JUST IN: Three Moves That Will Impact the Oregon Ducks

One of the best collegiate football teams with a wealth of returning players in 2024 is the Oregon Ducks. They also entered the transfer portal and placed playmakers on the offensive and defensive ends of the field. Three portal players that will be significant to the Ducks in 2024 are profiled below.

QB Dillon Gabriel

Previous School: Oklahoma Sooners

5’11”, 204 lbs.

Dillon Gabriel is a productive and experienced player for Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks.

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At Oklahoma in 2023, Gabriel completed 69% of his throws for 3,660 yards, 30 touchdowns, and just six interceptions (out of 384 pass attempts). Gabriel passed for 305 yards a game on average. These were sufficient to rank #6 in the FBS. He also scored 12 touchdowns and gained 373 yards in rushes.

Gabriel completed seven games with 300 yards or more passing, with three of those games surpassing 400 yards. He passed for five touchdowns in a game twice. During his distinguished collegiate tenure at Oklahoma and UCF, Gabriel amassed 14,865 passing yards, 115 touchdowns, and 26 interceptions.

Gabriel’s ability to prolong plays with his legs and his low turnover rate should have an instant effect on the Oregon attack. As he takes over for Bo Nix in the passing game, he will blend right in with Dan Lanning’s plan. QB1 Gabriel will start the season opener against Idaho.

WR Evan Stewart

Previous School: Texas A&M Aggies

6’0”, 175 lbs.

Dillon Gabriel and Dante Moore, two other transfer quarterbacks, will find Evan Stewart, the best wide receiver in the transfer portal, to be a skilled target.

Stewart caught 38 passes for 514 yards and four touchdowns in 2023. In the Canes’ defeat over Miami, Stewart hauled in 11 passes for 142 yards. In his limited collegiate career, he has amassed 1,163 yards, six touchdowns, and 91 receptions.

Stewart joins a very skilled and productive Eugene wide receiver group that includes Gary Bryant, Jr., Tez Johnson, and Traeshon Holden, all of whom are returning starters. Last season, the trio combined for 2,076 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 153 receptions.

CB Jabbar Muhammad

Previous School: Washington Huskies

5’10”, 183 lbs.

Jabbar Muhammad was a terrifying presence in the Washington secondary last season, earning a spot on the 2nd Team All-PAC 12 roster. The chances of an opponent quarterback completing a ball were eliminated by Muhammad’s covering abilities. Muhammad caught 16 passes in 2023, four of which came against Oregon State and three against Texas in the national semifinal.

Muhammad also recorded 46 tackles, two sacks, five tackles for loss, and three pass breakups. His two interceptions against Oregon State were a season best, and his three interceptions tied for first on the team.

Muhammad joins Brandon Johnson, Kobe Savage, and Kam Alexander—all transfer defensive backs. CB Jahlil Florence and S Tysheem Johnson are both back for the Ducks.