Our Oregon football program had some massive turnover in this offseason at key positions. Usually, that’d leave most programs in a spot to rebuild, but head coach Dan Lanning has continued to do such an outstanding job recruiting year round that the Ducks are virtually always ready to reload.
Even our own Mr. FishDuck took a break from his gaming fun at Slotozen to weigh in with me on the depth of this 2025 team,and how it has achieved a program-high Blue-Chip Ratio of 78%. Duck fans are going to see some familiar faces that did not play as much last year, but will now have the opportunity to show their exceptional talents as new starters.
That roster has put Oregon in a prime position to contend again in 2025, following a 13-win season and B1G Championship victory. Dante Moore will be taking over under center, Dakorien Moore will surely start to shine, and the running back room looks just as good as it did in 2024.
One player, though, is my guy to watch in week one.

Bear Alexander looks to build on a GREAT pair of seasons in Southern California – (Via Twitter @TrojansWire)
Oregon Football’s Player to Watch in Week One: Bear Alexander
For those unfamiliar with Bear’s tape—it’s elite. Twitch, great hand placement, always drawing double teams & sifting through traffic to stop the run, he looks like he’s going to be a well-rounded pro in the next couple of seasons. At USC, Alexander led all Power Five defenses in interior defensive line pressures.
At Oregon, that’s going to translate into sack production FAST. Lucky for us, we get to watch him add much-needed push to the interior and free up the Ducks’ rising star edge rusher, Matayo Uiagalelei. Together, this pair should make the front seven of the Ducks one of the best in the B1G Ten.
Now, will Montana State pose much of a threat to Oregon’s season in week one? Absolutely not. But this will offer a healthy dose of confidence and chemistry for Alexander to get his footing in this defense, and find a spot as one of the top interior tacticians the rest of the conference will have to prepare for all season long.
Overall, what I want to see in week one is how they work together. How will Alexander’s efforts impact Uiagalelei’s sack production? Will Alexander be a goal line X-factor for Oregon? Let us know in the FishDuck Forum with decorum.
GO DUCKS!
Alex Heining
Los Angeles, California
Top Photo By: Gary Breedlove
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Alex Heining is an Oregon alumni from the graduate class of 2021. After studying sports business and media studies, he has moved into the field of digital marketing as a copywriter and content manager in the Los Angeles area. Still, he loves his Ducks and goes to local high school games all over the Los Angeles and Orange County area to check out new recruits of the future (and a SoFi game or two with the pros). On any given Saturday, expect to find him doing martial arts, playing the guitar, or screaming at the tv over a missed holding penalty.

