The Ducks just got a major boost for 2026 - and it’s coming from a familiar face.
Wide receiver Evan Stewart is officially running it back in Eugene. After missing the entire 2025 season with a torn patella suffered during summer workouts, Stewart announced on social media that he’ll return to Oregon for his final year of eligibility. It’s big news for a Ducks offense that’s already stacked with young talent - and now gets one of its most dynamic playmakers back in the fold.
Stewart’s road back hasn’t been easy. The injury sidelined him for the entire regular season, and while he made a push to return during Oregon’s postseason run, he never suited up for a game. He did, however, rejoin the team in practice, trying to work his way back into game shape ahead of the Orange Bowl.
“Sometimes stuff hits the fan and sometimes it goes smooth,” Stewart said in Miami before the bowl game. “I'm going to keep chopping every day… I'm just blessed to be here with [my teammates].”
There was real uncertainty about Stewart’s future after the season. He had options - entering the NFL Draft or transferring elsewhere were both on the table.
But ultimately, the chance to finish what he started in Eugene, especially alongside quarterback Dante Moore, proved too compelling to pass up. Moore, who announced earlier this week that he’s also returning, gives Stewart a high-upside QB to pair with - and that duo could be electric.
Before the injury, Stewart was penciled in as Oregon’s top returning wideout. In 2024, he posted 48 catches for 613 yards and five touchdowns, showcasing the explosiveness and route-running polish that made him such a key piece of the Ducks’ offense. Now, with one year left, he’s set to rejoin a receiver room that’s quietly becoming one of the deepest in the country.
Even without Stewart, Oregon’s wide receiver group was looking scary. Dakorien Moore and Jeremiah McClellan both flashed serious upside as freshmen and are expected to take big steps forward as sophomores. Add in two incoming 5-star freshmen - Gatlin Bair and Jalen Lott - plus UAB transfer Iverson Hooks, a proven playmaker in the slot, and this group suddenly looks like a nightmare for opposing secondaries.
But Stewart’s return changes the ceiling. He brings experience, leadership, and a proven ability to make plays at every level of the field. And with Moore slinging it and a loaded supporting cast around him, Stewart could be poised for a huge final chapter in his college career.
The Ducks aren’t just reloading - they’re reuniting. And with Stewart back in the mix, Oregon’s offense in 2026 just got a whole lot more dangerous.