Offensive line a question mark for the Ducks entering 2026 season

There's not too many holes to poke for the Oregon Ducks as we inch closer to the 2026 season.

Sure, there's two new coordinators in Drew Mehringer and Chris Hampton. But head coach Dan Lanning has repeatedly tabbed the right guys in recent seasons, with three former coordinators — Kenny Dillingham, Tosh Lupoi and Will Stein — becoming head coaches elsewhere. Expectations remain high for Mehringer and Hampton to operate their units at a high level.

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And with a roster stacked with talent at nearly every position, the offensive line, which still has three spots unsettled with no officially named starter, has to take the cake for the shakiest position group on the team — despite the overall talent that is present.

CBS Sports' Brad Crawford tabbed the offensive line as something to hate for Oregon this season.

"Along the offensive front, Emmanuel Pregnon, Isaiah World and Alex Harkey are all now in the NFL, making spring practice an important evaluation period," he wrote. "Sophomore Fox Crader is next up at left tackle protecting Moore, and the Ducks hope Yale transfer Michael Bennett can lock down the other side. Left guard remains unsettled, though senior Kawika Rogers appears likely to beat out freshman Tommy Tofi in August."

During the spring game, the offensive line struggled mightily. Altogether, the defense recorded over ten sacks and repeatedly got home to the quarterback, ending a handful of plays before they could even really begin.

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Yes, it was just the spring game, where the weird, off-and-on physicality — or lack thereof — favors the defense. The combinations that were put on the field were wonky, as the roster was split into two even teams. And, after all, it was still the spring with several incoming freshman being put into tough positions against fellow blue-chip recruits.

Regardless, it was alarming how much trouble the defense gave the offensive line, and it didn't inspire much belief that the Ducks will continue on as a Joe Moore Award finalist for yet another year. But if one thing can be learned from Lanning over the years, he figures things out. The offensive line room is not bereft of talent; it'll just come down to the right combination of players and executing at a high level, and the Ducks should be just fine in the offensive trenches.

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Offensive line is something to hate about the Ducks entering 2026