We’re a quarter of the way through the season for the Oregon Ducks, and after a 3-1 start capped off by a massive win over the USC Trojans, Dan Lanning’s team found a well-timed bye week. The Ducks now have a chance to regroup following the scary injury to quarterback Dante Moore, get Dylan Raiola for the next couple of games, and prepare for the next stretch of big games.
It also gives us a chance to take stock of what we’ve seen thus far and evaluate how this team has compared to preseason expectations. We had high hopes for Oregon going into the year, with many picking them to win the national championship, but after four games, how do we feel about where they are?
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Have the receivers and running backs lived up to expectations? Is the defensive line as dominant as we expected? How is the secondary holding up compared to what we foresaw in the preseason?
Let’s dive into it all in our position stock report, comparing what we’ve seen to what we expected to see before the year started.
Quarterbacks
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore throws a pass as the Oregon Ducks face the USC Trojans on Sept. 26, 2026, at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California.
Stock Compared to Preseason Expectations: Slightly Down
Analysis: I think it’s fair to say that the highest expectations on the team coming into the year were at the quarterback position. With Dante Moore painted as a Heisman Trophy candidate and potential No. 1 overall pick, it’s obvious that Oregon expected a lot from this spot. So far, we haven’t seen excellent play, but it’s been decent. Moore didn’t hit his ceiling in the first three games, but Dylan Raiola did a good job of boosting this stock on Saturday night against USC. The arrow is certainly pointing up here, but it’s fair to say that so far this year, the QB position hasn’t quite met the high expectations yet.
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Running Backs
Sep 18, 2026; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Dierre Hill Jr. (6) rushes for a first down during the first half against the Portland State Vikings at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Stock Compared to Preseason Expectations: Even
Analysis: After what we saw from Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill as true freshmen last year, there was obviously an expectation that we would see more fireworks once again in 2026. So far, the rushing game as a whole hasn’t quite been as explosive, but I think Davison and Hill have played well and are playing close to expectations. Had Hill not had the incredible game against USC last week, this stock might be slightly down, but the arrow is currently pointing up after that.
Tight Ends
Sep 26, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oregon Ducks tight end Jamari Johnson (9) reacts after an offensive play against the USC Trojans defense during the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Stock Compared to Preseason Expectations: Up
Analysis: It’s hard to think more highly of the TE position than we did preseason, but I think that’s where we are at. Jamari Johnson has absolutely lived up to expectations thus far as arguably the most important player in the entire offense. However, we’ve also seen Andrew Olesh and Kendre Harrison step up in big ways as well. There was a question about depth at this position going into the year, and so far, all of those questions have been answered.
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Wide Receivers
Sep 5, 2026; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Dakorien Moore (1) catches a touchdown pass during the second half against the Boise State Broncos at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Stock Compared to Preseason Expectations: Even
Analysis: We came into this year thinking that Oregon had among the best WR trio in the nation with Dakorien Moore, Evan Stewart, and Jeremiah McClellan, and so far, I don’t think we’ve seen anything to dissuade us of that notion. Lately, it’s been freshman Messiah Hampton as the WR3 with McClellan injured, but the Ducks are still looking elite and deep in the WR room.
Offensive Line
Oregon offensive lineman Iapani Laloulu, center, leads the offensive linemen onto the field as the Oregon Ducks host the Portland State Vikings on Sept. 18, 2026, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
Stock Compared to Preseason Expectations: Slightly Down
Analysis: There were questions about the offensive line coming into the year, and those questions remain after four weeks. With three new starters, the consistency doesn’t appear to be there just yet for the Ducks, and while we’ve seen Ziyare Addison and Fox Crader play well at times, it hasn’t been up to the Oregon standard just yet.
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Defensive Line
Sep 26, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei (10) celebrates with defensive lineman A’Mauri Washington (52) after a defensive play against the USC Trojans during the first quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Stock Compared to Preseason Expectations: Down
Analysis: The stock for Oregon’s defensive line has been way down thus far, all due respect. Going into the year, this unit was billed as the best defensive line in the nation, with all four returning starters coming back for another year. So far, they’ve been fine, but nowhere near the game-changing unit that we expected. Signs are pointing up after a good performance against USC, but so far, the D-line has been a relative disappointment.
Linebackers
Oregon inside linebackers Gavin Nix, right, and Jerry Mixon celebrate a turnover as the Oregon Ducks host the Portland State Vikings on Sept. 18, 2026, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
Stock Compared to Preseason Expectations: Up
Analysis: I think the linebackers have been one of the most encouraging units on the defense thus far, based on preseason expectations. Without Bryce Boettcher, there were questions about how good this unit would be, and so far, they have absolutely answered the call. It’s been Dylan Williams who has stepped up in a huge way, while Jerry Mixon and Devon Jackson have been reliable and solid.
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Cornerbacks
Sep 26, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Na’eem Offord (2) reacts after defending against a pass intended for USC Trojans wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt (not pictured) during the fourth quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Stock Compared to Preseason Expectations: Even
Analysis: With Brandon Finney, Ify Obidegwu, and Na’eem Offord, expectations were understandably high for this unit coming into the year, and so far, they’ve met them. That should be taken as a compliment. The biggest development has been moving Finney inside to the nickel, where he has flourished, while the other two lock it down on the outside.
Safeties
Sep 12, 2026; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys tight end Carson Kolb (44) catches a touchdown as Oregon Ducks defensive back Koi Perich (3) Oregon Ducks defensive back Koi Perich (3) defends during the second quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images
Stock Compared to Preseason Expectations: Down
Analysis: The safety position has been undoubtedly the biggest disappointment on the team so far. Koi Perich was billed as the top transfer on the team coming into the year, and through four games, he has not lived up to the billing. It seems as if he’s struggling to pick up the defense and is playing slow, which could partially be due to the fact that he’s playing slightly out of position, closer to the box than deep, where he was at Minnesota when he flourished. There’s still a ton of time to turn things around, but so far, it’s been a tough watch.
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Special Teams
Oregon kicker Gage Hurych kicks a point-after as the Oregon Ducks host the Portland State Vikings on Sept. 18, 2026, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
Stock Compared to Preseason Expectations: Up
Analysis: One of the biggest questions going into this year had to do with Oregon’s special teams, and how Gage Hurych would step up in his first year as the starter. So far, he’s been great, going 5-for-5 on field goals with two over 40 yards, and no misses on extra points. The punting game has also been great, with Bailey Ettridge averaging 48.3 yards per punt.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon football stock report: Grading every position after 4 games
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
