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Everyone in the Oregon Ducks’ 2026 recruiting class is enrolled and ready to roll this summer and fall, competing for opportunities to see the field early in their college careers.
Dan Lanning proved last season that he isn’t afraid to throw a true freshman into the mix if a youngster proves he is ready to contribute right away. Brandon Finney Jr., Dierre Hill Jr. and Jordon Davison were among the biggest first-year contributors last season.
The Ducks are bringing in another talented class, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see more freshmen enter the mix for a program hoping to compete for a national championship. Given the new rules regarding eligibility, the coaching staff has even more incentive to get young players involved as soon as possible.
While the Ducks could mix in several freshmen this season, there are a few who could become starters or staples in the rotation at some point during the year. Let’s take a look at five freshmen who could have the biggest impact this fall.
One of the biggest standouts from the freshman class this spring was Tommy Tofi, who could take snaps at right tackle or kick inside to guard. The 6-foot-6, 330-pound blocker has Big Ten size and held his own this spring against a fierce defensive front that the Ducks have.
The Ducks have some spots to fill along the offensive line, replacing both tackles and a guard. Tofi will have to earn the role during fall camp, with several seasoned players currently ahead of him on the depth chart, but given that the leash might be short for those veterans, it’s hard not to see Tofi getting extensive playing time this season.
“It’s early, he’s been in college for a month, but it's clear he's gonna help us in some shape or form,” Oregon offensive line coach A’lique Terry said earlier this spring. “Like most times with linemen, you talk about strength and conditioning being a little bit of the issue. Can they catch up? He's physically ready.”
Oregon is set on the edges with Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti both returning for their final season in Eugene. Nasir Wyatt, a former five-star recruit, flashed as a speed rusher at point last year. Elijah Rushing has also been developing slowly and looks ready to contribute.
So, where does Tank Jones fit in? Truthfully, it’s hard to say at first glance. Jones has a great blend of power and speed, and he’s big enough to play on the edge or move inside. The goal this season might be to push to replace Uiagalelei or Tuioti next season, but Wyatt and Rushing are both in his path.
While that battle will continue this fall, it’s still hard to see a world where Jones isn’t an impact playmaker later in the season. We saw the staff draw up plays specifically for Wyatt to succeed last season, and there is no reason Jones couldn’t do the same. Jones, Wyatt and Rushing will all be worth keeping an eye on this fall as they battle for snaps.
Oregon has become something of a tight end factory in recent years, and Kendre Harrison appears to be next in line. While Jamari Johnson has command of the room this year, the five-star freshman from North Carolina will be duking it out with Andrew Olesh and Markus Dixon for the second spot on the depth chart.
Harrison doubles as a basketball star, but it appears his sole focus during his first year in Eugene is on the gridiron. That could be a smart decision to help him earn a big role in the offense right away. With his 6-foot-5 frame and fluidity after the catch, Harrison is a dream pass-catcher in Drew Mehringer’s offense.
Nobody in the room has any catches besides Johnson, so there isn’t a wealth of experience ahead of him. That makes the competition with Olesh and Dixon fairly even, and Harrison is the only one who was recruited and committed out of high school, even though the Ducks did pursue Olesh as well. The Ducks use three tight ends often, and it’s hard to look past Harrison’s size and athleticism. He’ll find a way on the field.
Perhaps the most interesting position battle during fall camp is at the nickel. Jadon Canady did a tremendous job holding that role last season and wound up as a fourth-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs. While the Ducks did add some veterans to the secondary this offseason and figure to have an open battle for the starting role this year, Davon Benjamin might have the best case to take it.
The true freshman is very similar to Canady, both in terms of size (5-foot-11, 185 pounds) and coverage instincts. He's extremely quick and plays well at the line, not afraid to put his hands on a receiver and play through the ball. Benjamin has experience playing the nickel often in high school. He's not super long as a defender, but his speed and smarts more than make up for it.
Baylor transfer Carl Williams IV and sophomore Na'eem Offord will both push for the job, but Benjamin is a ready talent with experience at the position. He's a great tackler as well, and that's incredibly valuable in the secondary against Big Ten offenses. Even if he doesn't start right away, keep an eye on Benjamin during the non-conference schedule to see how much the coaching staff turns him loose.
Like Tofi, Immanuel Iheanacho has incredible size (6-foot-6, 345 pounds) and can play inside or outside. The difference is that Iheanacho wasn’t with the program this spring, enrolling in the summer instead. That means he is less likely to win a starting job out of camp, but the five-star lineman could still force the coaching staff’s hand at some point.
The Ducks don’t play true freshmen along the offensive line often, but Iheanacho and Tofi might be good enough to buck the trend. Still, Iheanacho has something to prove this summer and during fall camp. For now, it's a game of "wait and see," and watching his high school tape, which inspires plenty of optimism that his NFL size can contribute on day one.
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: 5 freshmen who could impact the Oregon Ducks in 2026
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Dan Lanning proved last season that he isn’t afraid to throw a true freshman into the mix if a youngster proves he is ready to contribute right away. Brandon Finney Jr., Dierre Hill Jr. and Jordon Davison were among the biggest first-year contributors last season.
The Ducks are bringing in another talented class, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see more freshmen enter the mix for a program hoping to compete for a national championship. Given the new rules regarding eligibility, the coaching staff has even more incentive to get young players involved as soon as possible.
While the Ducks could mix in several freshmen this season, there are a few who could become starters or staples in the rotation at some point during the year. Let’s take a look at five freshmen who could have the biggest impact this fall.
OL Tommy Tofi
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One of the biggest standouts from the freshman class this spring was Tommy Tofi, who could take snaps at right tackle or kick inside to guard. The 6-foot-6, 330-pound blocker has Big Ten size and held his own this spring against a fierce defensive front that the Ducks have.
The Ducks have some spots to fill along the offensive line, replacing both tackles and a guard. Tofi will have to earn the role during fall camp, with several seasoned players currently ahead of him on the depth chart, but given that the leash might be short for those veterans, it’s hard not to see Tofi getting extensive playing time this season.
“It’s early, he’s been in college for a month, but it's clear he's gonna help us in some shape or form,” Oregon offensive line coach A’lique Terry said earlier this spring. “Like most times with linemen, you talk about strength and conditioning being a little bit of the issue. Can they catch up? He's physically ready.”
EDGE Tank Jones
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Oregon is set on the edges with Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti both returning for their final season in Eugene. Nasir Wyatt, a former five-star recruit, flashed as a speed rusher at point last year. Elijah Rushing has also been developing slowly and looks ready to contribute.
So, where does Tank Jones fit in? Truthfully, it’s hard to say at first glance. Jones has a great blend of power and speed, and he’s big enough to play on the edge or move inside. The goal this season might be to push to replace Uiagalelei or Tuioti next season, but Wyatt and Rushing are both in his path.
While that battle will continue this fall, it’s still hard to see a world where Jones isn’t an impact playmaker later in the season. We saw the staff draw up plays specifically for Wyatt to succeed last season, and there is no reason Jones couldn’t do the same. Jones, Wyatt and Rushing will all be worth keeping an eye on this fall as they battle for snaps.
TE Kendre Harrison
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Oregon has become something of a tight end factory in recent years, and Kendre Harrison appears to be next in line. While Jamari Johnson has command of the room this year, the five-star freshman from North Carolina will be duking it out with Andrew Olesh and Markus Dixon for the second spot on the depth chart.
Harrison doubles as a basketball star, but it appears his sole focus during his first year in Eugene is on the gridiron. That could be a smart decision to help him earn a big role in the offense right away. With his 6-foot-5 frame and fluidity after the catch, Harrison is a dream pass-catcher in Drew Mehringer’s offense.
Nobody in the room has any catches besides Johnson, so there isn’t a wealth of experience ahead of him. That makes the competition with Olesh and Dixon fairly even, and Harrison is the only one who was recruited and committed out of high school, even though the Ducks did pursue Olesh as well. The Ducks use three tight ends often, and it’s hard to look past Harrison’s size and athleticism. He’ll find a way on the field.
DB Davon Benjamin
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Perhaps the most interesting position battle during fall camp is at the nickel. Jadon Canady did a tremendous job holding that role last season and wound up as a fourth-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs. While the Ducks did add some veterans to the secondary this offseason and figure to have an open battle for the starting role this year, Davon Benjamin might have the best case to take it.
The true freshman is very similar to Canady, both in terms of size (5-foot-11, 185 pounds) and coverage instincts. He's extremely quick and plays well at the line, not afraid to put his hands on a receiver and play through the ball. Benjamin has experience playing the nickel often in high school. He's not super long as a defender, but his speed and smarts more than make up for it.
Baylor transfer Carl Williams IV and sophomore Na'eem Offord will both push for the job, but Benjamin is a ready talent with experience at the position. He's a great tackler as well, and that's incredibly valuable in the secondary against Big Ten offenses. Even if he doesn't start right away, keep an eye on Benjamin during the non-conference schedule to see how much the coaching staff turns him loose.
OL Immanuel Iheanacho
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Like Tofi, Immanuel Iheanacho has incredible size (6-foot-6, 345 pounds) and can play inside or outside. The difference is that Iheanacho wasn’t with the program this spring, enrolling in the summer instead. That means he is less likely to win a starting job out of camp, but the five-star lineman could still force the coaching staff’s hand at some point.
The Ducks don’t play true freshmen along the offensive line often, but Iheanacho and Tofi might be good enough to buck the trend. Still, Iheanacho has something to prove this summer and during fall camp. For now, it's a game of "wait and see," and watching his high school tape, which inspires plenty of optimism that his NFL size can contribute on day one.
Honorable Mentions
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- WR Jalen Lott
- WR Gatlin Bair
- WR Messiah Hampton
- S Jett Washington
- S Devin Jackson
- RB Tradarian Ball
- RB Brandon Smith
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: 5 freshmen who could impact the Oregon Ducks in 2026
Continue reading...
