McLaughlin: Did Oregon Just Tip its Hand in the Secondary?
By SPENCER McLAUGHLIN
Contributor, 750 The Game.com
Being an elite college athlete in 2026 pays well. I’m not aware of the specifics of Dante Moore’s NIL deal with Oregon, but based on market value of other QBs in the country I’m guessing his deal with the Ducks is in the $4-5 million range.
Do you think his mind wanders a bit whilst in class?
Nike recently announced a lineup of NIL deals with some of the most elite players in college football. The Oregon players included Dante Moore, Dakorien Moore, Jordon Davison, and Brandon Finney. All are established stars and essential to the Ducks’ pursuit of a national championship in 2026.
Oh, I forgot one!
5-star true freshman safety Jett Washington is on the list as well. The 6’5” defensive back prospect is among the most unique players Dan Lanning has brought into Eugene. I was more than a little surprised to see his name included next to the lineup of proven and experienced players. Other names across the country included in this deal are Ohio State 5-star freshman WR Chris Henry Jr. and Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss.
Is the talented freshman about to have a breakout season?
Washington is a unique prospect. His athleticism and range will allow him to be an imposing and impactful player on the back end of Dan Lanning’s defense. He has the physical tools to play a lot of different positions. I wonder if Lanning and new full-time DC Chris Hampton are going to view him as a do-it-all guy that can move around or if they want to lock him into one role in the secondary.
Should Aaron Flowers be on high alert?
John Canzano reported that the Texas native received a sizable offer to go and start for Texas Tech this offseason when the transfer portal was buzzing. He’s still on Oregon’s roster, which means one of two things are true: Either he doesn’t much value money and is all about playing for the team that won the Orange Bowl last year, or the Ducks matched the offer.
Oregon’s other likely starting safety this offseason will be Minnesota transfer Koi Perich. He comes to Eugene after two years with the Golden Gophers, and he was the top transfer portal safety this cycle according to 247Sports. I can’t see a world where he is benched for anyone, let alone a true freshman.
Is this just a long-term play?
Jett Washington is the nephew of the late Kobe Bryant. Nike still has a deal with Bryant’s estate to continue marketing the products made in his name. I have no idea if Phil Knight was a thought or a factor in Washington’s recruitment to Oregon, but I can imagine the connection to the shoe giant in Eugene was at least a thought on his mind.
The mega company’s presence has now resulted in an NIL deal for a player who hasn’t yet played a snap of college football. Oregon has a starting spot open for 2026 at the nickel position in the secondary–could Washington live up to the billing from some scouts and play like his NFL comparison, Nick Emmanwori? The Seahawks’ rookie DB shined this past year and was lining up all over the field. Maybe the 5-star is, well, appropriately scouted.
This could be nothing, or something as simple as a long-term play as a part of the modern era of constant recruitment of players. Coaches that don’t can lose high-end caliber players to the transfer portal. Dan Lanning has still yet to lose a starter to the transfer portal. The balance of keeping an eye on the future while managing the present continues to be a bafflingly hard dynamic for a coach to have to manage. Dan Lanning seems to be doing alright.
He’s probably just thinking about the future while living in the present. Anyway, less than 50 days to football.
Spencer McLaughlin is an Oregon Ducks football contributor to 750 The Game. He also hosts the “Locked On Oregon Ducks” and “Locked On College Football” podcasts and has work featured throughout the season here.