Oregon Football’s Wild Week: Dante Moore Returns, Coordinators Depart, and the Ducks Reload for Another CFP Run
It’s been a rollercoaster stretch for Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks - one that started with a thud in Atlanta and quickly turned into a full-blown roster reshuffle. After a season-ending 56-22 loss to Indiana in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Peach Bowl, the Ducks found themselves at a crossroads. But in typical Lanning fashion, the program didn’t sit still - it got to work.
Let’s break down the whirlwind week in Eugene and what it means for a team eyeing a third straight trip to the CFP.
Dante Moore Is Back - And That Changes Everything
The biggest headline of the week? Quarterback Dante Moore is returning for his junior season.
That’s massive. Moore had been projected as a top-five pick in April’s NFL Draft, and his decision to stay gives Oregon a proven leader under center - one who’s already taken the Ducks to back-to-back playoff appearances.
Moore’s return doesn’t just stabilize the offense - it elevates expectations. With him at the helm, Oregon immediately re-enters the national title conversation for 2026.
He’s the kind of quarterback who can mask roster turnover, elevate young talent, and win you games in crunch time. Simply put: the Ducks are in the hunt as long as No. 3 is taking snaps.
Transfer Portal Chaos: 27 Out, 9 In
It wouldn’t be college football in 2026 without a tidal wave of portal movement. Oregon saw 27 players enter the transfer portal - including seven from the defensive line - and two more declare early for the NFL Draft. That kind of attrition would rattle most programs, but Oregon’s response was swift and aggressive.
Among the nine additions already locked in, two names jump off the page: former Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola and All-American safety Koi Perich from Minnesota. Raiola gives the Ducks a high-upside backup and future starter, while Perich steps into a major role in a secondary that lost some key pieces.
There’s still work to do - especially in the trenches - but the Ducks are clearly using the portal not just to plug holes, but to reload with top-tier talent.
Coaching Carousel: New Coordinators Take Over
The Ducks weren’t just hit with player movement - the coaching staff took a hit, too. Offensive coordinator Will Stein is off to Kentucky, while defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi landed the head job at Cal. That’s a lot of brainpower leaving the building.
But Oregon didn’t waste time naming replacements. Drew Mehringer, who had been co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach, will now run the offense. On the defensive side, co-defensive coordinator and DBs coach Chris Hampton is stepping into the lead role.
Both are internal promotions, which suggests continuity is the goal. That’s especially important with Moore returning - keeping the system familiar should help the offense stay sharp.
Still, there are gaps to fill. Stein also coached quarterbacks, and Lupoi handled linebackers.
Plus, assistant O-line coach Cutter Leftwich is joining Stein at Kentucky, so Lanning has some staff spots to address.
Depth Chart Outlook: Who’s Back, Who’s Gone
Despite the turnover, Oregon returns a strong core - especially on offense.
Key returners include:
- QB Dante Moore - The face of the program.
- **RBs Jordon Davison & Dierre Hill Jr. ** - A powerful one-two punch in the backfield.
- WRs Dakorien Moore, Jeremiah McClellan & Evan Stewart - A dynamic trio with speed and route-running polish.
- TE Jamari Johnson - A rising weapon in the passing game.
- C Iapani Laloulu - The anchor in the middle of the offensive line.
On defense, the Ducks bring back key playmakers like:
- DTs Bear Alexander & A’Mauri Washington
- OLBs Matayo Uiagalelei & Teitum Tuioti
- ILB Jerry Mixon
- **CB Brandon Finney Jr. **
- S Aaron Flowers
That’s a solid foundation, but there are some notable departures:
- TE Kenyon Sadiq, WR Malik Benson, RB Noah Whittington
- Three starting offensive linemen: Isaiah World, Emmanuel Pregnon, and Alex Harkey
- Defensive standouts like ILB Bryce Boettcher, S Dillon Thieneman, and DB Jadon Canady
- Special teams duo: K Atticus Sappington and P James Ferguson-Reynolds
Replacing that much experience - especially in the trenches - will be a priority heading into spring.
Transfer Portal Needs: Trench Help Tops the List
So far, Oregon has done well to address needs at quarterback, safety, tight end, wide receiver, and special teams. But the defensive line remains thin after the exodus of seven players. That’s a red flag, especially for a team that’s struggled to hold up against power-run teams in the postseason.
Offensive line depth is another concern. Losing three starters up front is never ideal, and while Oregon has recruited well, they’ll need at least one or two proven linemen via the portal to feel comfortable heading into fall camp.
Recruiting Class of 2026: Elite Talent Incoming
Oregon’s recruiting class is ranked No. 3 nationally in the 247Sports composite - and it’s easy to see why. The Ducks landed a handful of five-star prospects, including:
- Edge rusher Anthony Jones
- Offensive lineman Immanuel Iheanacho
- Tight end Kendre Harrison
- Wide receivers Jett Washington and Jalen Lott
That’s a group loaded with size, speed, and upside. Lanning and his staff continue to recruit at a championship level, and with Moore returning, these young stars will have time to develop without being thrown into the fire.
The Road Back to the CFP: What Lies Ahead
Despite going a combined 23-1 in the regular season over the last two years, Oregon has been outclassed in back-to-back playoff games - first by Ohio State in the 2025 Rose Bowl, then by Indiana in the Peach Bowl. The Ducks haven’t just lost those games - they’ve been blown out. That’s the hurdle now: turning CFP appearances into real championship contention.
Getting back won’t be easy. The 12-game regular season includes nonconference matchups against Portland State and Boise State at home, plus a tricky road trip to Oklahoma State.
The conference slate is no joke either. The Ducks host Michigan, Nebraska, Northwestern, UCLA, and Washington, while traveling to Ohio State, Illinois, Michigan State, and USC. That’s a gauntlet - especially with two trips to Big Ten bluebloods.
But with Moore under center, a top-five recruiting class, and a coaching staff that’s staying mostly intact, Oregon has the pieces to make another run. The question isn’t whether the Ducks are good enough to get back to the CFP - it’s whether they can finally break through once they get there.
This offseason will be about more than just replacing talent. It’s about evolving. If Oregon can clean up the issues that cost them in January, they’ll be right back in the thick of the title race come next fall.