After a stellar performance from top-to-bottom in 2025, the Oregon Ducks' secondary in 2026 will look much different.
The Ducks allowed just 157.9 passing yards per game, the fourth-lowest amount in all the FBS. They were also tied for No. 14 in the country while snagging 15 interceptions through 15 games played in 2025.
New co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Chris Hampton, right, joins the first practice of spring for Oregon football as they prepare for the 2023 season. | Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK Amongst all the different Big Ten secondaries in the 2025 season, Oregon had the lowest catch rate allowed, according to Pro Football Focus., which gave up just 273.7 total yards of offense per game during their 13-2 overall finish, will look very different in 2026. That comes especially in the secondary.Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman reacts after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images | James Lang-Imagn ImagesJunior defensive back Dillon Thieneman, whose work ethic was unmatched during his lone season in Eugene, Oregon, has entered his name in the 2026 NFL Draft. He's expected to be taken on the second day in either the second or third round.After transferring in from the Big Ten's Purdue Boilermakers, he collected 92 total tackles , five pass deflections, two interceptions, and a sack with the Ducks. Oregon defensive back Brandon Finney Jr. celebrates an interception as the Oregon Ducks take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Imageswere afraid to throw anywhere in the vicinity of standout true freshman defensive back Brandon Finney Jr. He will be the face of Oregon defensive coordinator Chris Hampton's secondary in 2026 after being tied for the eighth-most interceptions in the Big Ten at three total. The 19-year-old had his best performance of his young football career in the Orange Bowl during the 23-0 shutout victory over the Texas Tech Red Raiders, finishing with two pivotal interceptions along with a fumble recovery in Miami, Florida. Dec 26, 2025; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Koi Perich against the New Mexico Lobos during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesThrough the transfer portal comes a handful of more talent at the Power Five level, the Group of Five level, and even through the junior college level. All of these rankings come from Rivals.Three-star junior cornerback Carl Williams - Baylor BearsFour-star safety Jett Washington - Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas, NevadaFour-star safety Devin Jackson - The First Academy in Winter Garden, Floridaclass ranks No. 3 in all of the NCAA and No. 2 in the Big Ten behind the USC Trojans .Arden Cravalho is a reporter for Oregon Ducks on SI. He has been writing extensively about college athletics beginning in 2018, specifically as the lead writer and editor for SB Nation's 'The Slipper Still Fits.' Arden is a graduate of Gonzaga University and brings a deep understanding of college sports to his writing. Residing in San Francisco, California, Arden is also a part of the California Golden Bears' athletic department as a Ticket Sales and Service Account Executive. His overall experience and dedication to college athletics are evident in his insightfulness and analysis throughout all of his work.
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