The Oregon Ducks continue to build out their 2026 recruiting class, and while the headlines often focus on the scholarship signees, the Ducks are quietly assembling a strong group of preferred walk-ons (PWOs) - and there’s real value in that. This week, Oregon added four more in-state players to that group, each bringing unique skill sets and upside to the program.
Let’s start with the Monday duo out of Portland’s Central Catholic - safety Cole Thomas and edge rusher Hudson Coe. These two were teammates in high school and now get to continue that bond in Eugene.
Thomas, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound defensive back, is a versatile athlete who did it all for Central Catholic. He played safety, quarterback, and made a real impact on special teams as a returner.
He had offers from Portland State and Pennsylvania, plus a PWO opportunity at Eastern Washington, but chose Oregon. That’s a win for the Ducks - Thomas brings instincts, athleticism, and a high football IQ, which could translate to multiple roles down the line.
Coe, meanwhile, checks in at 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds and projects as an outside linebacker or edge defender. He picked Oregon over scholarship offers from Central Washington, Colgate, Marist, and Portland State. He’s got the frame and motor to develop into a contributor on the edge, and getting him in the system now gives the Ducks time to refine his game.
The Ducks didn’t stop there. On Tuesday, they added two more in-state talents: Tualatin tight end Cole Newton and Eugene Willamette offensive lineman Aiden Lewey.
Newton is an intriguing prospect at 6-foot-5, 215 pounds. He had a productive senior season, snagging seven touchdown receptions and flashing the kind of pass-catching ability that could make him a weapon in Oregon’s offense.
He had an offer from Central Washington and a PWO from Oregon State, but ultimately chose the Ducks. With his size and hands, Newton is the kind of developmental tight end you like to have in the pipeline.
Lewey, on the other hand, brings size and strength to the interior offensive line. At 6-foot-4 and 280 pounds, he was a key piece on a 10-1 Willamette team and lined up next to Oregon four-star defensive line commit Tony Cumberland.
Lewey held offers from Central Washington, Portland State, and Linfield College. His physicality and experience playing against top competition in Oregon make him a solid addition to the trenches.
These four join an already growing list of PWOs that includes three-star athlete Braxton Singleton from North Salem, defensive lineman Abraham Zhyryada from Nelson High School in Happy Valley, and Tevita Paongo, a defensive lineman from James Campbell High School in Ewa Beach, Hawaii.
Singleton is especially notable - he holds an 85 rating and turned down offers from Boise State, Nevada, and Portland State to walk on at Oregon. He’s expected to play defensive back, and with his athletic profile, he’s got the tools to make a real push for playing time in the coming years.
All told, the Ducks now have seven preferred walk-on commitments and 29 true freshmen slated to join the 2026 roster. It’s a deep class, and while the scholarship players will grab the spotlight, don’t sleep on the PWOs. Oregon has a history of turning walk-ons into contributors, and this group has the kind of talent and upside that could keep that tradition alive.