Considering the success that the Oregon Ducks had in 2025, it was no surprise to see a slew of players receive individual honors, whether it be through the Big Ten or national awards.
Nearly a week after the season has come to a close, five Ducks continue to be honored for their play after being named to ESPN’s top 100 players of the 2025 season.
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There are several obvious choices, as quarterback Dante Moore was one of the main drivers behind the offense’s success and is the highest-ranked Duck at No. 24 on the list.
“Moore took a gap year in 2024 at Oregon, and it paid off, as he helped the Ducks to an 11-1 regular-season record and two CFP victories,” ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg wrote. “Moore displayed incredible arm talent, recording six games with three or more touchdown passes. He engineered game-winning drives on the road against Penn State and Iowa, and eclipsed 70% completions in nine contests. Moore positioned himself as a top NFL draft pick but returned to Oregon after a rough performance in the CFP semifinal loss to Indiana.”
Right guard Emmanuel Pregnon was another gimme at No. 39, as he was a first-team All-American selection and anchored the Ducks’ offensive line that was top 30 in the country in both rushing and sacks allowed. The offensive line was also a Joe Moore Award finalist, with Pregnon having a significant hand.
Star tight end Kenyon Sadiq, a finalist for the Mackey Award, came in at No. 41 thanks to the impressive season that he had in terms of blocking and making acrobatic catches. He showcased himself as the top tight end in the 2026 draft class and is widely expected to be a top-15 pick come April.
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Next on the list was defensive tackle A’Mauri Washington, another Duck who was expected to be a first-rounder in 2026 but decided to return to Eugene for one more season, further bolstering Oregon’s chances of competing for a national title.
“He entered the season as the least-decorated Ducks defensive line starter and left as one of the most valuable, filling gaps and flustering quarterbacks,” Rittenberg wrote. “Washington earned third-team All-Big Ten honors and tied top cover corner Brandon Finney Jr. for the team lead in pass breakups (8), while tying for fourth in quarterback hurries (4.5). Alongside tackle Bear Alexander, Washington helped Oregon improve against the run. Washington was projected as a high NFL draft pick before returning with his linemates in 2026.”
Speaking of the defensive line, none of defensive tackle Bear Alexander or edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei or Teitum Tuioti made the list — but one more Duck defender did in safety Dillon Thieneman at No. 57.
Rittenberg lauded Thieneman’s standout production and leadership amongst a young Oregon secondary that flourished. His tackling ability (95 tackles in 2025) greatly helped the Ducks’ defense near the line of scrimmage, with his game-sealing interception against Penn State and Washington proving to be two of the most important plays of the season.
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All five Ducks ranked in the top 100 are set up for success next season. Each of Sadiq, Pregnon and Thieneman will push to be first-rounders with the latter two being sure-fire Day 2 picks if they aren’t picked on Day 1, while Moore and Washington are returning with a strong nucleus around them in order to compete for a championship.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Five Oregon Ducks named to ESPN’s top 100 players of the 2025 season
