Going into the 2026 college football season, there’s been a common thought prevailing amongst the Oregon Ducks fanbase.
“This might be the most talented roster we’ve ever seen in Eugene.”
Of course, talent doesn’t guarantee wins on Saturdays, but if you’re looking to set yourself up for success, then Dan Lanning has certainly passed the test, bringing back players like Dante Moore, A’Maurin Washington, Teitum Tuioti, Matayo Uiagalelei, and many, many more for what is expected to be a championship-worthy season in Eugene.
As preseason lists continue to pour out in the lead-up to the season, we’re starting to see that idea borne out, as well. Most recently, Pro Football Focus released its ranking of the top 50 players in the nation for this year, and a whopping six Oregon players made the cut. Here’s a look at who is listed:
Arguably the catalyst for Oregon’s championship dreams in 2026, Dante Moore returns for likely one final season with the Ducks, expected to be in the Heisman Trophy mix come December, and a potential No. 1 overall draft pick come April.
Moore surprised many when he announced he would return to Oregon despite projections that had him as a top-three pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Those projections were fueled by his outstanding redshirt sophomore season. Moore ranked sixth among FBS quarterbacks in PFF passing grade (90.2), while his 30 big-time throws tied for the most in the FBS. He also led the nation in PFF passing grade on deep throws (98.5) and quarterbacked the Ducks to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Moore surprised many when he announced he would return to Oregon despite projections that had him as a top-three pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Those projections were fueled by his outstanding redshirt sophomore season. Moore ranked sixth among FBS quarterbacks in PFF passing grade (90.2), while his 30 big-time throws tied for the most in the FBS. He also led the nation in PFF passing grade on deep throws (98.5) and quarterbacked the Ducks to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
There was a good chance that A’Mauri Washington could have been selected in the first round of this past year’s NFL draft, but he instead chose to come back for one more season and try to chase a championship once again in Eugene. He now stands as a major piece of one of, if not the single best defensive line in the nation this year.
Washington surprised many by returning to Oregon for his senior season despite projections that he would be a top-40 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He broke out as a junior, ranking third among Power Four interior defenders in PFF’s Wins Above Average metric.
His 80.0 PFF grade ranked 10th among Power Four interior defenders, while his 83.8 run-defense grade ranked ninth. He also led all FBS defensive tackles in batted passes at the line of scrimmage, with eight. At 6-foot-3 and 330 pounds, Washington is a rare athlete, reaching more than 17 m.p.h., according to PFF’s player tracking data.
Washington surprised many by returning to Oregon for his senior season despite projections that he would be a top-40 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He broke out as a junior, ranking third among Power Four interior defenders in PFF’s Wins Above Average metric.
His 80.0 PFF grade ranked 10th among Power Four interior defenders, while his 83.8 run-defense grade ranked ninth. He also led all FBS defensive tackles in batted passes at the line of scrimmage, with eight. At 6-foot-3 and 330 pounds, Washington is a rare athlete, reaching more than 17 m.p.h., according to PFF’s player tracking data.
Another massive piece in the trenches for Oregon is Teitum Tuioti, one of the best developmental stories for the Ducks. After coming in as a relatively unheralded 4-star recruit, Tuioti has become one of the best players on the team, and a complete game-wrecker off the edge.
Tuioti is as well-rounded as any edge defender in the country, and his polish shows up both as a pass rusher and a run defender. He was one of just two Big Ten edge defenders to earn 80.0-plus grades in both pass rushing and run defense. Tuioti led the Ducks with 11 sacks and ranked second on the team with 38 pressures. His 58 run stops over the past two seasons rank first among all FBS defensive linemen.
Tuioti is as well-rounded as any edge defender in the country, and his polish shows up both as a pass rusher and a run defender. He was one of just two Big Ten edge defenders to earn 80.0-plus grades in both pass rushing and run defense. Tuioti led the Ducks with 11 sacks and ranked second on the team with 38 pressures. His 58 run stops over the past two seasons rank first among all FBS defensive linemen.
While Tuioti developed as an unheralded player, Matayo Uiagalelei was the opposite, coming to Oregon as a 5-star player who dominated early in his career and has steadily grown and found his perfect spot on the defense. He could easily turn into a first-round pick in next year’s draft with another solid season.
Uiagalelei continued to improve in 2025, ranking sixth among qualified Big Ten edge defenders in PFF grade (82.2). His 52 pressures led Oregon and ranked second in the Big Ten. He is also a reliable run defender who can kick inside over offensive tackles when needed. Expect another big season from Uiagalelei as part of what could be the nation’s best defensive line.
Uiagalelei continued to improve in 2025, ranking sixth among qualified Big Ten edge defenders in PFF grade (82.2). His 52 pressures led Oregon and ranked second in the Big Ten. He is also a reliable run defender who can kick inside over offensive tackles when needed. Expect another big season from Uiagalelei as part of what could be the nation’s best defensive line.
The only underclassman on this list for the Ducks, Brandon Finney Jr. was one of the most encouraging stories of the season last year for Oregon. Taking over as CB1 as a true freshman is a remarkable feat, and Finney did it from Day 1 in Eugene, standing as the best cover corner in Eugene and one of the best defensive backs in the nation.
Finney immediately became a mainstay in Oregon’s secondary as a true freshman in 2025. His 42.3 passer rating allowed was the lowest among qualified Big Ten outside cornerbacks. He also missed just four tackles all season and reeled in three interceptions, two of which came in his signature playoff performance against Texas Tech. The Ducks lost some elite talent in their secondary this offseason, but they should still be in excellent shape with Finney leading the way.
Finney immediately became a mainstay in Oregon’s secondary as a true freshman in 2025. His 42.3 passer rating allowed was the lowest among qualified Big Ten outside cornerbacks. He also missed just four tackles all season and reeled in three interceptions, two of which came in his signature playoff performance against Texas Tech. The Ducks lost some elite talent in their secondary this offseason, but they should still be in excellent shape with Finney leading the way.
The Ducks sent off one of the best TEs in the nation last year in Kenyon Sadiq, who was the top TE in the draft, and now they replace him with quite possibly an even better player. Jamari Johnson has the size and talent to dominate, and the pass-catching abilities to be a complete mismatch. Big things are expected from No. 9 in Eugene.
Oregon lost a first-round tight end in Kenyon Sadiq, but there’s a legitimate chance that his replacement could be even better. Johnson finished the 2025 season ranked seventh among qualified tight ends in receiving grade (85.2), while his 510 receiving yards were the 16th-most in the nation at the position. He’ll be a major factor in what should once again be an elite offense in Eugene.
Oregon lost a first-round tight end in Kenyon Sadiq, but there’s a legitimate chance that his replacement could be even better. Johnson finished the 2025 season ranked seventh among qualified tight ends in receiving grade (85.2), while his 510 receiving yards were the 16th-most in the nation at the position. He’ll be a major factor in what should once again be an elite offense in Eugene.
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