Oregon’s running back room already looks loaded, but freshman Brandon Smith is giving the Ducks another name to watch as fall camp rolls on.
The No. 2 Ducks head into the 2026 season with Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr. back in the fold, and Smith has been turning heads enough in camp to draw praise from one of Oregon’s defensive leaders. Veteran linebacker Devon Jackson said Smith has earned respect inside the program, even while the defense has had to deal with him.
“B. Smith, that’s my dog, bro.
But I gotta mess with him on a daily basis. I think the hardest part for freshmen sometimes is confidence and just trying to lock in.
So I just gotta mess with him sometimes. But that’s my dog.”
Jackson didn’t stop there. He also described one especially loud day for the freshman back.
“I ain’t gonna lie, he toting it yesterday. He scored like three times, had what felt like 300 yards.
He freaking embarrassed us yesterday. But he’s a really good player, and that’s somebody that puts his head down and works.
He’s gonna be a good player for us, for sure.”
Smith arrives in Eugene as the No. 17 overall running back in the 2026 class, according to 247Sports, and he’s one of two freshman backs from Oregon’s 2026 recruiting class set to debut this season. His path to Oregon wasn’t straightforward, either.
Smith was originally committed to Arizona before flipping to the Ducks on Jan. 19.
So far, that move looks like a win for both sides. Smith has flashed enough in camp to suggest he could become part of Oregon’s future rushing attack, even if the immediate depth chart is crowded.
That crowd starts with Davison and Hill, who are back as the primary backs after finishing 2025 as Oregon’s No. 2 and No. 3 rushers behind Noah Whittington. Together, Davison and Hill piled up 1,323 yards and 20 touchdowns last season.
Oregon also has more young depth in the room. Tradarian Ball brings freshman upside of his own, and Da’Jaun “Dink” Riggs is back after getting healthy and looking to make his mark this year.
For Smith, the next checkpoint comes quickly. Oregon opens the season Sept. 5 at Autzen Stadium against Boise State. DraftKings Sportsbook lists the Ducks as 24.5-point favorites, and the real question may be whether Smith gets a chance to see the field if Oregon is sitting on a big fourth-quarter lead.
Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. PT, and the game will air on CBS.
In Other News...
Oregon Suddenly Has A New Concern With A Key Defender
Oregons preseason work brought a small but notable concern into focus when the programs social media account posted photos of EDGE/LB Nasir Wyatt practicing with a club on his right hand. The images immediately stood out because Wyatt is viewed as one of the Ducks key defensive pieces heading into the season, the kind of player Oregon wants available and sharp as it continues to sort out its defense.
Wyatt was still on the field, which is the encouraging part for Oregon, and it suggests the issue may not be serious enough to keep him out of action for long. Even so, any hand injury involving a defender whose value comes from playing with force and disruption bears watching, especially at this point in camp when the Ducks are trying to build toward the opener with as few unknowns as possible. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon Camp Just Raised The Stakes For Boise State And Evan Stewart
Oregons second day of fall practice brought more than just another morning session on the calendar. Defensive coordinator Chris Hampton made it clear the Ducks are treating the season opener like a real game week, saying the defense wont be holding anything back against Boise State. For a team that has spent camp building routines and sharpening timing, the message suggests Oregon is already leaning into the urgency of Week 1 rather than easing into the season.
On the other side of that buildup is Evan Stewart, whose return from injury has become one of the more compelling storylines in camp. Safety Koi Perich, who has been bonding with teammates through a golf simulator in his garage, spoke highly of Stewart while noting the receiver is expected to play his first game in more than 600 days. For Oregon, that adds another layer to an opener that already feels bigger than a typical early-season matchup, even before the Ducks take the field. [Read more 🡒]
Dakorien Moore Is Forcing A Big Oregon Receiver Question
Dakorien Moore has already given Oregon a glimpse of why he arrived with so much buzz, and it has come even while he has been working through injuries. The freshman wide receiver has flashed enough in camp to keep the conversation around him moving, including a standout one-handed grab that served as a reminder of just how naturally explosive he can be.
For the Ducks, the bigger question is not whether Moore belongs in the mix, but how quickly he can push his way toward the front of a crowded receiver room. Oregon has plenty of talent at the position, yet Moores early promise suggests he could become more than just another young option if his health and development keep trending the right way. [Read more 🡒]