The 2025 season hasn’t even been over for a month, and preparations have already begun for the 2026 season across college football. As part of that, ESPN released their way-too-early 2026 All-American team complete with first-team picks at every positions plus two players who were considered for the spot but ultimately didn’t make it.
There were two Oregon Ducks listed on the first team, while two others were considered.
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One of the biggest snubs that Duck fans may have an issue with was at the quarterback position. Instead of Dante Moore, who was widely expected to be the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft if he’d have declared, ESPN’s Mark Schlabach selected Texas’ Arch Manning as the first-team passer. Ohio State’s Julian Sayin was also considered for the spot, but in the end, both of the Big Ten’s top quarterbacks were spurned.
Another Duck who was spurned from the list was cornerback Brandon Finney Jr., who was beat out by Notre Dame’s Leonard Moore. The Fighting Irish standout was a unanimous All-American last season, making this an understandable pick but nonetheless one that could light a fire under Finney as Oregon in his preparations for the season.
While there were two Ducks under considerations, two other Ducks actually made the team: defensive tackle A’Mauri Washington and safety Koi Perich, a transfer from Minnesota.
“Washington is one of four Ducks defensive linemen who elected to come back in 2026,” Schlabach wrote. “Last season, his first as a full-time starter, Washington had 1.5 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss, five quarterback hurries and batted down eight passes. He is exceptionally quick at 330 pounds, which makes him tough to keep out of the backfield.”
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Washington was right there with Moore as a first-round talent in the 2026 draft, yet decided to run it back for one more season in Eugene. His return makes him the clear-cut top defensive tackle in the nation — especially with another season of starting experience under his belt.
Perich, meanwhile, is a bit of an unknown regarding how Oregon will deploy him. He was special with the Golden Gophers, contributing in all three phases and especially starring from his safety position.
“Perich did a little bit of everything at Minnesota in 2025,” Schlabach wrote. “He had 82 tackles, three tackles for loss and an interception on defense; caught seven passes for 89 yards on offense; and returned 19 kickoffs for 499 yards and 18 punts for 118. Now Ducks coach Dan Lanning gets a chance to utilize his athleticism in Eugene.”
Last season, the Ducks utitlized fellow transfer safety Dillon Thieneman in a number of ways on defense, as he was strong in run support while revealing himself as a ball-hawk with the ball in the air. While Perich doesn’t quite have the physical make-up of Thieneman, he’s faster and more rangy, potentially making way for a significant number of explosive plays in a Ducks uniform.
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Expectations are high for the Oregon Ducks as a whole in 2026, as the team has national championship aspirations. But it can’t be lost that individual players also are entering with those same expectations of themselves and from others — especially these four players who are expected to be amongst the top at their position in college football next season.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Two Duck defenders make ESPN’s way-too-early 2026 All-American team
