Will Oregon Ducks Football Set Another NFL Draft Record in 2025?

The Oregon football program may have the most Ducks ever drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft. Wide receiver Evan Stewart, cornerback Jabbar Muhammad, offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr., offensive tackle Ajani Cornelius, receiver Tez Johnson and quarterback Dillon Gabriel are currently the highest-rated NFL prospects for Oregon.
Oregon wide receiver Evan Stewart attempts to avoid defensive back Solomon Davis during practice with the Oregon Ducks Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex in Eugene, Ore.
Oregon wide receiver Evan Stewart attempts to avoid defensive back Solomon Davis during practice with the Oregon Ducks Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA

The Oregon Ducks had a program-high eight players drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft. Will the 2025 NFL Draft break that record of Ducks to the league?

Quite possibly.

Oregon wide receiver Evan Stewart attempts to avoid defensive back Solomon Davis during practice with the Oregon Ducks
Oregon wide receiver Evan Stewart attempts to avoid defensive back Solomon Davis during practice with the Oregon Ducks Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA

There were 257 players drafted in the seven rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft. Currently, the Ducks have nine athletes ranked within the top 218 NFL Draft prospects on NFL Draft Buzz. If all nine players are drafted in 2025, that would set Oregon's record for most ever.

At the top of the list is transfer wide receiver Evan Stewart, who is projected to be a first-round selection. The Ducks football program has not had a receiver drafted in thefirst round of the NFL Draft in decades. Stewart's position as the No. 4 best receiver and No. 26 prospect would put him projected within the first round's 32 draft picks.

Stewart transferred to Oregon this spring from Texas A&M and immediately made his goals known.

"I want to show that I am a jack of all trades," Stewart said. ".... (I want) That ball, man. I'm trying to get those passes."

Stewart’s red zone efficiency and acrobatics make him an intriguing NFL prospect. Stewart's ability to go up for deep balls with soft hands, makes tough catches look effortless.

Oregon senior receiver Tez Johnson also has first-round NFL Draft goals. In a perfect scenario, Johnson would join his adopted brother, quarterback Bo Nix, with coach Sean Payton's Denver Broncos.

"That's definitely a goal for me,” Johnson told Oregon SI's Bri Amaranthus. “I have the NFL logo on my wall, and a quote that says, 'To the one who believes, anything is possible.' I feel like if you believe you can achieve anything, including getting drafted in the first round as a receiver like me. I work hard and dedicate my life to it.”

Another Duck projected to be a first round NFL Draft selection is transfer cornerback Jabbar Muhammad. The Ducks football team has had a player drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft for five-years straight. Can Oregon extend the streak?

In order, Oregon's NFL draft prospects rankings:

No. 26 Wide Receiver Evan Stewart - who was most recently projected to be drafted by the Dallas Cowboys as a compliment to star receiver CeeDee Lamb.

No. 28 Cornerback Jabbar Muhammad

No. 56 Offensive Tackle Josh Conerly Jr.

No. 59 Offensive Tackle Ajani Cornelius

No. 61 Wide Receiver Tez Johnson

No. 80 Quarterback Dillon Gabriel

No. 146 Defensive Tackle Jamaree Caldwell

No. 190 Defensive End Jordan Burch

No. 218 Running Back Jordan James

Of course, a lot can change between now and April of 2025. However, Oregon's list of potential NFL Draft prospects is impressive and potentially a program record. Will that talent mesh together to compete in the Big Ten Conference and challenge in the College Football Playoff?


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Bri Amaranthus

BRI AMARANTHUS

Bri Amaranthus is an Emmy-winning sports reporter with over 12 years of experience in television, radio, podcasting, and digital sports journalism. She has been with Sports Illustrated for four years, providing breaking news, exclusive interviews, and analysis on the NFL, college sports, and the NBA. Prior to joining SI, Bri hosted NBC Sports Northwest's prime-time television show, where she also served as the Oregon beat reporter and created content covering both the NBA and college sports. Throughout her career, Bri has achieved significant milestones, including covering major events like the NBA Finals, NFL playoffs, College Football Playoff, NCAA Basketball Tournament, NFL Draft, and the NFL Combine. She earned a D1 scholarship to play softball at the University of San Diego and won two state softball titles in high school in Oregon. In addition to her Emmy win for NBC's All-Star Coach special, she has received multiple Emmy nominations, highlighting her dedication and talent in sports journalism.