The last five games may not change the shape of Oregon’s season, but they could go a long way toward answering a bigger question for Dan Lanning’s program: who is ready to be part of the solution in 2027?
With the Ducks sitting at 4-3, offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer already gone and quarterback Dante Moore out for the season, the finish line has become less about salvaging the present and more about sorting out the future. Oregon will once again be active in the Transfer Portal, but the staff also has a handful of freshmen who can make a real case for bigger roles by the time this stretch ends.
Jalen Lott is at the top of that list. The 5-star wide receiver had Oregon fans waiting for a long time after a preseason injury kept him on the sideline and in surgery recovery.
He finally got back on the field for the UCLA and Nebraska games, then missed the Illinois game. If the Ducks end up shopping for more receiving help this offseason, they need to know exactly what Lott can bring to the offense.
Kendre' Harrison is another name worth watching closely. The tight end room has been a strength under Mehringer, so his departure raises questions even though Oregon still has depth behind Jamari Johnson, who is likely headed to the NFL Draft.
Harrison, a 5-star freshman, showed flashes against Portland State but has been quiet since. Oregon would love to see him step forward now and prove he can be the starter next season.
Messiah Hampton has already forced his way into the conversation. The freshman receiver emerged as the surprise breakout of the season, taking on a bigger role after Jeremiah McClellan’s injury.
He missed the Illinois game, but he appears set to be back in the mix for Northwestern. The more Hampton plays, the more the staff can judge whether he can develop into a true WR2 alongside Dakorien Moore next year.
On the offensive line, Tommy Tofi is making his case through opportunity. One of the offseason standouts, he did not crack the starting group to open the year.
Recently, though, his reps have climbed and he has moved into the lineup. Oregon’s offensive line has had its problems this season, and getting Tofi meaningful experience now could help set the table for 2027.
The Ducks also have Immanuel Iheanacho waiting for a chance. Oregon signed him as the No. 2 offensive tackle in the country, but he has not seen much playing time, partly because he arrived late.
Fox Crader and Gernorris Wilson have handled the tackle spots, but there is still room for competition. The coaching staff may decide not to lean as heavily on returning linemen as it did in the last transfer cycle, and getting a better read on Iheanacho would help determine whether he can be penciled in as a starter.
In Other News...
Oregon's Offense Just Got Needed Help As Bigger Absences Loom
The offense got a welcome lift this week with three wide receivers who sat out against Illinois now expected back for the trip to Northwestern. Evan Stewart, Jalen Lott and Messiah Hampton all give Oregon more options on the perimeter at a time when the Ducks have needed them, especially with Jeremiah McClellan still sidelined by a foot injury.
The bigger concern is how much longer the list of absences can grow. Dante Moore is not expected to return this season after suffering a concussion, and the offensive line is still dealing with its own hit as Dave Iuli and Matthew Johnson remain out indefinitely following surgeries. Freshman Immanuel Iheanacho is questionable, though he is expected to be available, leaving Oregon with some pieces coming back even as the overall picture remains unsettled. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon May Finally Be Getting Needed Offensive Help Back
Oregon has spent a good chunk of this season trying to survive injuries that have thinned the offense and forced the Ducks to keep adjusting on the fly. Dante Moores season-ending injury was the biggest blow, and the absences of Dave Iuli and Matthew Johnson only added to the strain, leaving the staff with less margin for error as the schedule moved on.
Now there is at least some encouraging movement on the perimeter, with Evan Stewart, Jalen Lott and Messiah Hampton all back in practice according to recent availability reports. That does not solve every issue, but it does give Oregon a chance to restore some depth before facing Northwestern, where the Ducks will also have to account for tight end Luke Dehnicke being listed as probable after missing several games. [Read more 🡒]
Oregons New-Look Offense Faces A Huge Test Against Northwestern
A new face is in charge of Oregons offense heading into this matchup with Northwestern, and the timing makes the test even more intriguing. The Ducks have moved on from offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer, leaving a fresh-look unit to sort out its rhythm against a Wildcats defense that has been built to make quarterbacks uncomfortable and force offenses into long drives.
Northwesterns base 4-2-5 is anchored by an aggressive front seven and a secondary that can hold its own, with safety Robert Fitzgerald, linebacker Braydon Brus and cornerback Ore Adeyi giving the back end some real presence. For Dylan Raiola and Oregon, the challenge is finding the soft spots before that pressure tightens the game up, especially against a defense that has a clear identity and plenty of confidence in it. [Read more 🡒]