Predicting Ducks' offensive depth chart ahead of Oregon Spring Game

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Predicting Ducks' offensive depth chart ahead of Oregon Spring Game

Zachary Neel, Ducks Wire · Ducks Wire

Wed, Apr 22, 2026 ·

6 min read

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Over a dozen spring football practices are in the books for Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks , and the team is now getting set to take the field in Autzen Stadium for the annual spring game on Saturday afternoon. This will be the third official scrimmage for Oregon this spring, but the first played in front of fans and a live television audience.

While this is nothing new for the majority of the Ducks' returning roster , it will be a new experience for many young players fighting for spots on the depth chart. With several months of offseason still ahead, nothing will be set in stone as far as starting spots go following the spring game, but this will offer up a great opportunity to see who is fighting for snaps and where the depth chart stands at this point.

Though we haven't been able to see any practices or scrimmages thus far, talking to players and coaches over the past several weeks has given us a look at who is playing where and which young players are stepping up and potentially grabbing top spots on the depth chart. Here is our prediction of how things will look when we see them on Saturday.

Quarterback

Starter: Dante Moore
Backup: Dylan Raiola
Other Names to Know: Akili Smith Jr. / Brock Thomas

Analysis: With Dante Moore back for the 2026 season, the QB depth chart is crystal clear for Oregon in 2026. Moore will enter the season as one of the Heisman favorites, with Nebraska 's Dylan Raiola coming in to be the QB2 and sit for a year, much like Moore did behind Dillon Gabriel . We can also watch as guys like Akili Smith Jr. and Brock Thomas find spots on the depth chart as well.

Running Back

Starter: Dierre Hill Jr.
Backup: Jordon Davison
Other Names to Know: Tradarian Ball / Da'Jaun Riggs / Simeon Price / Brandon Smith

Analysis: I originally had Jordon Davison over Dierre Hill Jr. because of his ability to be more of an every-down back, but it sounds like he is still working back from his broken clavicle suffered in the Orange Bowl victory over Texas Tech. Because of that, I have Hill at the top, but I think we still see Davison get a bit of run. I'm more interested in seeing players like Tradarian Ball and Da'Jaun Riggs, watching how they can operate in this offense.

Tight End

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 09: Jamari Johnson #9 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates a touchdown against the Indiana Hoosiers during the first quarter in the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Starter: Jamari Johnson
Backup: Andrew Olesh
Other Names to Know: Kendre Harrison / Markus Dixon

Analysis: Oregon projects to have one of the best TE rooms in the nation next year, led by Jamari Johnson, who really came on as an impact player at the end of this season. With the addition of 2025 5-star TE Andrew Olesh and 2026 5-star TE Kendre Harrison, there is no shortage of talent in this room.

Wide Receiver (X)

Dec 20, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Dakorien Moore (1) looks on before the game against the James Madison Dukes at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Starter: Dakorien Moore
Backup: Evan Stewart
Other Names to Know: Gatlin Bair

Analysis: The WR depth chart at each spot has gotten a bit tricky to predict, seeing as WR coach Ross Douglas recently said that the room is playing "positionless football" and they aren't worried about who plays X, Y, or Z. Instead, they will rotate guys around and make sure the best are on the field as much as possible. Still, I predict that Dakorien Moore will be among the top options out wide, along with Evan Stewart and Gatlin Bair.

Wide Receiver (Z)

EUGENE, OREGON - NOVEMBER 14: Jeremiah McClellan #11 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates with teammate Jamari Johnson #9 after a touchdown during the second half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Autzen Stadium on November 14, 2025 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)

Starter: Jeremiah McClellan
Backup: Evan Stewart
Other Names to Know: Dakorien Moore

Analysis: Again, it's tough to predict this position exactly with as much as players are going to rotate around, but it feels safe to assume that you are going to see a lot of Jeremiah McClellan, Dakorien Moore, and Evan Stewart in this spot.

Wide Receiver (Y/Slot)

UABâ€™s wide receiver Iverson Hooks (0) carries the ball against Alabama State during their game at Protective Stadium in Birmingham Ala., on Thursday evening August 27, 2025.

Starter: Iverson Hooks
Backup: Evan Stewart
Other Names to Know: Messiah Hampton

Analysis: The slot is going to see a lot of rotation like the outside positions, but I expect it to look a little different, primarily with UAB transfer Iverson Hooks getting into the mix more. Since Tez Johnson left, Oregon hasn't really had a similar weapon in the slot. Gary Bryant Jr. did a fine job in that role this past year, but he also dealt with injuries for much of the season. In comes Hooks, who appears to be cut from the same cloth as Tez — an undersized player with great yards after the catch ability, and elite quickness.

Left Tackle

Jan 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oregon Ducks tight end Kade Caton (85), offensive lineman Fox Crader (59) and offensive lineman Ziyare Addison (58) warm up prior to the 2025 Orange Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Starter: Fox Crader
Backup: Ziyarre Addison
Other Names to Know: Tommy Tofi

Analysis: The left tackle spot will be an interesting one to watch this spring. Fox Crader did well in reserve this year and showed that he can play there. Oregon also has a significant amount of depth at the position, with guys like Ziyarre Addison and incoming freshman Tommy Tofi earning some early buzz as well.

Left Guard

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 29: Douglas Utu #55 and A'Mauri Washington #52 of the Oregon Ducks look on against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Starter: Douglas Utu
Backup: Kawika Rogers
Other Names to Know: Demetri Manning / Tommy Tofi

Analysis: Will it be the young blue-chipper to step up, or the veteran reserve? That's the question between Douglas Utu and Kawika Rogers. My early money is on Utu, because I've been told that he has a high ceiling and is ready to play, but Rogers has been good when leaned on over the last couple of years, and could be ready to step into the starting role. I also think that Tofi could play here, depending on his position versatility.

Center

Oregon offensive lineman Iapani Laloulu snaps the ball to Oregon quarterback Dante Moore as the Oregon Ducks face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sept. 27, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.

Starter: Iapani Laloulu
Backup: Devin Brooks
Other Names to Know: Bryce Boulton / Koloi Keli

Analysis: With Iapani Laloulu returning for his senior season, the Ducks are as strong as just about anyone in the nation at the center position. Behind Poncho, though, we will see what Devin Brooks or Bryce Boulton can provide. With Charlie Pickard gone, the Ducks will have to find their backup center this year.

Right Guard

Oregon wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr., left, celebrates a touchdown with offensive lineman Dave Iuli as the Oregon Ducks host the Montana State Bobcats on Aug. 30, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

Starter: Dave Iuli
Backup: Michael Bennett
Other Names to Know: Douglas Utu

Analysis: It's not hard to project that Dave Iuli is going to get the starting spot at RG once again next year, after serving there for the 2025 season, but the Ducks also brought in Yale transfer Michael Bennett, who could slot in at guard should he need to. Douglas Utu might move over here as well if Rogers ends up winning the LG spot.

Right Tackle

Oct 25, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive tackle Gernorris Wilson (35) catches a touchdown pass during the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Starter: Michael Bennett
Backup:Tommy Tofi
Other Names to Know: Trent Ferguson / Gernorris Wilson

Analysis: The RT spot will be arguably the most interesting to watch on the offensive line next year. While I feel confident that Fox Crader will be the guy at LT, there are any number of players who could take over as the starter at RT. Between Michael Bennett, Gernorris Wilson, Trent Ferguson, Immanuel Iheanacho, Tommy Tofi, or Kawika Rogers, the Ducks will have no shortage of options.

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon's offensive depth chart projection ahead of Ducks' Spring Game

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