Evan Stewart says coming back to Oregon in 2026 was a 'no-brainer'

The past calendar year hasn't been the easiest for Evan Stewart.

The former 5-star wide receiver was expected to step in as the Oregon Ducks' No. 1 option out wide a year ago, with some draft analysts predicting that he'd be a first-round pick come the 2026 NFL Draft. He'd had a solid 2024 campaign with the Ducks, finishing as the team's third-leading receiver — but more meat remained on the bone, with the 2025 season presumably acting as his full-blown breakout as the featured guy in the receiver room before jetting off to the pros.

That was the expectation until he tore his patellar tendon in June, which ended his season prematurely. While he tried to make a comeback in the postseason and even warmed up with the team prior to their College Football Playoff First Round matchup against the James Madison Dukes, Stewart didn't play a single snap all year.

He watched as true freshman 5b -star Dakorien Moore assumed the No. 1 receiver role early in the season and senior Malik Benson stepped up late, revealing a strong and deep position room. Oregon went far, reaching the CFP Semifinal, but all of it came without Stewart, who's not only trying to use the 2026 season as a way of demonstrating him own skills but also catapulting the Ducks to the top of college football.

"I see myself as a highly talented player," Stewart told reporters on Saturday. "I think I can bring a lot to the table. And the thing is, I got to showcase it. I just got to showcase and I know that. So, I mean, it was really a kind of no-brainer, honestly, like, especially with Dante being the quarterback that he is, and the team that we have. We have a fantastic receiver core. We got JMac, we got DK, we got UAB transfer ‘Strap.’ I mean, we still haven't got to that top goal, and I'm trying to help accomplish it, and I know I can help."

After his injury, there still remained a decision for Stewart: enter the 2026 draft or return to the Ducks after receiving a medical redshirt? As he said, that decision wasn't much of a decision due to the group that was waiting for him back at Oregon.

It would've made for an interesting situation if Moore had declared for the draft, leaving Oregon to find another quarterback to start this fall. While that could've put Stewart's situation into flux, that situation ultimately didn't play out, and now the two 5-stars will finally get to demonstrate their connection in what they hope is a long season full of victories with the Ducks.

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Evan Stewart reveals he had no doubts about returning to Ducks in 2026