Next generation takes flight: Oregon’s youthful roster impresses in week one as Dan Lanning bear's the fruit of his recruiting labor

From there, more young talent kept pouring in. Dierrie Hill, Jordon Davison, Da’Jaun Riggs, Jeremiah McClellan, Cooper Perry, Kingston Lopa, Na’eem Offord, Nasir Wyatt, and Peyton Woodyard all earned meaningful snaps. Importantly, these weren’t late-game cameos once the score was out of hand — Oregon’s young core played a massive role in buildingthe commanding lead.

Afterward, Lanning praised his roster’s depth and readiness. “If you’re good enough, you’ll get an opportunity to play. We have a lot of guys who are good enough right now,” he said.

A Roster Built for Now and the Future

Since taking over in 2022, Lanning has steadily retooled the Ducks’ roster to fit his system. Going into 2025, the result is clear: Oregon has one of the country's deepest collections of young talent.

The significance of Saturday’s performance goes beyond just beating Montana State. It showed that the Ducks’ and redshirt freshman classes aren’t simply developing behind the scenes — they’re ready to contribute immediately, and at a high level.

Oregon’s proven veterans will always set the tone, but the emergence of so many underclassmen raises the Ducks’ ceiling for this season. These young playmakers allow Lanning to rotate fresh legs, adapt to different matchups, and maintain an aggressive style of football for four quarters.

The Ducks already looked like a playoff contender entering the season. With a wave of freshmen making an impact from the opening week, Oregon’s potential looks even greater.

The youth movement in Eugene isn’t just the future — it’s happening right now. And if Week 1 was any indication, it could be the key to Oregon making a serious run in 2025.