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Which Oregon players' stock improved the most during spring game
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- Which Oregon players' stock improved the most during spring game
The Oregon Ducks let the ball fly around Autzen Stadium in Saturday's spring game , flexing their weapons in the passing game and their core group of experienced playmakers. Although the Ducks will miss some veteran pieces that are off to the NFL, Dan Lanning's squad is loaded with explosive players with the ball, and the effects felt might be minimal.
The spring game wasn't by any means perfect. Blunders on special teams, a lack of explosive runs and some gaffes in the secondary drove home the fact that it's still April, and there is still a lot the Ducks can improve on before the fall. Lanning said the playbook, both offensively and defensively, was very vanilla while the new players and coordinators eased in.
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While the team will get some extended time away before fall camp, it's hard not to look at the spring game and theorize about who helped their case the most for a big role once the season rolls around. Here are the players who stood out to me the most on Saturday, improving their stock on the roster.
Messiah Hampton
Fighting Ducks wide receiver Messiah Hampton, right, makes a catch under cover from Fighting Ducks defensive back Arlo Henderson during the Oregon Ducks annual spring game on April 25, 2026 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
On a day when Jeremiah McClellan and Gatlin Bair were in street clothes, it was Messiah Hampton who bubbled to the surface and got the opportunity to run with the Ducks' offense. The speedy true freshman showed some impressive instincts to create separation and make plays on a jump ball downfield. Hampton caught three of his five targets for 44 yards, highlighted by a 33-yard reception over a defender on a pass from Dylan Raiola . He just missed a long touchdown on the next play as well. There are plenty of mouths for the Ducks to feed, including some that haven't taken the field yet, but Hampton could be in line for a rotational role similar to what Cooper Perry did for the Ducks last season.
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Brock Thomas
EUGENE, OREGON - APRIL 25: Quarterback Brock Thomas #12 of the Oregon Ducks prepares to throw the ball during the spring football game at Autzen Stadium on April 25, 2026 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Ali Gradischer/Getty Images)
All eyes were on Dante Moore and Dylan Raiola , and rightfully so. However, Brock Thomas was the Ducks' backup last season, and the local kid had another great day competing for the backup role again this season. Thomas completed 11-of-16 through the air for 112 yards and tossed one touchdown, which happened to be a big shot downfield for the game-winning score. Notably, Thomas showed some nice awareness from the pocket on a day where the Oregon offensive line struggled to keep up with the pass rush.
Thomas shouldn't be forgotten in the quarterback room. Even though Raiola is penciled in as the backup, Thomas surprisingly took the role from Austin Novosad last season, and if the Ducks were forced to play another quarterback at some point next season, Thomas could slide in. He held his own in poor conditions against Wisconsin last season, and the Ducks certainly like the poise he brings to the offense.
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Oregon's Defensive Line Depth
Fighting Ducks outside linebacker Nasir Wyatt, right, blocks a pass by Combat Ducks quarterback Brock Thomas during the Oregon Ducks annual spring game on April 25, 2026 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
The Ducks were fortunate to bring back their core four up front in Matayo Uiagalelei , Bear Alexander , A'Mauri Washington and Teitum Tuioti . However, the depth behind them has created some buzz this spring, and it all came to fruition with a dominant showing in the spring game.
After losing most of their interior defensive line depth to the transfer portal, the Ducks added a pair of transfers, but it was Aydin Breland who led the Ducks with six tackles and three sacks on Saturday. The Ducks also got a pair of sacks from Matthew Johnson, who the Oregon coaching staff has raved about this spring. Bleu Dantzler, an Oregon State transfer, and Anthony "Tank" Jones did a tremendous job setting the edge and getting busy in the backfield, tallying a tackle for loss each.
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Elijah Rushing showcased his new form on the edge alongside Nasir Wyatt . Rushing grabbed half a sack while Wyatt batted a pass down at the line of scrimmage. Like the receiving core, it's going to be hard to get everyone ample playing time this fall. But the depth was a mild concern given how many players departed during the offseason. Consider that concern put to rest, for now.
Dakorien Moore
Combat Ducks wide receiver Dakorien Moore makes a catch for a touchdown during the Oregon Ducks annual spring game on April 25, 2026 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
It's hard for Dakorien Moore's stock to rise any higher than it already is, but after an injury last season slowed his role toward the end of the year, it was great to see Moore have a big game to cap the spring. Moore matched up with Brandon Finney for most of the day and seemed to have the upper hand. He's battled with Evan Stewart in the weeks leading up to the spring game, and on Saturday, Moore got the last laugh. He finished the game with a team-high five catches for 133 yards and sealed the game with a 60-yard touchdown catch on a pass from Thomas. Moore ran right by corner Dorian Brew and split the field on a post and danced into the end zone.
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You didn't need to see much from Moore to know he'll be a big part of the Ducks' offense again this season, but it's always nice to get some emphatic reassurance. Oh, and you can catch him competing with the Oregon track and field team for the rest of the spring with the spring football season in the books.
Peyton Woodyard
Combat Ducks defensive back Peyton Woodyard, right, breaks up a pass intended for Fighting Ducks tight end Andrew Olesh during the Oregon Ducks annual spring game on April 25, 2026 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
The secondary might have been exposed by Oregon's aggressive passing attack downfield, but the Ducks did get some good reps from Peyton Woodyard at safety. He's in the thick of a competitive race for the backup field safety role behind Koi Perich , and he only helped himself on Saturday, nabbing five tackles and a pair of deflections on passes downfield.
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Woodyard, a former Alabama transfer, has primarily been a special teams performer since coming to Eugene, but this could be the time for the junior to get on the field. He'll have to hold off the likes of Trey McNutt and Xavier Lherisse for the backup role, but Woodyard's speed and ability to get his hands on the ball have been impressive enough to warrant a closer look in a talented defensive backs room.
Dylan Raiola
Fighting Ducks quarterback Dylan Raiola throws a pass during the Oregon Ducks annual spring game on April 25, 2026 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
Even though Thomas stood out, Raiola didn't disappoint in his debut in front of the Oregon crowd at Autzen Stadium. Raiola completed 8-of-16 passes for 149 yards and tossed a 76-yard touchdown to Stewart that showcased his arm talent down the sideline. So far, Raiola appears to be healthy after a leg injury ended his career at Nebraska , and he has the stamp of approval from some of Oregon's pass catchers, including Stewart.
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The backup quarterback role will be one to watch during the fall, even if Lanning enters the season without a clear answer to the position on the depth chart behind Moore. The former top recruit has looked the part since joining the Ducks.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: NAME, NAME among biggest risers in Oregon spring game
