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Ross Douglas is entering his second season as Oregon Ducks wide receivers coach, and one of Oregon’s biggest key returners this season is wide receiver Evan Stewart, who missed all of 2025 with a knee injury.
Evan Stewart's Leadership on Display
Dec 30, 2024; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Evan Stewart (7) poses during Rose Bowl media day at Sheraton Grand LA. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect
On Friday, Ross Douglas spoke to reporters about what Stewart returning this season means to this team. He also touched on the leadership role Stewart has taken on since sitting out last season.
“Definitely seen it continue. It’s been like that ever since he decided to go come back since January. He’s had a great attitude. Great mentality. He’s been a really good leader for our guys in the room,” Douglas said. “It’s a pleasure to work with him everyday.”
2026 will be the third season in Eugene for Stewart, who began his collegiate career with the Texas A&M Aggies. That’s where he played in 2022 and 2023 before entering the portal and transferring to Oregon.
In Stewart’s first season with Oregon in 2024, he had 48 receptions for 613 yards and five touchdowns. He looked poised to be even better in 2025. Unfortunately, Stewart suffered a torn patellar tendon injury that ended his 2025 season before it could even started. He’ll be ready for the 2026 season opener against the Boise State Broncos.
Oregon wide receivers coach Ross Douglas works with players during Oregon’s spring game on April 26, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
2025 was Douglas’s first year as Oregon’s wide receivers coach after previously being the wide receivers coach for the Syracuse Orange in 2024 and the wide receivers coach for the New England Patriots in 2023.
The Ducks wide receiver room has the potential to be among the best in the country this season. In addition to getting Stewart back, Oregon is returning these key contributors from 2025.
Sophomore wide receiver Dakorien Moore was Oregon’s highest ranked recruit in the 2025 high school recruiting class. The former five-star prospect had 34 receptions for 497 yards and three touchdowns as a true freshman. With some experience now under his belt, hopes are high that Moore will be able to take the next step to being the go-to target for the Oregon offense.
Nov 14, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Dakorien Moore (1) watches teammates warm up before a game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Wide receiver Jeremiah McClellan is entering year three with Oregon. Last season, he had 38 receptions for 557 yards and three touchdowns. No returning player on Oregon had more receiving yards than McClellan last season.
The quarterback that will be delivering this unit passes in week one is Dante Moore. This is Moore’s third season in Eugene and his second as the starter. Moore started all 15 games for Oregon in 2025, helping lead them to a 13-2 record and an appearance in the College Football Playoff semifinal.
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore speaks during a press conference on Aug. 18, 2026, at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex in Eugene, Oregon. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Moore threw for 3,565 yards with 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He was named Third-team All-Big Ten. Following the season, there was speculation that Moore might end up declaring the 2026 NFL Draft because of him being a projected top five pick.
Moore decided to return to Oregon for another season, which will be a big help to the Ducks’ wide receivers room and the offense as a whole.
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