Oregon Freshman Zac Stascausky Quietly Becomes Key Piece in Breakout Class

After a quiet first year, highly-touted offensive tackle Zac Stascausky enters 2026 poised to compete for a starting role on an evolving Oregon line.

Oregon Ducks Redshirt Spotlight: Zac Stascausky Could Be a Name to Know in 2026

Oregon’s 2025 recruiting class wasn’t just highly ranked - it made an immediate impact. Seven true freshmen burned their redshirts and saw real playing time, with several carving out starting roles.

But behind that headline group is another tier of young talent - guys who didn’t see the field much, if at all, but could play key roles in the Ducks’ future. One of those names to watch?

Offensive tackle Zac Stascausky.

Let’s break down where he stands heading into the 2026 season.

The Recruiting Profile

Stascausky came to Eugene as a four-star prospect, ranked No. 154 nationally by 247Sports and the No. 18 offensive tackle in his class. A product of Central Catholic, he brought with him the kind of size and athletic profile that offensive line coaches love to mold. He only saw the field in one game last season, preserving his redshirt, but the tools are there - and Oregon’s depth chart at tackle could open the door for him sooner rather than later.

What Stascausky Brings to the Table

Physically, Stascausky checks a lot of the boxes. He’s 6-foot-6 with long arms and quick feet - the kind of frame and movement skills that project well at tackle, especially on the right side, where he logged his lone snap action in 2025. He plays with a bit of a mean streak too, finishing blocks and playing through the whistle - traits that can’t be taught and are often what separate good linemen from great ones.

There’s a natural comparison to former Duck Alex Harkey in terms of playing style. Like Harkey, Stascausky plays with an edge, and that’s something Oregon’s coaching staff has clearly valued in recent years.

What Needs Work

The biggest hurdle for Stascausky right now is size and strength. He was listed at 285 pounds last season, which is light by Power Five standards - especially for a tackle expected to hold his own against top-tier defensive linemen. To become a reliable every-down player, he’ll need to bulk up to at least the 300-pound range, and more importantly, convert that weight into functional strength.

As a high schooler, he occasionally struggled to move defenders in the run game - a sign that raw power wasn’t quite there yet. But the good news?

By the end of last season, there were signs that he was already trending in the right direction. If he continues to develop physically this offseason, that gap could close quickly.

The 2026 Outlook

Tackle is one of Oregon’s biggest question marks heading into spring ball. With both starters off to the NFL, the Ducks are entering a full-blown youth movement up front. That means opportunity - and competition.

Stascausky will be in the mix at right tackle, where Harkey started last season. But he’s not the only name in that conversation.

Gernorris Wilson was Harkey’s primary backup in 2025 and even earned a start, giving him a leg up in terms of experience. And don’t overlook incoming freshmen Immanuel Iheanacho and Tommy Tofi - both are talented enough to push for early reps.

Right now, Stascausky isn’t penciled into the two-deep. But that can change in a hurry. If he has a strong offseason in the weight room and shows out in spring and fall camp, he could be right in the thick of the battle for a starting job.

Final Word

Stascausky is a classic development prospect - high ceiling, raw tools, and a frame that coaches love to build around. The Ducks don’t need him to be ready yesterday, but with both tackle spots up for grabs, the door is open. If he can add the necessary weight and continue refining his game, don’t be surprised if he’s making noise in Eugene sooner rather than later.