Oregon Ducks' Most Important Returning Factor

Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti

The 1-2 punch of the senior outside linebacker duo in Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti will be the faces of the defensive end room in Eugene, Oregon. That pair will be the foundation of the newly-appointed Hampton's group in the middle.

Tuioti was awarded All-Big Ten Third Team honors in the 2025 season, while Uiagalelei was named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention. The two combined for 102 total tackles, 15.5 sacks, eight pass deflections, and two forced fumbles.

Jerry Mixon

Senior inside linebacker Jerry Mixon also announced that he would be returning to the Pacific Northwest with expectations of an even more expanded role.

Mixon has tallied 65 tackles (34 solo, 31 assisted), seven pass deflections, two interceptions, and 1.5 sacks throughout his collegiate career thus far. Based on the production in the given snaps this past season, he's poised for a national breakout year inside Autzen Stadium alongside the tenacity of Uiagalelei and Tuioti.

A'Mauri Washington and Bear Alexander

Can't forget to mention senior defensive lineman A'mauri Washington and redshirt senior defensive lineman Bear Alexander, each well over 300 pounds, who do heaps of the dirty work that goes unnoticed to the masses. Their explosiveness and overall physicality make them intimidating figures in their respective roles.

More Returning, New Pieces on Oregon's Defensive Line

As for the promising underclassmen returning on the 2026 roster, there are plenty of them to go around.

• Sophomore outside linebacker Nasir Wyatt
• Redshirt sophomore outside linebacker Elijah Rushing
• Sophomore inside linebacker Gavin Nix
• Redshirt sophomore inside linebacker Brayden Platt
• Redshirt sophomore inside linebacker Dylan Williams

The Ducks will have some new faces from across the country on the defensive front, coming out of the NCAA transfer portal.

• North Carolina Tar Heels junior D'Antre Robinson
• Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks redshirt senior Jerome Simmons
• Howard Bison redshirt senior Derrick Brown Jr.
• Oregon State Beavers redshirt freshman Bleu Dantzler

Looking even further down the road with Oregon's pressure on the ball, these are the names from the incoming 2026 recruiting class. The entire class, with all positions, is ranked No. 4 in the country and No. 3 in the Big Ten, according to Rivals.

• Four-star EDGE Anthony 'Tank" Jones
• Four-star linebacker Braylon Hodge
• Four-star EDGE Prince Tavizon
• Four-star defensive lineman Tony Cumberland
• Three-star linebacker Tristan Phillips
• Three-star EDGE Dutch Horisk
• Three-star defensive lineman Anthony Jones

One can make the case that this whole group will be even stronger and deeper than last season's team, which made the College Football Playoff semifinals, with a healthy mix of returning veterans acting as defensive leaders, experienced talent in the trenches, and skilled freshmen with untapped potential.

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