Evan Stewart is wasting no time turning his return to Oregon into something bigger than football.
The No. 6 Ducks receiver was back on the field in Week 1 for the first time in more than a year, and just as quickly, he was back in the NIL spotlight. On Friday, Stewart posted a new partnership with McDonald’s Oregon, adding another brand move to a resume that’s becoming just as eye-catching off the field as it is on it.
The timing fits. Stewart had just played his first collegiate game in over a year, and he was already gearing up for Oregon’s Week 2 road trip to face the Oklahoma State Cowboys. That kind of visibility matters, and Stewart has shown he knows how to use it.
This latest deal is only his newest NIL stop. In March, Stewart teamed up with Oregon’s DOAF, or Ducks of a Feather, alongside tight end Jamari Johnson, running back Dierre Hill Jr. and receiver Iverson Hooks. The group promoted the Nike Air Max 95 BB PE (“The Woods” and “Lumber Yard”) colorways on social media, with proceeds going directly to participating University of Oregon student-athletes.
Stewart’s profile keeps climbing, and the numbers back that up. He has 2.1 million followers on TikTok and 75.6 million likes there, plus 270,000 Instagram followers and more than 30,200 on X, formerly Twitter. That kind of reach makes him one of the more visible faces in the Oregon locker room.
On the field, his return had its highs and lows.
Stewart was back in front of the Autzen Stadium crowd after missing the entire 2025 season because of a torn patellar injury, and it also marked his first game with Dante Moore as Oregon’s starting quarterback. The connection between the two looked sharp against Boise State, with Stewart catching eight passes for 72 yards, an average of nine yards per reception.
It wasn’t a clean day across the board, though. Stewart also had a rough moment on special teams, including a muffed punt return. Even so, Moore didn’t sound concerned about where Stewart stands after one game back.
"There were some times when Stew got in his head because of some mistakes he had made,” Moore said. “But just knowing him, he’s going to bounce back.
He’s going to make sure that he goes out here next week attacking with a smile on his face. And the playmakers we have here are special.
I’m blessed to be here with them.”
Stewart’s NIL value is listed at No. 98 in On3’s college athlete rankings, with a projected valuation of $1.5 million. He’s one of five Oregon players in the top 100, joined by Moore at No. 4 with a $5 million valuation, EDGE Matayo Uiagalelei at No. 68 with $2 million, safety Koi Perich at No. 87 with $2 million, and defensive lineman Bear Alexander at No. 99 with $1.5 million.
That group doesn’t even include Johnson, Hill and Hooks, who are also taking advantage of their NIL opportunities.
Moore sits well ahead of the rest of the Ducks in valuation, with a lead of roughly $3 million over the next Oregon player. His $5 million mark puts him inside the top four nationally and makes him the No. 2 college football player on the list, behind only Miami quarterback Darian Mensah at $6.5 million.
In Other News...
Dante Moore Suddenly Has Oregon Fans Worried About A Bigger Problem
Dante Moore came into the season carrying plenty of attention after choosing to return to Oregon rather than head to the NFL Draft, and his opener at least offered some early reassurance. But the first half against Oklahoma State was a different kind of test, the sort that can quickly shift the conversation around a quarterback expected to steady the Ducks in a big spot. NFL scouts were on hand to watch him closely, and the performance did not help quiet the scrutiny.
Moore completed just 5 of 15 passes for 45 yards and took two sacks before halftime, missing several key throws and never quite finding the kind of rhythm Oregon needed. The Ducks also had bigger issues than just the passing game, with the defense struggling to contain Oklahoma State as Oregon went to the break down 10 points. For a team that entered the night with postseason ambitions and a quarterback under the microscope, the first-half concern was less about one bad stretch than the possibility of a larger problem unfolding. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon Suddenly Has Injury Concerns In The Spots It Can Least Afford
Dan Lannings postgame injury update came with a little more concern than Oregon would like this early in the season, especially after a loss that already leaves plenty for the Ducks to sort through. Tight end Jamari Johnson, who was hurt in the previous game and missed practice this week, does not appear headed for a long-term absence, but the deeper issue is the line of players who were forced out against Oklahoma State and the roles they occupy.
Offensive lineman Douglas Utu and his replacement Trent Ferguson both left the game with injuries, which is the kind of development Oregon can least afford along the front. Running back Jordon Davisons status is still unclear, and while defensive tackle A'Mauri Washington was able to return for situational snaps after briefly exiting, the Ducks are suddenly waiting on several key answers at once as they try to rebound from the setback. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon Has A Bigger Problem Than The Halftime Score Against Oklahoma State
At halftime against Oklahoma State, Oregon was still hanging around on the scoreboard, but the first 30 minutes told a far less comforting story. The Ducks trailed 24-17, and the bigger issue was how thoroughly they were being controlled on both sides of the ball, with Oklahoma State piling up yardage while Oregon leaned on a couple of deflected passes to stay within striking distance.
Dante Moore has not been able to settle the offense, completing 5 of 15 passes for 45 yards without a touchdown, and the passing game has been hampered by drops as much as accuracy. The ground attack has not offered much relief either, leaving Oregon with a lot to clean up if it wants to avoid letting a shaky half turn into something much worse. [Read more 🡒]