The first thing Big Ten fans say about Oregon going into 2025 is "they lost a lot," referring to the 10 players the Ducks sent to the NFL draft, coupled with another 13 who earned tryouts as undrafted free agents.
Thing is, they gained a lot too. Oregon signed the No. 5 recruiting class and the No. 5 portal class in 2025. They've brought in three veteran starters on the offensive line, a big defensive tackle, the best safety in the portal and a 1,400-yard running back.
At wide receiver the team got a blow when news came out that Evan Stewart suffered an injury while training this summer, but with Dakorien Moore and Kenyon Sadiq igniting the passing attack, it should remain potent.
PFF says Oregon's Bryce Boettcher is the best returning linebacker in the Big Ten, by a wide margin.
Highest Graded Returning Big Ten Linebackers🔥 pic.twitter.com/qp7552ZuoJ
— PFF College (@PFF_College) July 15, 2025
Andy Staples ranks Dante Moore as the best of the Big Ten's young quarterbacks. Casual fans forget he was a five-star prospect coming out of Martin Luther King High School in Detroit.
NEW: Top 10 College Football Big Ten Quarterbacks via @Andy_Staples🎯
Do you agree? 🤔https://t.co/YJSVnKUeJC pic.twitter.com/2sAQpqigOB
— On3 (@On3sports) July 15, 2025
He's had two seasons to mature and work on his game. In a quarterback-friendly offense behind a solid offensive line and a strong running game, he's going to excel in the quarterback stat that matters most, wins.
The anonymous Big Ten coach Athlon Sports interviewed for their college football preview magazine said about Moore, “They’re pretty hyped on the quarterback [Dante Moore], who they’ve had in the system for a season already, which is a huge advantage. This isn’t modifying your book for a guy you get out of the portal; it’s a talented, developed player who already knows your system. I think that will show early on this season.”
Anyone who doubts that the Ducks will be able to score points hasn't been watching the Will Stein offense. Phil Steele places every one of Oregon's five projected starters on the offensive line on his all-conference team, two on the first team.
Phil Steele’s Preseason All-Big Ten Offensive Linemen
1st Team:
Logan Jones, Iowa
Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
Gennings Dunker, Iowa
Isaiah World, Oregon
2nd Team:
Iapani Laloulu, Oregon
Tegra Tshabola, Ohio State
Beau Stephens, Iowa
Caleb Tiernan,… pic.twitter.com/CK8X2k3eWH
— The Big Ten Huddle 🎙️ (@TheBigTenHuddle) July 7, 2025
The 2025 edition of the Law Firm is a solid group that understands the assignment. All five were here and healthy for spring ball and they will have trained together for eight full months by the time they take the field against Montana State.
College football analyst Cole Topham thinks Dan Lanning has a plan to make Dakorien Moore Oregon's next great wide receiver.
Who will the Oregon Ducks turn to after losing WR Evan Stewart to a season-ending knee injury?
It’s simple:
5⭐️ freshman Dakorien Moore is ready to answer the bell.
• 5-11
• 185 pounds
• No. 1 WR in 2025 class
• Explosive run after catch ability
• RPO-heavy offense will… pic.twitter.com/GY6W3COQVI
— Cole Topham (@crtopham_) June 8, 2025
It's far-fetched to put him ahead of Jeremiah Smith, Ryan Williams or Jordan Tyson at this early stage of his career, but he does have explosive skills and elite body control, and he is electric after the catch.
The tandem of Boettcher and Dillon Thieneman should bring a new level of toughness, physicality and smarts to the Oregon defense.
College football’s Top 2️⃣0️⃣ Safeties via @ratrundown 👀📈📉
He has Oregon Safety Dillon Thieneman at No. 2 🦆🔥
Do you agree with these rankings?! 🤔⬇️ pic.twitter.com/clLDO5oxmq
— DuckZone503 (@DuckZone503) July 15, 2025
In Makhi Hughes, Dillon Thieneman, Moore-to-Moore, Sadiq, World, Laloulu and Pregnon, Matayo Uiagalelei and Jahlil Florence, this lineup is stacked with playmakers, smart, solid football players.
One of the big challenges they'll face early is the White Out atmosphere at Penn State, the Zombie Nation pregame chant. It's impressive, but Dan Lanning thrives on getting his team ready for hostile environments, turning that energy around. He likes to say, "Pressure is a privilege."
The We Are Penn State Zombie Nation chant in beaver stadium really makes me believe I could run through steel pic.twitter.com/KEBH2KVSVj
— White Out Recruiting (@NittanyNatRec) July 11, 2025
It helps a little that this is likely to be a "Big Noon Kickoff" game rather than a night game but what's more concerning than the pregame hype song is the talent the Nittany Lions have, the best roster James Franklin has fielded at Penn State.
This is a matchup of playoff teams with loaded rosters. The Ducks will have to build to that game and respond to the pressure to come away with a win in Happy Valley. Ten weeks out they are 4.5-point underdogs.
It's all hype and rankings until kickoff. The Ducks host Montana State in 46 days.
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