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The Oregon Ducks had another successful draft cycle, sending seven former players to the next level as selections in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Still, some of the Ducks' most valuable players last season didn't wind up being picked. Most notably, tailback Noah Whittington signed a deal with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent, and left tackle Isaiah World signed a deal with the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner sees World as a huge pickup for the AFC West contender, and one that coach Jim Harbaugh and his staff could turn into another depth piece along a rebuilt offensive line.
"World (6-5, 323, with 34 1/2-inch arms) has the traits of a top-100 player," Baumgardner wrote. "And he delivers a bunch of explosion out of his stance. He played four years at Nevada before one in the Big Ten. His technique is erratic, but if anyone can spin a project like World into gold, it’s Jim Harbaugh (and new offensive line coach Butch Barry)."
When World decided to transfer to Eugene for his final collegiate season, his large frame made him a projected first-round selection before the season began. On the left side of the Oregon offensive line, World was a key piece in helping the Ducks become a top 20 rushing offense while keeping Dante Moore clean in the passing game. He allowed one sack and 18 pressures in pass protection.
However, World did get beaten by some of the better pass rushers in the Big Ten, particularly against Indiana, and his lack of an anchor as a pass blocker was exposed down the stretch. World suffered an ACL injury in the Peach Bowl against the Hoosiers, and his draft stock fell as a result.
The Chargers struggled to protect former Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert last season. He took 54 sacks, the second-most in the NFL in 2025. He will get his Pro Bowl offensive tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt back this season after they both missed all or most of the season due to injury. The Chargers also added some depth by using four of their eight selections on offensive linemen, including Oregon right tackle Alex Harkey in the seventh round.
There will be some stiff competition for World to overcome, but the Chargers sure seemed excited to land the former Oregon star. World may not be active for the 2026 season as he recovers from his injury, but Harbaugh was ecstatic when he learned that the Chargers were able to sign him.
The road to the NFL was long for World, starting at Nevada, but the hope is that he can develop during his rookie season and become a depth option along the offensive line in the future for the Chargers, potentially working alongside Harkey again.
Oregon has become something of a pipeline for the Chargers in recent offseasons. World is the latest former Duck to join the Bolts in Los Angeles, following Herbert and Harkey, as well as linebacker Troy Dye, defensive tackle Jamaree Caldwell and cornerback Nikko Reed, who was an undrafted free agent last offseason and made an impact during the season.
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: Undrafted Oregon OT Isaiah World a candidate to crack Chargers roster
Continue reading...
Still, some of the Ducks' most valuable players last season didn't wind up being picked. Most notably, tailback Noah Whittington signed a deal with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent, and left tackle Isaiah World signed a deal with the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner sees World as a huge pickup for the AFC West contender, and one that coach Jim Harbaugh and his staff could turn into another depth piece along a rebuilt offensive line.
"World (6-5, 323, with 34 1/2-inch arms) has the traits of a top-100 player," Baumgardner wrote. "And he delivers a bunch of explosion out of his stance. He played four years at Nevada before one in the Big Ten. His technique is erratic, but if anyone can spin a project like World into gold, it’s Jim Harbaugh (and new offensive line coach Butch Barry)."
When World decided to transfer to Eugene for his final collegiate season, his large frame made him a projected first-round selection before the season began. On the left side of the Oregon offensive line, World was a key piece in helping the Ducks become a top 20 rushing offense while keeping Dante Moore clean in the passing game. He allowed one sack and 18 pressures in pass protection.
However, World did get beaten by some of the better pass rushers in the Big Ten, particularly against Indiana, and his lack of an anchor as a pass blocker was exposed down the stretch. World suffered an ACL injury in the Peach Bowl against the Hoosiers, and his draft stock fell as a result.
The Chargers struggled to protect former Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert last season. He took 54 sacks, the second-most in the NFL in 2025. He will get his Pro Bowl offensive tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt back this season after they both missed all or most of the season due to injury. The Chargers also added some depth by using four of their eight selections on offensive linemen, including Oregon right tackle Alex Harkey in the seventh round.
There will be some stiff competition for World to overcome, but the Chargers sure seemed excited to land the former Oregon star. World may not be active for the 2026 season as he recovers from his injury, but Harbaugh was ecstatic when he learned that the Chargers were able to sign him.
The road to the NFL was long for World, starting at Nevada, but the hope is that he can develop during his rookie season and become a depth option along the offensive line in the future for the Chargers, potentially working alongside Harkey again.
Oregon has become something of a pipeline for the Chargers in recent offseasons. World is the latest former Duck to join the Bolts in Los Angeles, following Herbert and Harkey, as well as linebacker Troy Dye, defensive tackle Jamaree Caldwell and cornerback Nikko Reed, who was an undrafted free agent last offseason and made an impact during the season.
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: Undrafted Oregon OT Isaiah World a candidate to crack Chargers roster
Continue reading...
