The Oregon Ducks football program has made big moves in the transfer portal again, pulling in a group of players from all over the country. With 16 new transfers, the Ducks want to strengthen their roster for the 2026 season.
This blog post takes a look at these new additions, their past performances, and what roles they might play in 2026. Let’s see how these transfers could shape the future of Oregon Ducks football.
Quarterback Additions
Raiola from Nebraska
The Ducks picked up Raiola, a promising quarterback from Nebraska. In 2025, Raiola completed 72.4% of his passes, throwing for 2,000 yards, 18 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
He’ll start out as Dante Moore’s backup in 2026, but the plan is for Raiola to take over as starter in 2027. His arm strength and accuracy downfield should be a real asset for Oregon’s offense.
Running Back Enhancements
Price from Colorado
Price, who played at Colorado, brings experience and physicality to the Ducks’ running back room. Even though injuries limited his 2025 season, he still rushed for 143 yards on 21 carries, averaging a solid 6.8 yards per carry.
At 6-foot and 215 pounds, he adds a veteran presence to a pretty young group. Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr. are likely to get most of the touches, but Price could definitely become a key reserve.
Wide Receiver and Tight End Upgrades
Hooks from UAB
Hooks, a slot receiver from UAB, joins the Ducks after a strong 2025 season: 72 catches for 927 yards and seven touchdowns. He might not start right away, especially with Oregon’s “positionless football” approach, but Hooks could make a big impact as a backup slot receiver.
He’s explosive in the open field—maybe even a game-changer if he gets the ball in space.
Dixon and Olesh at Tight End
Dixon, who used to play for Clemson, and Olesh from Penn State both join the Ducks as backup tight ends. Dixon switched from defensive end and flashed some promise in the spring game.
Olesh, a top 50 recruit, redshirted his first year but has a high ceiling. Both will compete for snaps behind Jamari Johnson. Dixon probably helps most as a blocker, while Olesh brings upside for the future.
Offensive Line and Defensive Line Reinforcements
Bennett from Yale
Bennett, a two-time All-Ivy League selection, joins the Ducks to help out on the offensive line. He played right tackle at Yale and is expected to start there for Oregon too.
His spring game had some ups and downs, but Bennett’s experience and flexibility make him a useful piece in the O-line rotation.
Robinson, Brown, and Simmons on the Defensive Line
Robinson from North Carolina, Brown from Howard, and Simmons from UL-Monroe are new faces on the defensive line. Robinson, the most productive of the bunch, wants to boost his NFL Draft stock by coming to Oregon.
He’ll start as a backup but could break out in 2027. Brown and Simmons, both seniors, add depth inside, with Simmons probably seeing work mostly on run downs.
Linebackers and Secondary Additions
Dantzler from Oregon State
Dantzler, a redshirt freshman from Oregon State, showed flashes in the spring game with multiple sacks. His role in 2026 might be limited, but he’s definitely a name to remember for later seasons.
Dantzler’s knack for getting after the quarterback on passing downs could make him a valuable piece for the Ducks.
Scott and Williams in the Secondary
Scott from Ohio State and Williams from Baylor join the secondary. Scott, a former 5-star recruit, will fight for a rotation spot at cornerback.
He had a tough spring game, but his pedigree suggests he could contribute a lot. Williams, who struggled with injuries at Baylor, is expected to start at nickel corner. If he can get back to his old form, Williams might fill the gap left by Jadon Canady.
Perich from Minnesota
Perich, a safety from Minnesota, looks like a plug-and-play starter for the Ducks. In 2025, he had 82 tackles, three tackles for loss, and one interception.
Perich brings athleticism and experience to the back end of Oregon’s defense. He’s expected to step into Dillon Thieneman’s hybrid safety role.
Special Teams Additions
Ettridge from Nevada
Ettridge, a 27-year-old punter from Nevada, will handle punting for the Ducks. He averaged 44.7 yards per punt, and his experience should make him a steady presence on special teams.
Todd and Emmett
Todd from Western Michigan and Emmett from Western Oregon/Nevada are joining the Ducks’ special teams unit. Todd, a seasoned long snapper, will take care of snapping duties.
Emmett is set to back up Gage Hurych at place kicker and might compete for kickoff specialist as well.
Future Prospects and Local Talent
Presley DeLance and Other Oregon Recruits
Looking ahead, the Ducks have made some real progress in local recruiting for the 2027 and 2028 cycles. Presley DeLance, a four-star tight end from Lake Oswego, stands out as one of the nation’s top prospects.
His recruitment keeps gaining momentum. Big programs like Auburn, Florida, and Georgia have all sent him offers.
DeLance has climbed to the No. 1 prospect spot in Oregon. That says a lot about the Ducks’ focus on locking down top local talent.
Oregon hasn’t stopped there. For the 2027 cycle, they’ve also landed Josiah Molden, Josh Christensen, Malachi Garlington, and George VanSandt.
These in-state recruits show Oregon’s determination to build a strong core with homegrown players.
Want more details on the Ducks’ transfer portal moves and future recruits? Check out the 247Sports article.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
