Oregon football roundtable predictions for Ducks 2026 spring game

Don Smalley: I don't think it will be drastically different since Chris Hampton and Drew Mehringer were on the staff last season. Of course, they'll throw in their own wrinkles into some things. I wouldn't expect a complete overhaul on either side of the ball. Why mess with something that has proven to work? I also think having Dante Moore back as quarterback is a reason not to change much on offense. There's no reason to come up with a new playbook with an experienced QB back there who could be a Heisman candidate.

Bjorn Bergstrom: Not with such a small sample size. And it’s hard to say that either side will be drastically different this fall, but I think over the course of the whole season, we’ll be able to see the different wrinkles that Mehringer and Hampton bring to the table.

Logan Brown: Not really. Drew Mehringer and Chris Hampton were both greatly involved on their side of the ball when Will Stein and Tosh Lupoi were running the show, and it wouldn’t make a ton of sense to revolutionize the system with the amount of returning players. I do think Oregon plays less man coverage this year and plays inside leverage in the secondary, with Koi Perich more often playing deep rather than a rover role like Dillon Thieneman did.

Established Vets

Oregon Ducks wide receiver Evan Stewart celebrates a long reception as the No. 3 Oregon Ducks host the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore.

Question: It’s sometimes hard to predict who is going to look good in a spring game, because you don’t always know how much the veterans or returning starters are going to play. With that being said, who is one upperclassman that you expect to have a big day?

Zachary Neel: My eyes are on Evan Stewart, for sure. He fits the mold perfectly as far as being an established playmaker, but also having a lot to prove coming into this year after missing the 2025 season because of injury. I could see a world where he has a big game on Saturday.

Don Smalley: It would be nice to see Evan Stewart come out and have a big day and prove he's completely healthy. I'm also curious to see what Dylan Raiola looks like in an Oregon uniform.

Bjorn Bergstrom: Late in the season, it seemed like every time that Jamari Johnson was on the field, he impressed. Even with the Ducks’ talented defense, there’s not a viable man-to-man matchup that can shut him down, so I expect him to see plenty of targets.

Logan Brown: I think the obvious answer here is Evan Stewart making his return, but I’m really excited to see Elijah Rushing get some run in the spring game. After mostly sitting on the sidelines in his first two seasons, I think he is firmly in the rotation, both on the edge and with some potential for snaps in the interior. If Nasir Wyatt is the Ducks’ speed rusher, Rushing is the power and the bulldozer.

The Breakout Young Guy

Oregon Ducks true freshman TE Kendre Harrison at Saturday Night Live Camp

Question: On a similar note, who are you expecting to have a breakout performance on Saturday, much like Dillon Gresham did a year ago?

Zachary Neel: My head says Kendre Harrison, but my heart says Tradarian Ball. I think both end up having impressive showings, but ultimately, I think Harrison is the one that we leave the game talking about the most.

Don Smalley: I think tight end Kendre Harrison has a chance to be the next star tight end at Oregon. He has a chance to make a nice splash onto the scene on Saturday.

Bjorn Bergstrom: Everything about Nasir Wyatt screams breakout in 2026, and while he won’t be able to go full-bore on the quarterbacks during the spring game, I think he’ll find himself in the backfield plenty as he becomes a more every-down player.

Logan Brown: Messiah Hampton is very intriguing. Although he may not get on the field a ton as a freshman in a loaded receiver room, Hampton is very technical, and I could see him making some big plays downfield on passes from Dylan Raiola or Akili Smith Jr. He has good enough speed and the ability to separate at all three levels and become an easy target. I would be surprised if we don’t see him make a big play in the spring game.

Elite Position Group

Oregon defensive back Ify Obidegwu, left, defensive back Brandon Finney Jr. and inside linebacker Jerry Mixon celebrate an interception by Finney as the Oregon Ducks take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.

Question: Is there a certain position group that you are going to be keeping a close eye on to see how they perform on Saturday?

Zachary Neel: I'm focused on the secondary here, and in particular, the secondary for the Fighting Ducks. Brandon Finney, Ify Obidegwu, Koi Perich, Trey McNutt, and Davon Benjamin are all going to be in white for this game. That would be among the best secondaries in the nation as a starting unit this fall, so I think it could really impress on Saturday.

Don Smalley: Both the offensive line and the defensive line. How far the Ducks go in 2026 could depend on how well those units play. The O-line is going to have to gel fairly quickly, and the D-line could be one of the best in the country.

Bjorn Bergstrom: The linebackers beyond Jerry Mixon. There’s not a set-in-stone player that he’ll have next to him, so I’m interested to see who begins to separate and puts themselves in position to start this season.

Logan Brown: The Ducks typically have three or four running backs that they rotate throughout a season. Dierre Hill Jr. and Jordon Davison are the clear duo leading the backfield, but the depth behind them is still largely unknown. Simeon Price and Da’Juan Riggs are the veterans of the bunch, but neither has a ton of reps in games recently. Tradarian Ball is interesting, and he could be a receiving back for the Ducks right away. Brandon Smith gets lost in the shuffle sometimes, but I think he might surprise some people. Very patient as a runner with tremendous speed, and he’s a willing blocker. If he adds some weight, look out.

Who Wins The Day?

EUGENE, OREGON - NOVEMBER 22: A general interview of Autzen Stadium during the second half of a game between the Oregon Ducks and the Southern California Trojans at Autzen Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images)

Question: Who do you think “wins the day” for the Ducks? Who is the guy that everyone is talking about after the fact?

Zachary Neel: Honestly, I think I'd go with Dylan Raiola. He's an established player from his time at Nebraska, but he also has a lot to prove this year, coming into a new offense, and also after an injury. Unlike Dante Moore, I think he plays for a majority of the game and puts up some numbers.

Don Smalley: I just keep coming up with Evan Stewart. Having him dominate just sets up everyone else in the passing game. Defenses won't be able to key in on just one or two guys. Players like Dakorien Moore or Jamari Johnson won't be double-teamed if Stewart is drawing attention. Those players in a one-on-one situation will win 95 percent of the time. Watching Stewart get open and score a couple of touchdowns on Saturday will set up things we'll expect to see in the fall.

Bjorn Bergstrom: With the way that he came down with so many acrobatic grabs last season, I think it’ll be Jeremiah McClellan. I could see the quarterbacks just throwing the ball his way when nothing else is available, and McClellan coming down with several impressive catches.

Logan Brown: Without knowing how much the starters are going to play, I’ll say that Iverson Hooks makes a strong first impression on Ducks fans and gets to showcase his speed and live up to some of the Tex Johnson comparisons. Oregon needs more yards-after-the-catch receivers, and Hooks certainly fits the bill. I would wager that either Hooks or Jeremiah McClellan leads the team in receptions at the spring game.

Contact/Follow@Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon Football: Roundtable predictions for Ducks' 2026 spring game