Oregon Pass-Rusher Named ESPN Preseason All-American
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ESPN snubbed the Oregon Ducks offense with their preseason All-American list, leaving quarterback Dante Moore off first and second teams for Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin and Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr.
Sayin and Carr were interesting choices for the outlet, as Moore and Texas quarterback Arch Manning seem to be the top quarterbacks in college football heading into the upcoming season.
Oregon did have a name pop up for the first-team defense. Defensive tackle A'Mauri Washington could be one of the best defensive linemen in football, and he's set for an even better year in 2026 with a loaded front seven.
"Washington brings elite power and explosiveness to the middle of the Ducks' defense and put together a breakout year in his first season as a starter in 2025, recording 33 tackles, 15 pressures, and 4.5 TFLs while leading all Big Ten defensive linemen with eight pass breakups.
"Washington opted to stay in school and keep building his draft résumé while playing on a star-studded D-line alongside returning starters Teitum Tuioti, Matayo Uiagalelei and Bear Alexander."
– From ESPN
Washington wanted to return to Eugene to work on his skillset before making the leap to the NFL. Earlier this spring, he said he wanted to work on finishing plays in his final year at Oregon.
“More of finishing plays," Washington said, via Ducks Wire. "I feel like it'd be times when you get there, excellent block release, all of that, but then it's just the finish. It's one thing to get there, but you've got to finish on it.
"And in the league, it’s gonna be better, guys. Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, guys you've got to really finish on, because they’re trained to stop you, you know what I'm saying? They've got to break tackles. You've got to finish on guys thatare elite as well.”
The offense should do enough to make Oregon a contender in the CFP. But the defense will be critical to the Ducks winning their first-ever national title.
Washington will play a huge role for the defense, providing an interior pressure that will make life easier for Oregon's already talented edge.
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