Top performances from Oregon Ducks transfers in Week 1

Following — and in some cases, prior to — the Oregon Ducks‘ College Football Playoff Semifinal loss to the Indiana Hoosiers in January, 31 players entered the transfer portal, looking for more play time elsewhere. For an Oregon roster that routinely fields 20-30 blue-chippers each recruiting class and can only start a finite number of players, it’s the cost of doing business in this day and age of college football.

That was the case for the Ducks this offseason, especially after the announcement that as many as seven likely 2026 NFL draftees made the decision to return, retaining their spot as starters. That led to an influx of transfers, especially along the defensive line.

With Week 1 of the 2026 college football season nearing a close, it’s time to check on those former Ducks. With the level of talent that’s departed the program in recent years, there’s bound to be strong performances by former Oregon players each week, and we’re here to highlight that.

Here are the best performances by former Oregon Ducks in Week 1, beginning with a running back who saw little time in 2025 in Eugene as a highly-coveted incoming transfer but is back to dominating on the field.

Analysis: All of last season at Oregon, which ended up being four games due to redshirting, Makhi Hughes carried the ball 17 times for 70 yards. In his first game with the Houston Cougars, he carried the ball 17 times for 98 yards and a touchdown while catching two passes, helping propel the Cougars take down the Oregon State Beavers, 33-20.

Analysis: Considered to be one of the top transfer safeties, Kingston Lopa followed former Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi to the California Golden Bears. In their opener against the UCLA Bruins, Lopa showed exactly why he was so coveted in intercepting a pass and registering a team-high six tackles. However, the Golden Bears defense couldn’t corral the Bruins’ offense, as they allowed 45 points in the defeat.

Analysis: The star of Oregon’s spring game in 2025, Luke Moga was slated to be among the backups for starter Jack Layne with the New Mexico Lobos — but plans quickly changed when Layne had shoulder surgery just weeks ago, ending his season. While Moga didn’t start, he was the better of the two Lobos quarterbacks as he completed 13-of-17 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown, leading New Mexico to a 38-7 win over Central Michigan.

Analysis: Moving close to home for his final two seasons of eligibility, Jayden Limar was the lead back for the Washington Huskies in their 24-10 victory over the Washington State Cougars in the Apple Cup on Sunday. While the Washington offensive line had trouble providing much movement, Limar still totaled 47 yards and a game-clinching touchdown on 12 carries.

Analysis: The lone running back available for the Ducks alongside Dierre Hill Jr. in the CFP Semifinal, Jay Harris set a career-high with six carries for 53 yards and a touchdown for the Kansas State Wildcats in their 71-3 win over Nicholls State. Harris’ touchdown came late in the third quarter of the blowout, and he was outpaced in carries by two other backs. It’s likely that he’s serving as a reserve for the Wildcats this season.

Analysis: Having redshirted at Oregon in 2023 before a season with the Georgia Bulldogs, Collin Gill has become a star for the Charlotte 49ers over the past two seasons. He had 35 tackles a season ago, and totaled 11 tackles in the first game for the 49ers, a heart-breaking 43-41 loss to The Citadel in triple overtime.

Analysis: Serving as a solid depth receiver in 2024, Justius Lowe’s role diminished in 2025, as he went from 21 catches to just six. He then transferred to San Diego State and led the team in receiving yards in the opener against Portland State, finishing with 56 yards on two catches including a 40-yard touchdown grab.

Analysis: One of seven players along the defensive line to depart from Oregon, Ashton Porter joined Hughes at Houston. In his debut against Oregon State, Porter notched three tackles and a sack after totaling 1.5 sacks in three seasons with the Ducks.

Analysis: After having 32 tackles and two sacks last season, Blake Purchase was one of the main players blocked from a starting job at Oregon when the defensive line returned. He showed out in his Ole Miss Rebels debut on Sunday in front of the nation, finishing with five tackles, half a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss. The Rebels took down the Louisville Cardinals in a thriller, 41-38.

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Top performances from Oregon Ducks transfers in Week 1