming 5-star Emmanuel Iheanacho capable of stepping up as well.
Left Guard
- Starter: Douglas Utu
- Backup: Kawika Rogers
- Other Names to Know: Demetri Manning
Analysis: Will it be the young blue-chipper to step up, or the veteran reserve? That's the question between Douglas Utu and Kawika Rogers. My early money is on Utu, because I've been told that he has a high ceiling and is ready to play, but Rogers has been good when leaned on over the last couple of years, and could be ready to step into the starting role.
Center
- Starter: Iapani Laloulu
- Backup: Devin Brooks
- Other Names to Know: Bryce Boulton
Analysis: With Iapani Laloulu returning for his senior season, the Ducks are as strong as just about anyone in the nation at the center position. Behind Poncho, though, we will see what Devin Brooks or Bryce Boulton can provide. With Charlie Pickard gone, the Ducks will have to find their backup center this year.
Right Guard
- Starter: Dave Iuli
- Backup: Michael Bennett
- Other Names to Know: Douglas Utu
Analysis: It's not hard to project that Dave Iuli is going to get the starting spot at RG once again next year, after serving there for the 2025 season, but the Ducks also brought in Yale transfer Michael Bennett, who could slot in at guard should he need to.
Right Tackle
- Starter: Gernorris Wilson
- Backup: Trent Ferguson
- Other Names to Know: Tommy Tofi
Analysis: Again, it's a bit hard to project this spot without knowing what the LT spot looks like. If Seaton comes in at LT, then Crader could be in line to compete for the RT spot. But if Crader slots in at LT, then Oregon will likely call upon Gernorris Wilson to start at RT.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Predicting what Oregon Ducks' offensive depth chart looks like in 2026
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