Every year at the Oregon Ducks spring game, fans leave Autzen Stadium buzzing about someone.
Last year it was transfer running back Jay Harris who turned heads with some impressive running, and a year before that, it was Tez Johnson who announced his presence, dazzling throughout the day. A couple of years before that, Troy Franklin’s breakout as a true freshman set up what would eventually become a historic career in Eugene.
It’s safe to say that the spring game provides an excellent platform for young players to show who’s next. Whether it’s on the offense or defense, fans get a chance to see all of the newcomers and returners show off what they can do, and where they’ve improved over the offseason.
Going into the 2025 spring game this Saturday, there are a ton of candidates for breakout stars. With so many young players on the roster who lack extensive game experience at Oregon, there’s a good chance fans will leave talking about multiple players from the scrimmage, impressed with what they showed.
Let’s go through who we think those players will be.
WR Dakorien Moore
This is almost too easy of an answer. The 5-star freshman wide receiver who was ranked as the No. 4 player in the nation is obviously who many Oregon fans are coming to see on Saturday. Dakorien Moore has been garnering a ton of buzz in spring camp from both players and coaches alike, so getting a chance to see what he can do on the field is going to be fun for everyone involved. With a wide open receiving room this year, Moore could quickly insert himself into the picture. His potential takeover in Eugene might start on Saturday.
QB Dante Moore
On the surface, it may not seem as if Dante Moore qualifies as a breakout candidate, since he is thought by many to be the starting QB for the team. Still, considering that we haven’t seen much of anything from him since his freshman year at UCLA, there’s a chance that he steals the show and airs it out in the scrimmage.
RB Da’Jaun Riggs
Da’Jaun Riggs impressed in his limited action as a true freshman, and has a lot of fans talking about his upside this coming season in a crowded running back room. While a lot of eyes will be on Tulane transfer Makhi Hughes this Saturday to see what he can bring to Oregon’s offense, Riggs is going to garner a lot of attention and has a chance to seal the show with some impressive runs.
CB Ify Obidegwu
The cornerback room is as wide open as it gets for the Ducks this offseason, with both sides of the field needing new starters. Redshirt freshman Ify Obidegwu is among the many young players who have been drawing at on of buzz this spring, and with a solid outing, he could take a lead in the clubhouse for one of the starting spots.
DL A’Mauri Washington
Oregon’s defensive line lost a lot of veteran playmakers with Derrick Harmon, Jordan Burch, and Jamaree Caldwell all taking off for the NFL, but a whole host of new guys are ready to step in and take over. One of those guys is A’mauri Washington, who had some solid production last year but now has a chance to be the guy for the Ducks up front.
S Kingston Lopa
While Purdue transfer Dillon Thieneman will lock down one safety spot for the Ducks, it will be interesting to see who steps up next to him. It feels as if Kingston Lopa and Peyton Woodyard are the leading candidates, and Lopa has been garnering a ton of positive attention from coaches and players this spring. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least to hear his name a lot on Saturday.
TE Kenyon Sadiq
If Kenyon Sadiq has a big game on Saturday, does it really count as a breakout? That’s a real debate that we can have. In his career at Oregon, he has had limited production — 29 catches for 332 yards and 3 TDs — in limited opportunity. Compared to the ceiling that fans know is there with Sadiq, you could argue that a huge game from Sadiq would be considered a breakout. Still, if you think the Ducks’ TE is above inclusion on this list, I don’t think I can disagree with you.
WR Cooper Perry
While all of the talk has been about freshman receiver Dakorien Moore, fellow Class of 2025 WR Cooper Perry has been garnering quite a bit of buzz this spring as well. Perry has quickly developed a reputations for being a sure-handed target who routinely comes down with contested catches in traffic. Don’t be surprised if he shows a bit of that on Saturday.
EDGE Elijah Rushing
Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti are the known commodities on the edge for Oregon, but Elijah Rushing is the former 5-star ready for a chance to show what he can do. After bulking up this offseason, Rushing is in a prime position to have a stellar season and take over as the next dominant pass-rusher in Eugene alongside Uiagalelei.
WR Jeremiah McClellan
Jeremiah McClellan had a quiet 2024 season in a crowded WR room, but with an open path to a starting spot, this could be the year where he steps into the lime light and establishes himself as one of the main options on this offense. He has the size and the talent to be a difference maker, and on Saturday we hope to see him get the opportunity to show what he can bring to the table.
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