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Oregon Ducks' Biggest Question Heading Into 2026 Season
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- Oregon Ducks' Biggest Question Heading Into 2026 Season
(USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
The Oregon Ducks are one of the most well-rounded teams in all of college football. But even the strongest teams still have a question mark or two.
For Oregon, the biggest question coming into the 2026 season is who wins the nickel cornerback job.
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With Oregon replacing one of its most versatile defensive backs in a conference loaded with elite slot receivers, the nickel position may be the one starting job that remains unsettled entering fall camp.
Last season, it seemed like a position for the taking. But the more the season wore on, it was clear that Jadon Canady was the guy for the job.
Before getting drafted in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs , Canady recorded 39 total tackles, two interceptions, six pass breakups, and a forced fumble.
As of right now, incoming transfer from Baylor Carl Williams IV seems to be the favorite, given his experience. However, Williams has had a tremendously difficult time staying on the field, missing all but one game last season.
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What's ironic though, is that Williams has often been compared to Canady .
He may be a bigger player physically, but they both play a similar style, which in a perfect world, Williams would be the ideal candidate.
But the world is far from perfect. And there are more than enough options out there.
Sophomore Na'eem Offord was one of the top recruits in his class, but Offord's freshman year was riddled with broken tackles and missed coverage that led to explosive plays.
The pedigree speaks for itself. Offord is a superior athlete, but improving his consistency as a tackler could ultimately determine how much playing time he earns.
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Luckily, progress is being made. Defensive coordinator Chris Hampton has been encouraged with what he's seen from Offord.
"He's gaining more confidence," Hampton said . "His IQ of concepts has continued to grow. He's understanding 'This is the concept. We're playing Cover 2 in this defense, but I'm maybe man on my guy. Oh, but this is what everyone else is doing.' Instead of just knowing 'I have this guy,' but having no concept of what's going on around you. The more you know, the more valuable you are to the team, the more valuable you are to the organization."
Lastly is Brandon Finney Jr., who unlike Offord, had one of the better freshman seasons from a defensive back.
He ended up coming out as a Freshman All-American, and was nominated to the All-Big Ten second-team.
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Finney may end up coming into the season as one of the STAR corners, and not the nickel though. He has the perfect size, standing 6-foot-2 and 206 pounds, with an exceptional wingspan.
The one knock on him is that he tends to be too aggressive that ends up resulting in penalties, but he's still young, and that can be worked on.
Finney's versatility could also make him an option if Oregon decides to move pieces around during camp.
Williams may enter camp as the favorite thanks to his experience, but Offord's development could ultimately determine Oregon's ceiling in the secondary.
If the Ducks can find a reliable replacement for Canady, one of the few remaining questions surrounding this roster may disappear before Week 1.
