Oregon EDGE Nasir Wyatt models game after Von Miller, Nolan Smith
It was hard to ignore when edge rusher Nasir Wyatt was on the field for the Oregon Ducks in 2025. In just 39 defensive snaps, the four-star talent registered 11 tackles, finished third on the team with three sacks and forced a fumble. Multiply those numbers by four — which would still be a reserve-level snap-count of 156 — and Wyatt would be in conversations as a top-five pick once he's eligible for the NFL draft.
Heading into 2026, Wyatt is likely still resigned to a rotational role, as the entire Ducks starting defensive line returned. But that doesn't mean that a breakout isn't on the horizon, aided by studying accomplished pass rushers in the NFL.
"When it comes to pass rush, I kind of look at Von Miller , he's my favorite rusher," Wyatt told reporters on Tuesday. "And then I kind of look at guys like Hassan Reddick , Nick Bonnito."
It doesn't get much better than Miller, who sits at No. 9 on the NFL's all-time sack list with a staggering 138.5 takedowns. Both Reddick and Bonnito have had standout double figure sack marks in recent seasons, but a significant component between all three is their similar frame to Wyatt.
Standing 6-foot-2 and 228 pounds at his most recent listing, Wyatt is certainly on the slighter side for edge rushers — but so are Miller, Reddick and Bonnito, with none being over 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds. They all win with speed and technical skills rather than pure strength, a necessity considering how much weight they're giving up against NFL offensive tackles.
Wyatt, undoubtedly, has the speed right now, showcasing it last season. But it's the hand-to-hand combat skills and pass rush moves that he'll need to obtain to make the next step as far as rushing the passer.
So much emphasis is put on edge rushers simply rushing the passer, but that's not all that the job description pertains. Stopping the run is half the game, and something that Wyatt aims to improve upon by looking at a former player under Dan Lanning at Georgia.
"Then when it comes to adding in the run, I love watching Nolan Smith , because, you know a guy who is 6-foot-2, 233-pound frame, you know, he's playing a six (technique) better than a lot of people," Wyatt said. "So I mean, that's something I look at as I want to try to model my game on. Nolan Smith was with Dan Lanning, he coached him at Georgia. So, I try to just look at that as that can be me in 2-3 years."
Last fall, Wyatt almost always was substituted into the game in sure-fire passing downs. As an outside linebacker, his lack of mass could be targeted by smart opponents in the run game. Smith has compounded that deficiency in his game with the Philadelphia Eagles , becoming close to an every-down player as he beefed up to now being listed at nearly 240 pounds, which makes a significant difference.
For Wyatt, the balance between gaining mass and not losing speed will have to, if it hasn't already, be navigated. But regardless of that, it's extremely encouraging that he's studying an all-time great and several above-average players in the NFL when he has all the tools to maximize his potential with the Ducks in the coming years.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Ducks EDGE Nasir Wyatt reveals who he models his game after
