Dan Lanning enters his fifth season following Oregon’s 13-2 College Football Playoff campaign in 2025, with Drew Mehringer taking over as offensive coordinator. At quarterback, Dante Moore returns with 41 career touchdown passes, while Nebraska transfer Dylan Raiola adds significant starting experience. Update (Oct. 14): QB Dante Moore remains sidelined after suffering a concussion against USC. Dylan Raiola started against UCLA on October 10, but Brock Thomas replaced him during Oregon’s 17-15 loss. Moore’s return timetable remains uncertain, leaving Oregon’s quarterback situation unsettled. Oregon must replace leading running back Noah Whittington, who departed for the NFL, but Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr. are back after combining for 92 rushing yards per game last season, and Colorado transfer Simeon Price adds another backfield option. Oregon also must replace its top two receivers, Kenyon Sadiq and Malik Benson, but Jeremiah McClellan and Dakorien Moore return after making 38 and 34 catches, respectively. Update (Oct. 14): WR Jeremiah McClellan remains sidelined with a broken foot and has no established timetable for his return. Evan Stewart is back in action after missing the 2025 season due to injury and brings 139 career receptions and 11 touchdowns, while five-star freshman Jalen Lott joins the receiving corps. Update (Oct. 14): WR Jalen Lott remains sidelined following a minor hand procedure. Jamari Johnson also returns at tight end after making 32 catches last season. Up front, the offensive line brings back full-time starters Iapani Laloulu and Dave Iuli, each of whom started all 15 games last season, and five-star freshman Immanuel Iheanacho joins the group as one of the nation’s highest-rated offensive-line recruits.
Chris Hampton takes over as defensive coordinator after Tosh Lupoi left to become the head coach at California. Oregon must replace its top two tacklers, Bryce Boettcher and Dillon Thieneman, but it returns eight of its top eleven tacklers from last season, with seven of those eight returning as full-time starters. Four full-time starters anchor the front seven: Teitum Tuioti, Matayo Uiagalelei, A’Mauri Washington, and Bear Alexander, who combined for 57 starts last season; North Carolina transfer D’Antre Robinson also joins the group. Jerry Mixon returns to linebacker after 13 starts, while Devon Jackson returns after two. In the secondary, the Ducks return full-time starters Aaron Flowers, Brandon Finney Jr., and Ify Obidegwu after making 15, 15, and 11 starts, respectively. Minnesota transfer Koi Perich adds another 13 starts of experience, while Baylor transfer Carl Williams also joins the group after appearing in just one game last season. Overall, Oregon’s defense keeps most of its proven starters while adding experienced transfers.
Joe Lorig returns as special teams coordinator, with Gage Hurych taking over at placekicker after Atticus Sappington left. Nevada transfer Bailey Ettridge takes over at punter after averaging 44.7 yards per punt last season. Evan Stewart has taken over as the primary punt returner, while Dierre Hill Jr. handles kickoff returns.
Overall, Oregon enters 2026 with considerable defensive continuity while replacing major production at running back and receiver. That continuity should help Chris Hampton’s new defense even as the offense absorbs major turnover at skill positions. Injuries to Moore, McClellan, and Lott have added further challenges to the offense, with uncertainty at quarterback becoming a particularly important storyline. With eight of the top eleven tacklers and seven full-time starters back, Hampton has an experienced foundation in Lanning’s fifth season.