Dante Moore could’ve easily been shaking hands with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell this April as a top-two pick in the 2026 draft. Instead, he’s running it back in Eugene. And in doing so, Moore just became the early frontrunner for QB1 in the 2027 class.
The decision raised eyebrows, but it wasn’t exactly shocking. Moore made it clear he’s eyeing one more year of development at Oregon before turning pro - and that extra season could pay off big. He’ll enter 2026 as one of the most-watched players in college football, and ESPN has already pegged him as a top name to know for next year’s draft.
And he’s not the only Duck with unfinished business.
Defensive tackle A’Mauri Washington also opted to return, despite being widely seen as a potential first-rounder in 2026. That’s a big win for Oregon’s defense - and a problem for every offensive line they’ll face.
At 6-foot-3, 330 pounds, Washington isn’t just a space-eater - he’s a disruptor. He combines rare burst for his size with elite strength and lateral agility, making him a nightmare in the trenches.
NFL scouts already had him circled as a Day 1 target this year. Now, he enters 2026 as the early favorite to be the top defensive tackle off the board.
But the Ducks’ 2027 draft buzz doesn’t stop there.
Tight end Jamari Johnson is another name climbing the radar. After transferring to Oregon last season with minimal hype, Johnson turned heads by the end of the year. Injuries to Kenyon Sadiq and the wide receiver corps opened the door, and Johnson didn’t just step through it - he kicked it down.
He started the year with just nine catches in the first seven games. But down the stretch, he led the team in receiving three times and became a go-to target for Moore.
At 6-foot-5, 257 pounds, Johnson blends size, strength, and soft hands - a rare combo at the college level. He’s not just a pass-catcher either; he’s got the power to line up inline and block, which gives him an edge over many of his peers at the position.
ESPN’s Matt Miller already has him as his top tight end for the 2027 draft class, even with Sadiq - a likely top-50 pick - still in the mix.
Then there’s the newcomer: Koi Perich.
The former Minnesota standout transferred to Oregon this offseason, and while he hasn’t played a snap for the Ducks yet, he’s already being touted as a potential first-rounder. Perich is a Swiss Army knife on the back end - a safety with experience as a punt returner and even a running back.
In two seasons at Minnesota, he racked up 128 tackles and six interceptions. He’s got 4.4 speed, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame, and a knack for making plays when the ball’s in the air.
There’s still some polish needed in coverage, but the tools are all there. If he can put it together in Oregon’s system, he could be a top-15 pick.
For Moore, Washington, Johnson, and Perich, the 2026 season is about more than just improving draft stock. It’s about chasing a championship while sharpening their games on college football’s biggest stage. Each of them had a legitimate case to leave early - and each chose to stay.
That tells you something about what Oregon is building.
And come next fall, all eyes will be on Eugene.