It didn't take Nasir Wyatt far into his freshman season with the Oregon Ducks before he began impressing, as he recorded his first career sack in the Ducks' second game against the Montana State Bobcats. He logged only 39 snaps but made the absolute most of them, finishing the year third on the team with three sacks, a forced fumble and 11 total tackles.
Primarily deployed on third-down blitzes and various pressures, Wyatt used his 6-foot-2, 228-pound frame to blast past would-be blocker and get to the quarterback in a flash. But what proved to be his superpower also turned out to be his downfall, as a sub-230-pound edge rusher had to be schemed into action. If he were to be on the field on early downs, teams would likely target his side and run
the ball right at him, capitalizing on his lean frame.
No more in 2026. With his newly-chiseled, bulky frame, Wyatt arrived at fall camp already impressing and has continued that sentiment through one week, with CBS Sports' Brad Crawford tabbing him as one of the biggest risers thus far infall camp.
"From failing to bulk up early in his career to now tipping the scales at a muscular 245 pounds, Wyatt finally looks the part as one of the Ducks' outside linebackers," Crawford wrote. "Defensive coordinator Chris Hampton said after Oregon's second day of fall camp that Wyatt has a chance to be an "every-down player" this fall, which speaks to his offseason body makeover and what he's shown on the field early. That level of consistency must continue, Hampton says, to warrant extended reps at an uber-talented position group for one of the Big Ten's frontrunners."
Reps won't come easy for Wyatt, who, as a hybrid linebacker/edge rusher, is behind starters Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti, two players garnering early-round buzz in the 2027 NFL Draft class.
But during head coach Dan Lanning's tenure, the best players are put on the field regardless of fanfare or draft hype. Whoever will help the Ducks win the most games will be placed on the field.
And in 2026, you bet Wyatt will be on the field plenty more than 39 snaps, making even more of an impact during a potential sophomore breakout.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon's Nasir Wyatt highlighted as major fall camp riser
