Oregon Ducks' final projected depth chart ahead of Boise State matchup
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Fall camp is finally over, and game week has arrived. The Oregon Ducks are just days away from kicking off the 2026 season with a highly anticipated opener against the Boise State Broncos on Saturday afternoon in Autzen Stadium.
At long last, we are going to get to see what Dante Moore can do in his return for one more year, and how explosive the offensive weapons are around him in Drew Mehringer's new offense. On the other side of the ball, the Ducks' defense is as loaded as it's ever been, and ready to wreak havoc on whichever offense happens to line up against them that given week.
While there are a lot of questions left to be answered about this team going into the new year, one of the most important that we have circled is pretty simple at face value: Who are the players that will actually be on the field to start the game?
Without access to practice this fall, it's been tough to cobble together an idea of Oregon's depth chart, but through interviews and discussions with people inside the program, we've gathered a sense of how the Ducks might play this Saturday as the season gets going.
We've updated our depth chart projections throughout every week of fall camp so far, and now, we are ready to make our final prediction. Here's how I think things will look ahead of the first snap on Saturday:
Quarterback
Projected Starter: Dante Moore
Other Names to Know: Dylan Raiola, Akili Smith Jr., Brock Thomas
Changes from 3.0: None
Analysis: I have felt pretty consistently confident about the Oregon QB depth chart, despite the history of uncertainty we've had at this position as far as backups go. Last year, it was impossible to predict which QB was going to come into the game after Dante Moore, and while I'm still aware of that possibility in 2026, I feel like Dylan Raiola will be the guy to step in if needed. Behind him, it's a toss-up between Akili Smith and Brock Thomas, but ultimately, I don't see either getting onto the field much.
Running Back
Projected Starter: Jordon Davison OR Dierre Hill
Other Names to Know: Brandon Smith, Da'Jaun Riggs, Simeon Price, Tradarian Ball
Changes from 3.0: Moved Brandon Smith up
Analysis: Once again, I'm moving freshman Brandon Smith up in the order here. It's impossible to know without seeing him play, but based on everything we are hearing from coaches and players, he appears to be having an incredible fall camp and could be in line to get some major work this year. Will that come over veterans like Da'Jaun Riggs and Simeon Price? It's impossible to tell right now, but I do feel confident in saying that we will see Smith get some run this year.
Wide Receiver
Z Position
Projected Starter: Dakorien Moore
Other Names to Know: Messiah Hampton, Jalen Lott
Changes from 3.0: None
Analysis: As far as which wide receiver lines up at the X, Y, or Z, I'm not sure exactly what we will see on Saturday. However, I feel confident in the fact that it will be Dakorien Moore, Evan Stewart, and Jeremiah McClellan to start the game. I think we will also see a decent amount of Messiah Hampton in this game after hearing quite a bit of good things about him throughout both spring camp and fall camp.
X Position
Projected Starter: Jeremiah McClellan
Other Names to Know: Gatlin Bair
Changes from 3.0: None
Analysis: Going into the fall, we didn't have a great idea for how much of an impact freshman Gatlin Bair would have after coming off of his two-year LDS mission. However, it appears that he's picking things up rapidly and will be in the mix for this Oregon offense. I don't think he will crack the starting rotation at all, but I'd be surprised if we don't see him on the field a decent amount as the fourth or fifth wide receiver early in the year.
A/Slot Position
Projected Starter: Evan Stewart
Other Names to Know: Iverson Hooks, Messiah Hampton
Changes from 3.0: None
Analysis: Evan Stewart is in for a big year, but behind him I'm very interested to see what Iverson Hooks is able to provide. He brings a skill set that Oregon hasn't had since Tez Johnson was on the team back in 2024. It could add a whole new wrinkle to the offense once again, but it's hard to know how much he will be on the field, given how good the other three top receivers are.
Tight End
Projected Starter: Jamari Johnson
Other Names to Know: Kendre Harrison, Markus Dixon, Andrew Olesh
Changes from 3.0: None
Analysis: There hasn't been much change at the tight end position this fall, in my mind. We know how good Jamari Johnson is at the top. Who steps in behind him is the biggest question at this point. I think that freshman Kendre Harrison is going to get a good amount of run, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Clemson transfer Markus Dixon get in the mix on both blocking and passing downs.
Offensive Line
Left Tackle
Projected Starter: Fox Crader
Other Names to Know: Ziyarre Addison, Gernorris Wilson, Tommy Tofi
Changes from 3.0: None
Analysis: I'm ready to cement my predictions on the offensive line. In my mind, it will be Fox Crader at left tackle, though I do think that guys like Ziyarre Addison and Gernorris Wilson were able to push him a little bit by the end of camp. Ultimately, though, Crader has the experience and has been groomed for this role. Should Oregon need to test the depth here, I think they will be well-suited to do so.
Left Guard
Projected Starter: Douglas Utu
Other Names to Know: Kawika Rogers, Ziyarre Addison
Changes from 3.0: None
Analysis: I went back and forth between Kawika Rogers and Douglas Utu at this spot throughout fall camp, but I ultimately think it will be Utu who gets the nod here to start the game on Saturday. There are several positions on the offensive line that will see multiple guys step in as they rotate new faces in, and I think this will be one of them, but in my mind, Utu is at the top.
Center
Projected Starter: Iapani Laloulu
Other Names to Know: Dave Iuli, Devin Brooks, Kawika Rogers
Changes from 3.0: None
Analysis: If Dave Iuli is healthy, I think he will be the backup center, should anything happen to Poncho. If that isn't the case, I think Devin Brooks can be the guy.
Right Guard
Projected Starter: Tommy Tofi
Other Names to Know: Dave Iuli, Kawika Rogers, Michael Bennett
Changes from 3.0: None
Analysis: Right guard and right tackle are the two hardest spots to project, in my opinion. I could easily see the starting RG being either Tommy Tofi or Dave Iuli, who is reportedly fully healthy now, but which one starts is a close call. Ultimately, I'm going with the freshman, but I'm ready to be wrong.
Right Tackle
Projected Starter: Gernorris Wilson
Other Names to Know: Ziyarre Addison, Tommy Tofi, Michael Bennett, Immanuel Iheanacho
Changes from 3.0: Moved Gernorris Wilson Up
Analysis: Once again, I'm ready to stick my flag in the sand and make a prediction at the right tackle spot. I think it will be Gernorris Wilson who gets the start on Saturday. I've been back and forth between him and Ziyarre Addison throughout the fall, and even considered Tommy Tofi here. I still could see either of those two earning snaps here, but ultimately, I think Gernorris gets the start.
Defensive Line
Nose Tackle
Projected Starter: Bear Alexander OR Matthew Johnson
Other Names to Know: D'Antre Robinson
Changes from 3.0: None
Analysis: In the final depth chart projection, I try not to keep "OR" in the mix, but here at nose tackle, I think it's warranted, simply because I think both Bear Alexander and Matthew Johnson should be considered starters, just with different roles. I think that Alexander will technically be the first guy to run out there and play on 1st and 10, but by the time we get to 2nd and long or 3rd and long, I think that Johnson will be the guy. In my mind, both are starters.
Defensive Tackle
Projected Starter: A'Mauri Washington
Other Names to Know: Aydin Breland, Tank Jones
Changes from 3.0: None
Analysis: I think it's pretty clear and obvious that A'Mauri Washington is the guy here, and he's going to see a lot of snaps in multiple situations. What interests me the most is how creative the staff is going to get with the defensive front in order to get guys like Aydin Breland and Tank Jones on the field. They are clearly above-the-line players with a ton of talent, and will likely have an impact this season.
Edge Rusher
Defensive End
Projected Starter: Matayo Uiagalelei
Other Names to Know: Elijah Rushing, Dutch Horisk, Bleu Dantzler
Changes from 3.0: None
Analysis: I think defensive end is a pretty sound position, as are most of the spots on the front line. Matayo Uiagalelei is going to be the guy on both rushing and passing downs, but how much the other guys rotate in — maybe adding Rushing on a 5-man front or a bear look? — is going to be fascinating to see early on this season.
Jack Linebacker
Projected Starter: Teitum Tuioti
Other Names to Know: Elijah Rushing, Dutch Horisk
Changes from 3.0: None
Analysis: I was tempted to remove Dutch Horisk here, all due respect, because I'm just not sure how much we will see him, specifically in this position. We haven't seen him play at the college level before, so I'm not quite sure what to expect. At the top, though, this is Teitum Tuioti's spot, and I expect him to be a dominant force this year.
Strong-side linebacker
Projected Starter: Nasir Wyatt
Other Names to Know: Bleu Dantzler
Changes from 3.0: None
Analysis: This is an easy one at the top, as Nasir Wyatt is expected to have a breakout year and be a big force on the defensive side of the ball, but who steps up behind him is up in the air at the moment. I think that Bleu Dantzler can be a name to watch as we get into the season, but I am ready to see anyone step up here.
Linebacker
Mac Linebacker
Projected Starter: Jerry Mixon
Other Names to Know: Gavin Nix, Dylan Williams
Changes from 3.0: None
Analysis: Jerry Mixon is the guy for me here, and the linebacker who I feel most confident in on the team. I think that Gavin Nix can provide some real support as well. We've heard some good things about Dylan Williams so far this fall, so I think he could be in the mix here as well.
Money Linebacker
Projected Starter: Devon Jackson
Other Names to Know: Gavin Nix
Changes from 3.0: Removed Nasir Wyatt
Analysis: I think that Devon Jackson will be the guy here, though I hear arguments for Gavin Nix as well. The biggest change was removing Nasir Wyatt from the mix. After talking to multiple people, it sounds like quotes were taken a bit out of context about him moving around on the defense — potentially inside — early on this year.
Cornerback
Field Cornerback
Projected Starter: Brandon Finney
Other Names to Know: Ify Obidegwu, Aaron Scott Jr., Dorian Brew
Changes from 3.0: None
Analysis: The cornerback position has been a tough one to nail down this fall, but on one side, I think it's pretty easy to predict that Brandon Finney is going to be the guy for Oregon. As the CB1 in his true freshman year, Finney is back and ready for more as a sophomore. I also expect guys like Ify Obidegwu, Aaron Scott Jr., and Dorian Brew to all be in the mix as well.
Boundary Cornerback
Projected Starter: Na'eem Offord
Other Names to Know: Ify Obidegwu, Dorian Brew, Aaron Scott Jr.
Changes from 3.0: Moved Na'eem Offord up
Analysis: I'm ready to put my prediction down in pen. I think that Na'eem Offord will be the starter alongside Brandon Finney, taking the spot from Ify Obidegwu. I am very open to being wrong about this, but I think that after all we've heard about Offord in practice so far this year, it's pretty encouraging, and I think he's got the starting job.
Safety
Field Safety
Projected Starter: Koi Perich
Other Names to Know: Peyton Woodyard, Trey McNutt
Changes from 3.0: Flipped Woodyard and McNutt
Analysis: Koi Perich is the guy for me here, and I think he could end up being one of the best players on the team for Oregon this season. While I am very excited to see what Trey McNutt can do coming off of injury, I continue to hear incredible buzz about Peyton Woodyard, who could be in for an incredible year. I think that the Ducks will do what they can to get him on the field as much as possible.
Boundary Safety
Projected Starter: Aaron Flowers
Other Names to Know: Peyton Woodyard, Trey McNutt
Changes from 3.0: None
Analysis: I was incredibly close to flipping Woodyard and Flowers here for the starting spot, but in the end, I couldn't quite get over the line. I think that Flowers is a really good player and had a strong season, but I also think that Woodyard has been one of the biggest risers this offseason. In the end, I think both of them see quite a bit of the field, maybe in some three-safety looks.
Nickel/Star
Projected Starter: Davon Benjamin
Other Names to Know: Carl Williams IV, Na'eem Offord
Changes from 3.0: Removed Woodyard
Analysis: At the top, I've got the freshman Davon Benjamin winning this starting job over Baylor transfer Carl Williams IV, but I think we see quite a bit of both of them. I also removed Peyton Woodyard from the mix because I think he plays deeper in the box and in the secondary rather than in the slot.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon Ducks' final projected depth chart ahead of Boise State matchup
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