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Defensive Coordinator Chris Hampton meets with the media following Fall Practice #2 for Oregon Football.

CHRIS HAMPTON: OREGON WANTS TO BE “THE TOUGHEST TEAM ON THE FIELD” AND FEARED IN 2026The Ducks are ahead of schedule after two practices, but their new defensive coordinator says elite status will require more havoc, red-zone stops, role flexibility and daily competition throughout the depth chart. Oregon’s experience has allowed Chris Hampton to move faster through the opening days of fall camp. It has not allowed anyone to skip the competition. After the Ducks’ second practice, Hampton described a defense capable of absorbing more information, cross-training more players and installing a larger portion of the scheme than would have been imaginable this early in camp earlier in his coaching career. Chris Hampton: Oregon wants to be “the toughest team on t...Oregon Ducks football, Dan Lanning, Oregon recruiting, college football, NIL, Big Ten, Pac-12, Scott Reed, Duck Sports Central, recruiting news

Obviously, no one likes injuries. In fact, I'd rather beat a team's best. Killian was a walk on who was under sized. He gave it his all with what he had. Very heady player. He was sub par to average at pass blocking and average at run blocking. Unfortunately his best games were against poor teams. Against the elite he broke down. Not sure who will be plugged in (I know the names but there are several) yet none of them I consider to be good, probably the same or slightly better. What this may do is make their depth of experienced players thin because the leading candidate is a starting guard.

It always helps Jon to read and assess the comments here. Glad you added filler to his experience. Though we got limited coverage in this year's Spring Game, I saw some things that concerned me. I highly doubt we are going to see the same elements of last year's defense. If so I do have some concerns as in my opinion there are natural flaws with the way we execute the Bear defense. I have done some research and discovered there are "rules" in place that govern how the defense is run, and why the elite teams are able to exploit those governing weaknesses. The rules also explain how OBD were able to stomp on lessor capable opponents that did have firepower (see Texas Tech for instance). Of course, I am not going to criticize Lanning for running what he wants to run-not only has he been successful, he deserves that right because he runs the ship. If he is going to go down, he deserves the blessings of running it the way he wants to. It will not stop me from expressing concerns about possible flaws or weaknesses. Which of course DOES NOT MEAN I AM CORRECT. For me, Koi is going to need very good closing speed to cover the amount of area the defense and defensive strategy requires. Thieneman had trouble with that at times, but he was an absolute ball hawk. His instincts were spot on. Koi will need those same instincts.

With direct payments and NIL deals, if you are instrumental to your team in whatever sport and not a certain top draft choice in your sport, why not stick around, get paid, and be a hero for another season? Guys on the football roster shown as Juniors are now Sophomores or whatever the 5-year equivalent of a 3rd-year player may be. Redshirt freshmen are simply 2nd-year players. In addition to unregulated CFB free agency, 5 for 5 will have an impact on rosters across all college sports. A federal judge in Denver, not a state judge, just added Indiana's best DL player from last season, Stephen Daley, to this season's roster. Daley was hurt in a post-game conference champ game accident. I may eat these words, but I'm happy that he gets another season. Fortunately, and at the request of the NCAA on its appeal of the decision, the judge amended her ruling to give only players still in school another year of eligibility. Joe Natham cannot suit up for Bama. 😁

No matter the opponent, I hate to see CFB players injured. By far, the worst part of the game. Why do you think the back up could be better? Thanks.

Here is my story from Oregon’s second day of fall camp with a lot of great stuff from Oregon defensive coordinator @Coach_CHampton “We want to be the toughest team on the field, and we want to be feared when we play football games.” Chris Hampton: Oregon wants to be “the toughest team on t...Oregon Ducks football, Dan Lanning, Oregon recruiting, college football, NIL, Big Ten, Pac-12, Scott Reed, Duck Sports Central, recruiting news

The new rule of five years of total eligibility sure changes a ton, but it also could help develop depth beyond what we had before. So many times a player was not played for even a play in a fifth game to preserve the redshirt, and now--it doesn't matter. You have five years total, and they can play you just a few plays per game the entire season, and nothing is changed with your eligibility. This means coaches can slip true freshmen into occasional plays more often and let them experience game-speed, which will help their development and give the coaches more film to evaluate talent, and to help teach. We could see a ton more short-stints by true freshmen this year as a result of this new rule, and forgot how it pleases us fans as well to see them in games!

USC just lost its starting offensive center for the year. Actually in a weird way this may be good news for them. The backup may be better.

Did you hear/see what the new Purdue AD said at his introduction press conference. Evidently, he doesn't know ANYTHING about recent college football, including his own team . . . "“Every recruit, every student-athlete will hear this message repeatedly: we are here to win championships. If you don’t want to win championships, go to Indiana”. Last two IU v Purdue "games", 56 - 3 & 66 - 0.

ESPN faces backlash over unchecked SEC bias, stirring questions about college football media narratives. The Big 10 Squad debates Peter Burns’ misleading SEC vs. Big Ten strength of schedule claims, examining how media giants influence perceptions and why networks like Fox and CBS hesitate to match ESPN’s promotional energy for the Big Ten. Ohio State’s and Penn State’s identical 9.5 win totals spark heated predictions. The roundtable breaks down Ryan Day’s daunting schedule—including Texas, USC, Oregon, and Michigan—and evaluates whether the Buckeyes can surpass lofty expectations or stumble amid fierce competition. Insights into Penn State’s revamped roster, key transfers, and Big Ten title aspirations add intrigue. Will Ohio State’s offensive line issues cost them a playoff shot, or does Jeremiah Smith’s star power make the difference? The hosts weigh bold over/under picks for the season ahead.

Four-Star Oregon Commit Cameron Wagner Makes Key Recruiting UpdateThe Oregon Ducks earned some relieving news involving a prized blue-chip recruit they prioritized. Prized offensive tackle Cameron Wagner of St. Joseph-Ogden in Illinois first made waves by committing to Oregon on The Pat McAfee Show back in May 2026. However, schools didn't let off on the gas pedal in trying to force him to decommit. But the 6-6, 300-pounder delivered the news that he's shutting down his commitment in a post that will energize Duck fans for the class of 2027: Oregon Ducks On SIFour-Star Oregon Commit Cameron Wagner Makes Key Recruiti...The Oregon Ducks launched 2026 fall camp with new energy, especially in welcoming 24 incoming freshmen ready to turn heads. Yet coach Dan Lanning and the staff

Hey quit picking on the SEC. I just read where so far in the 2026 season all of their top 25 teams are undefeated and the BIG hasn't played any ranked teams yet.

How many top 25 opponents will the Coaches Preseason Poll top 25 teams play in 2026? More evidence for a 24-team PO field instead of trusting SEC-centric voters who do their business in the dark. On3College Football Coaches Poll: How many games Top 25 team...The college football coaches poll is out, and On3 broke down how many games the Top 25 teams will play against preseason-ranked teams.

I will be quite a feat to put together a working, unified team when you are bringing in 88 new players. Perhaps by mid-season they will start to mesh. Regardless: Beat the Broncos and Crush the Cowboys!

A Diaper Dandy - If you're good enough ... Oregon Ducks On SIOregon’s Newest Five-Star Receiver Wastes No Time at Fall...EUGENE - The Oregon Ducks football team started their fall practices on Wednesday in what coach Dan Lanning called "one of my favorite parts of the year." Lanni

The two opening games for Oregon in 2026 are flying under many early out-of-conference (OOC) games, including Week 2 games that see Ohio State at Texas and Oklahoma at Michigan. Understood and to be expected. Oregon's two opening out-of-conference (OOC) matchups are not an Indiana, USC, Nebraska, U Who, or Penn State OOC cupcake fest. Oregon is 1-3 against Boise State, the highest-ranked G6 team in most preseason polls, coming to Eugene with a veteran QB in Maddux Madsen and a quality coach in Spencer Danielson. The line of Oregon -24.5 is IMO out of line, especially with three new starters on the Oregon O-line. The Week 2 game against the Cowboys in Oklahoma State's T. Boone Pickens Stadium will be played in a madhouse that comes close to bringing the same decibels 'heard' in Autzen Stadium. The Paddle People sit on top of the visiting team, while they maniacally bang their paddles on the stadium walls in support of their Cowboys. The Oregon game is the home opener for Oklahoma State, the debut for Coach Morris and his North Texas West team in Stillwater. The starting QB, Drew Mestemaker, led FBS in passing yards in 2025, throwing for over 4,000 yards. Much of Mestemaker's Mean Green supporting cast on offense came west with Morris and Mestemaker. With an 11 AM start time in Stillwater, this is the first 9 AM body clock kickoff for Oregon in 2026. I expect the Ohio State game will kickoff at Noon Eastern. Students are being encouraged to pull an all-nighter with adult beverages on hand to promote rowdy support for their Cowboys. OBD scalped The Mullet 69-3 last season; I doubt the Cowboys fans will need much encouragement to be fired up and freaked out. Another optimistic line for OBD, -19.5. I expect Oregon will win both of the opening games, but if Oregon does not cover in one or both contests, many college fans will assume Oregon is overrated. That's fine, eh; it's a 12-game regular season with attention-getting games remaining at USC, at Ohio State, and home against Michigan. Beat Boise! AP NewsWith a slew of fresh faces, new Oklahoma State football c...New Oklahoma State football coach Eric Morris was busy bringing people together long before fall camp started Wednesday.

Jordon Davison eyes ‘role model’ status in Oregon's new-look RB room https://duckswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/ducks/football/2026/08/06/oregon-football-jordon-davison-role-model-fall-camp/91182652007/

Oregon opens fall camp as Dan Lanning challenges Ducks to develop more leadersDan Lanning discusses Oregon’s conditioning, leadership, versatility and offensive line competition following the Ducks’ first practice of 2026 fall camp. https://247sports.com/college/oregon/article/oregon-opens-fall-camp-as-dan-lanning-challenges-ducks-to-develop-more-leaders-288735818/

GREAT EXPECTATIONS: OREGON PUTS ITS CHAMPIONSHIP VISION WHERE PLAYERS CAN SEE IT EVERY DAYDan Lanning introduced the Harada Method to help the Ducks connect their largest goals to daily actions involving football, consistency, leadership and even how they treat the people around them. Oregon’s players do not have to search far to find a reminder of what they want to accomplish this season. They see it when they open their lockers. They encounter it inside team and position meeting rooms. Some have also created personal versions built around their own goals. The Ducks are using the Harada Method, a goal-setting system associated with a vision board Shohei Ohtani created as a teenager, to connect their biggest ambitions to the smaller actions required each day. Dan Lanning said the idea developed through conversations with Cory Schaefer, who works with the team on offseason messaging, and local contact Jamon Yei. Great Expectations: Oregon puts its championship vision w...Oregon Ducks football, Dan Lanning, Oregon recruiting, college football, NIL, Big Ten, Pac-12, Scott Reed, Duck Sports Central, recruiting news

Ranking the 10 best secondaries in college football for 2026: Lots of good options, but Notre Dame is No. 1Notre Dame, Miami and Oregon headline the defensive backfields best equipped to shut down opposing passing attacks.A dominant secondary is a defensive coordinator's best friend. When a team has defensive backs who can hold up in man coverage, make plays on the football and erase explosive passing plays, it gives the entire defense a chance to dictate the game. These 10 teams don't just have one standout defensive back. Each possesses talent, versatility and depth in bunches. Here are the 10 best secondaries in college football. https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/ranking-10-best-secondaries-college-football-2026/

Iverson Hooks following Tez Johnson's path to OregonIt's not hard to make the comparisons. Both Iverson Hooks and Tez Johnson stand at about 5-foot-10 and weigh around 165-175 pounds. Both hail from Alabama, where they broke out at smaller schools — Johnson at Troy and Hooks at UAB. Both got a call from the Oregon Ducks after entering the transfer portal, and jumped at the opportunity to play for their "dream school" across the country. For Hooks, there's pressure from the outside for him to become everything that Tez was in Eugene. Internally, though, it's about doing everything he can to help propel Oregon forward, while remaining who he is at heart. “I don't let it really put too much pressure on myself because I like being myself," Hooks said at Oregon's Media Day. "I'm just satisfied and grateful to be able to be in the same conversation as a great receiver like Tez. Both being from Alabama, I just look up to his footsteps and hope that I can carry on in his shoes." https://duckswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/ducks/football/2026/08/06/oregon-football-iverson-hooks-dream-school-tez-johnson/91180680007/

Media Day Notes: Oregon’s young stars are ready for moreOregon’s young talent enters 2026 with something it did not have last year. After freshmen were forced into major roles during a playoff season, the Ducks believe experience, deeper knowledge of the system and a better understanding of the details can unlock their next step. Media Day Notes: Oregon’s young stars are ready for moreOregon Ducks football, Dan Lanning, Oregon recruiting, college football, NIL, Big Ten, Pac-12, Scott Reed, Duck Sports Central, recruiting news

Media Day Notes: Oregon’s young stars are ready for moreOregon’s young talent enters 2026 with something it did not have last year. After freshmen were forced into major roles during a playoff season, the Ducks believe experience, deeper knowledge of the system and a better understanding of the details can unlock their next step.Media Day Notes: Oregon’s young stars are ready for moreOregon Ducks football, Dan Lanning, Oregon recruiting, college football, NIL, Big Ten, Pac-12, Scott Reed, Duck Sports Central, recruiting news