Oregon coach Dan Lanning doesn’t usually play favorites when the conversation turns to breakout candidates. At Big Ten Media Days, though, he broke character and put a name on the board: Evan Stewart.
“I always hate this question, by the way,” Lanning said. “I’m going to actually give you a name this time. Normally, I sidestep it.”
That name came with a clear vote of confidence.
“Evan Stewart’s had a really good offseason,” Lanning continued. “He was out for us last year.
He was injured during the year, but I’m really excited about what Evan can bring to our team this year. We have a lot of great players, so it’s unfair for me to pick one, but he’s had a great offseason.
I’m excited to see what he can create this year.”
Stewart’s case is easy to understand. He has the kind of speed that changes games in a hurry, and he arrives in a Ducks offense with championship-level expectations.
The question has never been talent. It’s been whether he can finally stay on the field and put it all together for a full season.
That’s why Lanning’s endorsement matters. Stewart is one of Oregon’s most experienced players, and a stronger voice in the locker room would only help a team trying to replace major production. The Ducks also have reasons to believe Stewart can slide into a bigger role after losing Malik Benson and Kenyon Sadiq from 2025.
His road back has been a long one. Stewart did not appear in a game in 2025 after suffering a torn patellar tendon in June of 2025, and how he responds from that injury is one of the biggest storylines around the Oregon offense heading into the season.
The offseason has not been quiet for him. Stewart joined Lanning, quarterback Dante Moore, receivers Dakorien Moore and Jeremiah McClellan, tight end Jamari Johnson, and running backs Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr. in Japan for a historical NIL showcase. The group helped teach 7-on-7 football in the Japanese football community, and Moore shared behind-the-scenes moments from the trip on TikTok.
Stewart has also been focused on the work behind the scenes. He has been vocal about turning his weaknesses into strengths, and his longtime trainer, Craig LeBlanc, says the receiver has taken a noticeable step.
LeBlanc, who has worked with Stewart for seven years, told Oregon Ducks on SI reporter Bri Amaranthus, “He’s visibly faster,” Stewart’s trainer told Oregon Ducks on SI reporter Bri Amaranthus. “I didn’t have a GPS on him yesterday, but I’ve worked with him for seven years and I’ve never seen speed like he has right now.
It’s explosive.”
LeBlanc said the training has centered on rebuilding strength in Stewart’s injured right leg and bringing both sides of his body into better balance.
The possibility of Stewart becoming Dante Moore’s top target is easy to see. Oregon enters the year with a deep group of weapons, including Dakorien Moore, McClellan and Johnson, but Stewart has the résumé to become the go-to option if his recovery holds.
His 2024 season offered a strong glimpse of what he can do. In his first year at Oregon after transferring from Texas A&M, Stewart finished second on the team with 48 catches for 613 yards and five touchdowns while working with now-Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
He had at least one reception in 12 of 13 games and produced two 100-yard outings. Stewart also showed off his big-play ability throughout the year, piling up 23 catches of at least 10 yards, including seven gains of more than 20 yards and multiple receptions that went for more than 60 yards.
As fall camp opens in the beginning of August, Oregon will be watching Stewart closely - not just to see how he looks coming off the injury, but to see whether he can step into the leadership role Lanning was willing to acknowledge.
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