Oregon Ducks EDGE preview: Veterans ready to pass the torch

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Oregon Ducks EDGE preview: Veterans ready to pass the torch

Logan Brown, Ducks Wire · Ducks Wire

Fri, Jul 24, 2026 ·

6 min read

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Since Dan Lanning took over as head coach, the Oregon Ducks have steadily moved closer to capturing the elusive national championship. In 2025, Oregon advanced to the College Football Playoff semifinals, but once again saw its title pursuit end short of the ultimate goal.

Now, with a coaching staff that has been able to learn and grow, a veteran core returning, and one of the most talented rosters in the country, the Ducks enter 2026 with a legitimate opportunity to deliver the championship season their fans have been waiting for.

If Oregon is going to turn its championship hopes into reality this season, it starts with the defense, anchored by a pair of edge rushers returning to Eugene for one more ride. Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti have become one of the most feared pass-rushing duos in the country, but now, can they bring the Ducks to new heights and pave the way for the talented line of edge rushers waiting to replace them?

Let's dive into the edge rusher room in Eugene and see what's new and what to expect as the Ducks gear up for the 2026 season.

State of the Oregon Ducks Edge Rushers

EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 13: Matayo Uiagalelei #10 of the Oregon Ducks in action against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The Ducks are bringing back the same dominant edge rushers they've had for the past three seasons: Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti . Consistency along the defensive front is huge for the Oregon defense, which is expected to be among the best in the country this season.

The depth in the room is probably the best on the roster, with Nasir Wyatt expected to take on a bigger role in his second season, Elijah Rushing ready to contribute, and Tank Jones being one of the most important freshmen on the team this year. The Ducks also added Bleu Dantzler , an Oregon State transfer, and a couple of other freshmen to fill out the room after a couple of losses during the offseason.

Coming into camp, the edge rushers are the heartbeat of the defense, as Uiagalelei and Tuioti pair with Bear Alexander and A'Mauri Washington to form a defensive line with plenty of experience. As productive as the pass-rushing duo on the edge has been, there is hope they could do even more this season. If the Ducks can find more consistent impact from the seniors and the new crop of talent looking to earn snaps, this could be an overwhelming unit for offenses to game-plan against.

Who's Gone, Who's Back, and Who's New?

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 09: Nasir Wyatt #32 of the Oregon Ducks reacts after a tackle against the Indiana Hoosiers during the second 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)

Departures

The Ducks did lose some valuable depth in the transfer portal. Blake Purchase and Ashton Porter, both of whom contributed frequently off the bench last season, entered the portal and wound up at Ole Miss and Houston , respectively. Tobi Haastrup was a true project at Oregon as a freshman, still learning the ins and outs of football. However, he packed up and left for West Virginia , where playing time could be easier to come by.

Returners

This room is loaded because of the veteran and young returners. Uiagalelei and Tuioti could finish the season as All-Americans given their pass rush combination. The real interest amongst the returners is with the young guys looking to take the veterans' place next season. Wyatt might be the fastest in the room, and Rushing, a former five-star recruit, hasn't seen the field much in two seasons as a Duck. This could be the year he finally breaks out and uses his size to wreck opposing backfields.

Newcomers

Oregon made some intriguing additions during the offseason as well. Five-star freshman Tank Jones is the clear highlight, and he should be ready to contribute immediately with a blend of agility and power rushing abilities. Fellow freshmen Prince Tavizon and Dutch Horisk add depth to the room as well. Oregon State transfer Bleu Dantzler had an impressive spring, culminating with 1.5 sacks in the spring game. He's someone to keep an eye out for this season.

Projected Depth Chart

Oregon outside linebacker Teitum Tuioti, left, defensive lineman A'Mauri Washington and outside linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei celebrate a sack by Tuioti as the Oregon Ducks host the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Nov. 14, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

Starter: Matayo Uiagalelei/Teitum Tuioti
Backup: Nasir Wyatt, Elijah Rushing, Tank Jones
Other Names to Know: Bleu Dantzler

For as deep and talented as the edge rusher room is, this depth chart is likely set in stone, barring an injury in fall camp. Uiagalelei and Tuioti are leaders of the roster as a whole, and nobody is going to overtake their spot in the lineup. Wyatt, Rushing and Jones will all rotate in some fashion, and Dantzler is probably next in line.

Biggest Questions Entering Fall Camp

Sep 6, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Teitum Tuioti (44) celebrates after sacking Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Zane Flores (6) during the second half at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

How will the Ducks balance the use of Nasir Wyatt, Elijah Rushing and Tank Jones?

Behind Uiagalelei and Tuioti, the Ducks have a bevy of talented pass rushers waiting their turn. With both senior starters likely set to depart after the season, defensive coordinator Chris Hampton might look to find a way to pass the torch to the young faces in the room, slowly but surely.

That doesn't mean that Wyatt, Rushing or Jones will overtake Uiagalelei and Tuioti as starters by the end of the year, but they do need to find snaps for all of them, as well as Dantzler. Wyatt had streaks of brilliance last season with his speed, which Jones seems capable of as well as a freshman. Rushing has spent a few years on the sideline, but now bulked up and ready to contribute, he could be an interesting partner to Uiagalelei because of their size and power rushing abilities.

Can Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti find another gear?

If the Ducks get similar production from Uiagalelei and Tuioti to what they've gotten over the past two seasons, you won't see many people complaining. Uiagalelei picked up 10.5 sacks in 2024, while Tuioti had 9.5 sacks last season. Both are stout against the run as well, but can they do even more? The Ducks have been burned by mobile quarterbacks and outside runs in big games, and sometimes the pass rush can disappear for long stretches. Consistency will be key this season.

Player to Watch

Elijah Rushing

It's finally time to see what Rushing can do. The former five-star edge rusher from Arizona has only appeared in 11 games with the Ducks in two seasons. Despite having plenty of potential, Rushing has been blocked by the duo of Uiagalelei and Tuioti, as well as depth rushers like Wyatt and Purchase. Now, the path is much clearer, and he has experience in the system.

Rushing is 6-foot-6 and bulked up to 285 pounds this offseason, preparing himself to become a pure power rusher who could spell Uiagalelei during games. He's big enough to set the edge against the run as well, which he struggled to do when he arrived in Eugene.

There are plenty of guys pushing for playing time, including Jones, so Rushing won't be gifted opportunities. He will have to earn it in fall camp, and this is by far the best chance he has had in Eugene. This season is all about setting himself up to take the torch and become a starter next season. Nobody in the room is in for a more important fall camp than Rushing.

Final Outlook and Position Grade

Oregon outside linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei, left, and Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman bring down Washington running back Jonah Coleman as the Oregon Ducks take on the Washington Huskies on Nov. 29, 2025, at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington.

It's tough to look at the group of edge rushers the Ducks have collected and find many concerns. They have a healthy blend of experience, potential, and size, and just about everyone could contribute. Consistency is key this season, and the Ducks will need Uiagalelei and Tuioti to create more havoc than they did a year ago, but the room is in good hands with Wyatt, Rushing, Jones and Dantzler all proving they can step in.

Oregon's biggest strength as a team is along the defensive line, and the edge rushers are a big reason why. It's arguably one of the best position rooms in the country heading into the season, and the expectations are sky high. Fortunately, this group appears more than ready to handle the task.

Overall Oregon Ducks Edge Rushers Grade: A+

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon Ducks EDGE preview: Veterans ready to pass the torch

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