The Oregon Ducks have been one of the top programs in college football during the past two decades. Through quarterback changes and multiple head coaches, one thing has remained constant with Oregon: winning. 

The expectation is that the 2025 season will be no different as coach Dan Lanning looks to win 10-plus games for the fourth straight time in his fourth season as the Ducks’ head coach. While expectations haven’t changed, the Ducks’ roster certainly has. Lanning and his staff will be tasked with replacing 18 starters from his 2024 team, and that will be no easy task. 

Lanning has done a tremendous job reloading his roster through the transfer portal and high school recruiting classes, but what if Lanning had the opportunity to add a player or two from a past Duck team to join this current roster? Which players might Lanning and his staff choose? 

This question is fascinating as there have been dozens of All-Conference type players and former first-round picks that would help this Ducks roster. So, let’s discuss. Who would make the most sense to add if there was one player offense and defense from a past Oregon team within the last decade? 

Which defensive player from past Oregon teams (2015-2025) would make the most sense to add to this current roster?

While the Oregon brand is more synonymous with offensive football, the Ducks’ defense has yielded some outstanding players over the past 10 years. The Ducks have had a ton of success developing the defensive line under Lanning, and that is the case in 2025. With pass rusher Matayo Uiagalelei returning after a 10.5 sack season and interior players such as A’Mauri Washington and Bear Alexander looking to step up, the Ducks would be wise to add a former player elsewhere on defense. 

The biggest concern for the Ducks’ defense is at the corner, where the team lost their three starters from 2025: Jabbar Muhammad, Dontae Manning, and Nikko Reed. Adding a past corner to this year’s unit would go a long way to helping the 2025 Ducks’ defense, so the most logical choice for which defensive player from the past 10 years to add to this team is former Oregon star Christian Gonzalez.

In his lone season at Oregon (2022), he tallied 50 total tackles, four interceptions, and seven passes defended, earning First-Team All-Pac-12 honors. With his elite speed, ball skills, and production, Gonzalez would instantly elevate Oregon’s secondary, locking down receivers and flipping field position when the opportunity arises. Gonzalez is as talented a defensive back the Oregon program has ever had, and his return would instantly change this Ducks’ defense. 

With Gonzalez now locked in as Oregon’s number one corner, Northwestern transfer Theran Johnson can be the Ducks’ number two corner. Gonzalez and Johnson have plenty of experience and dynamic skillsets to excel in man and zone coverage principles. Additionally, Oregon’s younger corners, who all possess excellent talent, would not be rushed into playing time and could sit and learn behind two NFL-caliber players. 

Other Players Considered

• Deforest Buckner
• Kayvon Thibodeaux
• Troy Dye
• Jevon Holland
• Derrick Harmon

Oregon Ducks News

What kind of player is Oregon and Dan Lanning getting in transfer Theran Johnson?

The Ducks landed a a star corner in the transfer portal with Theran Johnson coming over from Northwestern and he should be in store for a big season.

Brentley Weissman