Oregon’s Key Transition Time Brings Excitement…

Oregon football is coming off a historic season, securing its first Big Ten title and earning the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. With Dan Lanning at the helm, the Ducks maintain momentum in recruiting and the transfer portal. While football is soaring, Oregon basketball is searching for answers. The men’s and women’s teams have had their share of highs and lows this season. Mr. FishDuck took a break from his fun at Jokabet casino to discuss this important transitional period for Oregon sports.

Here’s what’s happening so far in 2025:

Elite Recruiting Classes:

Oregon landed the No. 4 overall recruiting class for 2025, led by five-star wide receiver Dakorien Moore (think Jeremiah Smith, but hopefully without the arrogance and entitlement), top-ranked cornerback Na’eem Offord, and five-star offensive linemen Ziyare Addison and Douglas Utu. Lanning’s ability to bring in high-caliber talent is a key factor in keeping the Ducks at an elite level.

Additionally, Oregon’s 2026 recruiting class holds the nation’s top ranking with 10 commitments, but the Ducks may have a fight on their hands to keep one of their key pieces. Four-star quarterback Jonas Williams, committed to Oregon for six months, visited USC over the weekend, and the Trojans are making a strong push to flip him, according to ON3. USC head coach Lincoln Riley’s track record with quarterbacks makes the Trojans an enticing option from a distance.

However, Riley hasn’t lived up to expectations in Los Angeles and he’s kind of a weirdo regarding his handling of player dynamics and the media. That said, all of this competition should be expected. Remember when Oregon wooed away De’Anthony Thomas from USC? I do, too. Watching then-new Trojans head coach Lane Kiffin squirm and scratch his head at the decision was fantastic. Stealing prospects away is part of the deal.

Dante Moore Takes Over at QB:

With Dillon Gabriel off to the NFL, former five-star recruit Dante Moore is poised to take over as Oregon’s starting quarterback. The talented signal-caller initially committed to Oregon in 2023, flipped to UCLA, then returned to Eugene, watching Heisman finalist Dillon Gabriel lead the Ducks to a 13-0 regular season and Big Ten title. Now, it appears he’ll get his shot at leading the Ducks’ offense.

Matayo Uiagalelei’s Breakout Year:

The Ducks’ dominant defensive end led the Big Ten in sacks last season and is set for an even bigger year in 2025. Some believe Uiagalelei could be a top-five pick in the 2026 NFL Draft if he continues to progress.

The NIL Arms Race:

Oregon has been aggressive in name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, keeping pace with gridiron juggernauts Ohio State, Texas, and Georgia. The Ducks’ NIL collective, Division Street, remains one of the strongest in college football, helping Oregon land top talent in recruiting battles.

Can the Ducks Get Over the Playoff Hump?

Oregon has made major strides under Lanning, but the season ended in disappointment with a 41-21 loss to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. The next challenge is proving the Ducks can win in the College Football Playoff and contend for a national championship.

Gossip at Other Teams:

While Ducks fans had their hearts ripped out on New Year’s Day with a devastating Rose Bowl loss to the eventual national champion Ohio State Buckeyes, there is some pleasure in watching the Buckeyes lose their defensive and offensive coordinators this offseason. Defensive mind Jim Knowles is off to Big Ten rival Penn State, and offensive guru Chip Kelly will join Pete Carroll with the Las Vegas Raiders (Surely, that wasn’t on your bingo card).

While Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day landed on Brian Hartline to run the offense in Columbus, there were rumors that Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein was a potential candidate. While it wasn’t likely, it serves as a reminder for Ducks fans: As Lanning brings this program higher up the football food chain, the potential for poaching coaches and players from Eugene also increases.

Revamped Offensive Line:

No. 1 Transfer Isaiah World Joins Ducks
Oregon secured the No. 1 player in the 2025 transfer portal, offensive tackle and hungry man Isaiah World, to anchor its offensive line next season. World, a 6-foot-8, 309-pound former Nevada standout, arrives alongside four-star linemen Emmanuel Pregnon (USC/Wyoming) and Alex Harkey (Texas State). The trio will be tasked with protecting Moore and paving the way for Tulane transfer running back Makhi Hughes, who takes over for NFL-bound Jordan James.

Oregon’s 2025 NFL Draft Prospects

The Ducks will see a strong group of players entering the 2025 NFL Draft. Notable names include defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr., and wide receiver Tez Johnson, all projected as top-100 picks. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel, linebacker Jeffrey Bassa, and cornerback Jabbar Muhammad are also expected to draw interest from NFL teams. Here’s the complete list of the top Ducks in contention for the 2025 NFL Draft:

• Derrick Harmon, DT – The 6’5″, 310-pound defensive tackle was a dominant force for Oregon’s interior defensive line and is expected to be one of the top defensive linemen off the board.
• Josh Conerly Jr., OT – A former five-star recruit and anchor of Oregon’s offensive line, Conerly Jr. projects as a first-round pick and one of the draft’s top tackles.
• Tez Johnson, WR – A speedy, dynamic receiver, Johnson transferred to Oregon from Troy and quickly became one of the team’s top playmakers.
• Jordan Burch, DE – The former five-star defensive end and South Carolina transfer made an immediate impact in Oregon’s pass rush and looks to be a high-round selection.
• Ajani Cornelius, OT – Cornelius played a key role in protecting Oregon’s quarterbacks and bolstering the offensive line, setting himself up as a potential mid-round pick.
• Terrance Ferguson, TE – A versatile tight end with size and speed, Ferguson emerged as a top target in Oregon’s offense and is a likely Day 2 selection.
• Jordan James, RB – With 1,267 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024, James declared for the draft and is expected to be among the top running backs selected.
• Dillon Gabriel, QB – The left-handed quarterback wrapped up a prolific college career at Oregon and enters the draft as an experienced passer with strong leadership qualities. He’s short for an NFL gunslinger, but his accuracy, ability to scramble when necessary and calm demeanor in the pocket may give him a shot at going pro.
• Jeffrey Bassa, LB – A converted safety turned linebacker, Bassa provided versatility on defense and will look to carry that over to the next level.
• Jabbar Muhammad, CB – A lockdown corner with strong ball skills, Muhammad brings experience and toughness to the draft class.
• Jamaree Caldwell, DL – The 6’1″, 340-pound defensive tackle was a key rotational player for Oregon and looks like a late-round selection.
• Traeshon Holden, WR – Despite spitting in a Buckeye cornerback’s face during Oregon’s regular-season victory over Ohio State, the Alabama transfer brought size and reliability to Oregon’s receiving corps and hopes to hear his name called on draft day.
• Dontae Manning, CB – A former four-star recruit, Manning possesses elite speed and will look to impact as a developmental defensive back at the next level.
• Jestin Jacobs, LB – A physical linebacker with a strong motor, Jacobs rounds out Oregon’s deep draft class and could be a sleeper pick.

With key departures on both sides of the ball, the Ducks will rely on their incoming recruits and transfers to keep them in contention for another strong season in the Big Ten.

Basketball: A Season of Struggles

• Men’s Basketball in a Slump: After starting the season strong and reaching the Top 10, the Ducks have dropped four straight games and fallen to 16-7 overall. Oregon is struggling to score consistently and has been outworked defensively in Big Ten play.
• Dana Altman’s Frustration: Oregon head coach Dana Altman hasn’t been shy about his disappointment, calling out his team’s lack of effort after recent losses. “They simply played harder than us,” Altman said after Oregon’s loss to Nebraska. With only eight conference games left, the Ducks need to turn things around quickly.
• Peyton Scott’s Leadership for the Women’s Team: The women’s program has found stability behind sixth-year guard Peyton Scott, who has played a crucial role in getting Oregon back into NCAA Tournament contention. The Ducks are 16-6 and poised to return to March Madness after a two-year absence.
• March Madness Aspirations: The men’s team is currently projected as a No. 4 seed, while the women’s squad is on track for a No. 9 seed. Both teams still have work to do to secure strong postseason positioning.

Spring Sports Look Strong

Oregon will make some noise in the B1G conference as the Womens Softball team is a Preseason No. 23, while the Mens Baseball team is a Preseason No. 12, the highest ranking for any B1G Baseball team going into the season. The women have their first games today, and the men start at PK Park next weekend with a very exciting scoring team to watch in Eugene. Do discuss at the only free, civilized, Oregon football message board available, the Our Beloved Ducks forum, all these transitional topics.

Where do you think Oregon sports are headed?

Jordan Ingram
San Diego, California
Top Photo by Steven Chan