Given the success achieved by Oregon Ducks in 2025, it was no surprise to see many players receive individual honors, whether through the Big Ten or national awards.
Nearly a week after the end of the season, five Ducks continue to be honored for their play after being named The 100 best ESPN players of the 2025 season.
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There are several obvious choices at quarterback Dante Moore has been a key driver of the offense’s success and is the highest-ranked Duck at 24th on the list.
“Moore took a year off in 2024 at Oregon, and it paid off, as he helped the Ducks go 11-1 in the regular season and two CFP wins,” wrote ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg. “Moore showed 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 percent completion 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 gift at No. 39, as he was a first-team All-American selection and anchored the Ducks’ offensive line that was among the top 30 in the country in rushing and sacks allowed. The offensive line was also a Joe Moore Award finalist, with Pregnon having a strong hand.
Tight star Kenyon Sadiqfinalist for the Mackey Award, ranked 41st thanks to his impressive season in terms of blocks and acrobatic receptions. He has profiled as the best tight end in the 2026 draft class and is widely expected to be a top-15 pick in April.
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Next on the list was defensive tackle A’Mauri Washingtonanother Duck who was projected to be a first-round pick in 2026 but decided to return to Eugene for one more season, boosting Oregon’s chances of competing for a national title.
“He entered the season as the least decorated starter on the Ducks defensive line and left as one of the most valuable, gap-filling, annoying quarterbacks,” Rittenberg wrote. “Washington earned third-team All-Big Ten honors and tied the top corner of the cover Brandon Finney Jr.. for the team leading in pass breakups (8), while being tied for fourth in quarterback hurries (4.5). Alongside the tackle Alexander BearWashington helped Oregon improve against the run. Washington was projected as a top NFL draft pick before returning with his teammates in 2026.”
Speaking of defensive line, no defensive tackle Bear Alexander or an edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei Or Teitum Tuioti made the list – but another Duck defender made it safely Dillon Thieneman at n°57.
Rittenberg praised Thieneman’s outstanding production and leadership among a young Oregon secondary that has thrived. His tackling ability (95 tackles in 2025) greatly aided the Ducks defense near the line of scrimmage, with his game-clinching 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 poised for success next season. Sadiq, Pregnon and Thieneman will strive to be the frontrunners, with the latter two being surefire Day 2 picks if not picked on Day 1, while Moore and Washington return with a strong core around them in order to compete for a championship.
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This article was originally published on Ducks Wire: Five Oregon Ducks named to ESPN’s Top 100 players of the 2025 season
