It's almost time for football in Eugene. The Oregon Ducks are wrapping up fall camp this week before preparing for the season opener against Boise State at Autzen Stadium on Sept. 5. The expectations are high with one of the most talented rosters in the country.
That sentiment was supported by USA TODAY's ranking of the top 100 college football players heading into the 2026 season. Nine Ducks landed in the rankings, the most of any program. Led by a Heisman-caliber quarterback and armed with plenty of experience in big games, Oregon is one of the frontrunners to win it all this season, but talent can only take a team so far.
The Ducks who made the list were not surprising, but there were a few notable omissions. Evan Stewart, who missed all of
last season, didn't make the cut, but given how explosive his offseason has been, he figures to be a major part of the offense again this season. Nose tackle Bear Alexander also didn't make the list, despite the other three veterans up front placing highly.
Let's take a look at where the Ducks fell in USA TODAY's top 100.
WR Dakorien Moore
USA TODAY Top 100 Ranking: No. 79
After injuries slowed his otherwise impressive freshman campaign, Dakorien Moore returns for year two with the Ducks ready to lead a loaded receiver room. He made 34 catches for 497 yards with three touchdowns last season, and his connection with Dante Moore is only improving with more reps in practice. Oregon's leading receiver last year, Malik Benson, is no longer in the program, so the Ducks do need Moore to take a big step this year.
TE Jamari Johnson
USA TODAY Top 100 Ranking: No. 67
Jamari Johnson shined as a backup to first-round pick Kenyon Sadiq last year, making 32 catches for 510 yards with three touchdowns. With a massive 6-foot-5 frame, Johnson is a big target for Moore and moves incredibly well after the catch, given his size. Johnson is the second-highest ranked tight end on the list, falling just behind Texas Tech's Terrance Carter Jr., who checked in at No. 51. He could put together another strong season, this time as a starter, and wind up as another first-round tight end for Oregon in the spring.
EDGE Teitum Tuioti
USA TODAY Top 100 Ranking: No. 46
The Ducks got their entire defensive line back for one last run, and Teitum Tuioti is one of the most vital members of that group. After leading the defense with 9.5 sacks last season, Tuioti returns as a vocal leader for the Ducks with plenty of game experience. Despite the overwhelming talent and experience up front, the Ducks didn't create as much pressure as they hoped last season, and Tuioti is leading the charge to get the Ducks' pass rush into shape before the season begins.
C Iapani Laloulu
USA TODAY Top 100 Ranking: No. 44
Oregon's offensive line may be the lone question mark offensively after losing three starters in the offseason. However, Iapani Laloulu returned and is the glue that keeps the Ducks' big linemen together. He will be tasked with helping new starters gel early in the season, while the Ducks experiment with different rotations up front. Laloulu is also on the watch list for the Rimmington Trophy, which is annually presented to the nation's most outstanding center. He was a finalist for the award last season.
CB Brandon Finney Jr.
USA TODAY Top 100 Ranking: No. 42
Brandon Finney Jr. broke out quickly for the Ducks as a true freshman and became one of the nation's premier shutdown corners. Oregon expects nothing but the same from Finney as a sophomore after he snagged three interceptions and made seven deflections in his first season. Oregon's secondary largely returns, but a few new pieces are being woven in. Finney is a constant that the Ducks should be able to rely on again in big moments.
S Koi Perich
USA TODAY Top 100 Ranking: No. 36
One of those new pieces is Minnesota transfer Koi Perich, who came to Eugene in the offseason as the top safety in the transfer portal. Perich is a dynamic threat defensively and on special teams, where he previously starred as a return man for the Golden Gophers. He could return punts for the Ducks, but ultimately his talents were brought to Oregon because of his tackling and ball-hawking abilities on defense. Perich collected 128 tackles, six interceptions, four pass deflections, two forced fumbles and one sack during his two seasons at Minnesota.
EDGE Matayo Uiagalelei
USA TODAY Top 100 Ranking: No. 34
The Ducks trusted Matayo Uiagalelei as a freshman with plenty of reps, and he hasn't let the team down in his first three seasons, racking up 18.3 career sacks and 90 tackles. Heading into his senior season, Uiagalelei slimmed down to be more of an athletic threat off the edge, hoping to regain his 2024 form, when he led the Ducks with 10.5 sacks and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors.
DT A'Mauri Washington
USA TODAY Top 100 Ranking: No. 21
Another Duck who passed on a potential first-round pick, A'Mauri Washington is a wrecking ball against the run and a nuisance at the line of scrimmage batting down passes. Washington only entered the lineup as a starter last season, proving to be one of Oregon's biggest developmental victories. He made 4.5 tackles for loss and had eight pass deflections in a breakout season last year. His goal is to finish more plays this season, and if he improves at all upon his 2025 campaign, he could give Big Ten offenses nightmares.
QB Dante Moore
USA TODAY Top 100 Ranking: No. 7
Moore is the biggest piece of the puzzle for the Ducks after turning down a potential top pick in the draft to develop more at Oregon. He threw for 3,565 yards with 30 touchdowns to 10 interceptions last season, and after consulting former NFL greats and Oregon stars, Moore's decision to come back to Eugene puts the Ducks squarely in the national title conversation. He could follow in Fernando Mendoza's footsteps as a Heisman winner and top pick in a loaded draft class. Moore is the third-highest ranked quarterback on the list, trailing Ohio State's Julian Sayin (No. 6) and Ole Miss' Trinidad Chambliss (No. 2).
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon lands several stars on USA TODAY's top 100 players rankings
