Over the past few years, even without a national championship, the University of Oregon football program has built a reputation as one of college football's most reliable pipelines to the NFL. From quarterbacks like Justin Herbert and Marcus Mariota to recent defensive talent like Christian Gonzalez, the Ducks have consistently sent players to the professional level. Much of that success has stemmed from strong recruiting, development, and a program that focuses on preparing players for the next level.
Recent numbers show how productive Oregon has been in producing NFL players. In the 2025 draft alone, the Ducks set a program record of 10 players selected, continuing the streak of at least six players drafted in the last three years. The program also produced two first-round picks, defensive lineman Derrick Harmon and offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. Historically, Oregon has had over 250 players selected in the NFL draft, including 25 first-round picks, which has helped reinforce the program’s reputation.
A major reason for the program’s recent rise is head coach Dan Lanning. Since taking over the program, Lanning and his coaching staff have emphasized player development. Draft selections have increased every season under his leadership, reflecting the coaching staff’s ability to develop and recruit players.
“That decision to come here, I believe, was one of the greatest decisions I made in my life,” offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon said. “I’m forever grateful for everybody who helped curate such an elite environment that allowed us so much success.”
Another key factor in Oregon’s success is its strength and conditioning program. Oregon players often test well in the NFL Combine and Pro Day, as tight end and next first-round pick Kenyon Sadiq ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, which is the fastest time ever recorded for a tight end at the combine. Oregon sent 12 players to the combine in 2025 and nine players this year, which demonstrates the depth of talent across the roster.
“There’s definitely room for improvement, but I definitely think I am one of, if not the best, blocking tight end in the class,” Sadiq said.
Recruiting has also played a major role in Oregon’s rise as a pipeline, as the Ducks have consistently brought in highly-ranked recruits and utilized the transfer portal to add talent. Recent prospects, including Sadiq, linebacker Bryce Boettcher, and wide receiver Malik Benson, have already gained significant attention from NFL scouts.
“Obviously, you guys didn’t know who I was three or four years ago, and here I am now,” Boettcher said. “There’s going to be some names coming out of that room that you guys should look out for.”
Sadiq is one of the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class. After working his way into a starting role, Sadiq delivered a breakout season in 2025 with 51 receptions for 560 yards and eight touchdowns, as he is tied for the second most in a season by an Oregon tight end. Over his three-year career in Eugene, Sadiq totaled 80 catches for 892 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning First-Team All-Big Ten honors and Big Ten tight end of the year. He is projected as a first-round pick and top tight end in the draft due to his athleticism and ability to line up in multiple positions.
“You can only control what you can control,” Sadiq said of managing draft expectations. “The combine environment, this environment, is just executing. Then just build relationships with teams and see what it takes.”
Boettcher has emerged as one of the defensive leaders in Oregon. During the 2024 season, he recorded 94 tackles, eight for loss, and one interception, becoming one of the most productive defenders on Oregon’s roster, a performance he carried into the 2025 season. Originally a walk-on, Boettcher's rise to becoming one of the team’s leaders earned him the Burlsworth Trophy in 2024, which is awarded to the most outstanding player who started their career as a walk-on.
Also a former baseball player who was drafted by the Houston Astros, Boettcher is known for his instincts and an ability to diagnose plays quickly, which scouts have highlighted.
“I’d say a big part of doing this kind of work is the mental game,” Boettcher said. “Obviously, you want to be warmed up enough, but you don't want to be too amped up. You've got to just have a clear mind.”
Benson shows another example of how talent at Oregon has developed as a transfer into the program. Previously at Alabama and Florida State, Benson immediately made an impact during his first season at Oregon, recording 43 receptions for 719 yards and six touchdowns while averaging over 16 yards per catch. His ability to stretch the field and produce explosive plays made him an important part to the Ducks' offense. Although he is projected as a late-round pick, his speed and production are something scouts have been focusing on.
“Not once did I ever doubt myself and tell myself not to do it,” Benson said. “I’m just trusting the process of knowing that eventually all my hard work is going to come alive.”
As more Ducks succeed in moving on to the next level, the program's reputation continues to grow. This strengthens recruiting classes and maintains the cycle of talent moving from Eugene to the NFL. Oregon’s rise as an NFL pipeline is due to a complete system with new prospects continuing to emerge each year. The Ducks show no signs of slowing down their path to the NFL.