When star wide receiver Evan Stewart went down with a tough injury setback, Oregon fans felt that collective stomach drop only college football can provide. Stewart was expected to be a keystone in the Ducks’ high-powered 2025 offense, stretching the field, punishing secondaries, and hauling in everything Dante Moore could throw his way. Now that production (and those expectations) have to land elsewhere. With Stewart sidelined, Oregon’s WR corps is under pressure to deliver now.
And everyone has their eyes locked on the super hyped Dakorien Moore. The 5-star true freshman and former Texas high school standout walked into Eugene with all the recruiting hype, but now? Now he’s staring down real reps, real game plans, and a very real challenge, filling the production gap Stewart leaves behind. The Ducks’ WR room in 2025 is deep in talent but light on experience, which means guys like Moore have got to grow fast, and the good news for Duck fans? He is.
According to starting quarterback Dante Moore, the rookie WR is rising to the challenge. “He’s grown being more vocal. Especially to me with certain looks and certain things he gets,” Dante said to reporters on media day. “I remember when he first got here, I was doing most of the talking…he’s young, and he’s learning things now.”
The chemistry between the two got a major boost during offseason reps in Texas and on flights with new play installs, apparently. “We were on the flight from Salt Lake to here… so I’m like, alright, it’s time to quiz him.” Classic QB move. But Moore passed the test. “He has a full grasp of it now. He’s a great learner, and he’s very competitive.”
Dante continued praising the young receiver’s football IQ and drive. “We were out there just throwing at the high school and getting closer and closer,” Moore added, hinting at their growing rhythm. Dakorien is evolving into a reliable, disciplined contributor in a system that demands precision and trust. Getting on the same page with your starting quarterback in July?
That’s a starter behavior. Also, it’s really interesting to see how Dante is also evolving into a better leader and taking the charge head-on. If this is how the chemistry is between all the players, then the environment of the locker room cannot be better. And due credit to Moore for making it happen and stepping up as the leader.
So yeah, losing Stewart hurts. But Oregon might have something brewing in Dakorien Moore that this offense wasn’t counting on this early. If he can keep stacking these camp practices and turn chemistry into production, the Ducks may not just survive without Stewart; they might discover a whole new weapon in the process. College football always tests your depth, and the Ducks’ response might just come from one Moore.
Evan Stewart’s injury update
Oregon’s offense took a major hit this offseason when senior wide receiver Evan Stewart tore his patellar tendon in early June, putting his entire 2025 season in jeopardy. The former Texas A&M transfer had been projected to spearhead the Ducks’ air attack this fall, after leading the squad last year with 613 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Now sidelined with a knee injury that could keep him out for anywhere from six to twelve months, Stewart’s future is uncertain, both for Oregon’s upcoming campaign and his long-term plans in college football. A redshirt year or an early leap to the NFL Draft are both very real possibilities.
In the meantime, Stewart’s become a behind-the-scenes warrior, documenting his rehab journey on Instagram. “Mentally, it’s just been long. It’s just a bunch of time occupied,” he shared in a recent post, along with the caption, “I mean, God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers, am I right?” For a player whose college career has been disrupted by injuries, including a lower back issue that kept him out of the Rose Bowl, the mental grind adds another tough layer to the physical recovery.
Still, someone’s got to replace Stewart’s production on the field, and that’s where Dakorien Moore steps in. Dakorein has been quickly earning trust from quarterback Dante Moore during the offseason, and with Stewart sidelined, the urgency just got real. What might have been a developmental year for the newcomer is rapidly turning into a pivotal role in Oregon’s offensive scheme. With Moore’s competitiveness and rising confidence backed by Dante’s vote of approval, Oregon may already be developing its next go-to receiver, even as one star works his way back.
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