Oregon’s championship push is being built from the inside out, and the latest evidence came from a squat rack.
A video that surfaced yesterday showed defensive tackles A’Mauri Washington and Bear Alexander powering through 855 pounds in the squat. Washington got two reps at the weight with room to spare, looking fresh enough to try a third. Alexander was right there with him, and his reaction said plenty: “Natty run loading,” Bear Alexander commented.
That kind of raw force is exactly what Oregon wants to lean on in 2026. With the new practice facility rising over Rich Brooks Field, the Ducks are trying to build the kind of trench presence that can carry a national title run. Big Dave Uiagalelei put it bluntly in his post about the clip: “Brother both Bear and A’Mauri hit 855lbs 🤦🏻🤦🏻🤦🏻
I’m telling yall, this offseason for Oregon squad is different, it’s like everyone knows what’s at stake, a certain expectation is demanded and the team is holding eachother accountable making sure they maximize everything they… pic.twitter.com/YX0OSbCmln”
That offseason mindset has become part of the story in Eugene. Players are chasing personal bests, cleaner body composition, and a sharper standard across the board. The message is simple: do the work, and do it at a higher level.
Edge rushing coach Kam Araghi laid out that mentality on the “Autzen Audibles” podcast with Erik Skopil. His group is focused on creating more havoc - sacks, turnovers, batted balls, all of it.
“The ball is everything,” Araghi said. “The ball is oxygen.
So we're trying to get after the ball as much as humanly possible.”
That emphasis matters because Oregon was good at pressure last season, but not good enough at finishing. The Ducks ended up seventh in the Big Ten with 30 sacks. Araghi, now a full position coach, wants more plays closed out instead of just disrupted.
The numbers show there’s room to climb. According to sportsreference.com, Oregon had 40 sacks in 2024 and 42 in 2011.
Nick Reed and Ernest Jones share the program’s single-season record with 13, while Reed’s 29.5 sacks across four years still stand as the all-time mark. Last season, Teitum Tuioti led the defense with 9.5 sacks.
Matayo Uiagalelei posted 10.5 in 2024, tops in the Big Ten during the regular season, and his career total sits at 18.5. He needs 11 more to match Reed.
Washington’s role inside is a big part of how that next step happens. When he collapses the pocket, quarterbacks lose the ability to step up or escape, and that’s when the rest of the pass rush can cash in.
The same trench-building is happening on offense, where Tommy Tofi and Immanuel Iheanacho are putting in work on footwork and moves. The two 6-6, 340-pound freshmen, both former basketball players, bring size, technique and strength to the line in front of Dante Moore.
National observers have raised questions about Oregon’s offensive line, but those two freshmen give the picture a different shape. They’ll also spend fall camp going against four pro prospects on the defensive line every day, which should sharpen them fast.
That matters because Oregon’s protection has already been elite. In both 2023 and 2024, A’lique Terry’s group allowed just five sacks each season. If the Ducks are going to turn all this offseason work into something bigger, it starts with keeping the quarterback clean and making life miserable for the other team in the trenches.
In Other News...
Oregon May Have A New Receiver Problem In The Best Way
Iverson Hooks arrives in Eugene with the kind of rsum that makes a transfer worth watching. After a strong season at UAB, the redshirt-senior put together 72 catches for 927 yards and seven touchdowns, production that helped him earn an 82.3 PFF grade and a spot near the top of the returning receiver conversation in the Big Ten.
For Oregon, the interesting part is not whether Hooks can play, but how quickly he fits into a room that already has plenty of options. He is entering his final season of eligibility and joins a group that includes Evan Stewart, Jeremiah McClellan and Dakorien Moore, which gives the Ducks a good problem to sort through as camp unfolds and roles start to take shape. [Read more 🡒]
Oregons New Indoor Facility Is Starting To Look Like Something Different
The new indoor training facility rising beside the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex is already starting to feel like more than just another addition to Oregons football footprint. At 170,000 square feet, the building known as 2.MO is taking shape with a curved timber roof, solar panels and a design that leans hard into the Ducks identity while also tying in sustainability features and a modern look for the programs next phase.
Just as important for the day-to-day life around Autzen Stadium, the project is reshaping the area around it with rerouted parkways, added parking and other site changes that will affect how players, staff and fans move through the complex. Inside, the plan is built around athlete use, with a rooftop lounge, a classroom off the field and other football-centric amenities, but the bigger question now is how quickly the rest of the structure comes together as the exterior keeps revealing more of what Oregon has in mind. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon Is Suddenly Facing A Huge Decision With Elite Edge Target
Oregons recruiting board is about to get a major test with Darieon Prescott, one of the top edge rushers in the 2028 class, set to make his college choice on July 27. The four-star prospect has narrowed things to Oregon, Notre Dame and Texas A&M, and his announcement will come during a live ESPN commitment show, giving the Ducks a clear sense of where they stand in the chase for one of the cycles most coveted defenders.
For Oregon, the timing matters as much as the talent. Prescott has flashed the kind of disruptive production that makes him a priority target, and even getting to the final three says plenty about how seriously the Ducks are being considered. The only question now is whether Oregon can finish strong in a race that has stayed tight all the way to the end. [Read more 🡒]