Former No. 1 WR Faces Unthinkable Pressure: Will This Be His Final Shot at Glory?

The 2026 college football season promises to be pivotal for several teams, but none more so than the Oregon Ducks as they strive to make a significant mark on the national stage. Following a solid performance in the 12-team College Football Playoff, which culminated on January 19, 2026, with Indiana's victory over Miami (27-21) in the National Championship game, Oregon is looking to build on its momentum. The Ducks made a notable run in the playoffs as the No. 5 seed, defeating No. 12 James Madison (51-34) and No. 4 Texas Tech (23-0) before losing to top-seeded Indiana (56-22) in the Peach Bowl.

Looking ahead, 2026 is a moment of reckoning for Oregon, particularly for head coach Dan Lanning. As he seeks to secure the program's first national championship, all eyes will be on emerging star quarterback Dante Moore. He is expected to elevate his already impressive NFL draft stock as he leads the team into the new season.

In a recent analysis by FOX Sports college football analysts RJ Young, Michael Cohen, and Laken Litman, attention has turned to specific players who will face significant pressure in the coming year. Cohen highlighted Oregon wide receiver Evan Stewart as one of the players with the most to prove entering the 2026 season. Stewart’s journey reflects the highs and lows of college football, marked by both promise and setbacks.

Stewart was anticipated to step into a leading role within Oregon's receiving corps at the start of the 2025 season. However, a torn patellar tendon suffered over the summer sidelined him for the entire year. Cohen noted, "He bypassed a chance to enter the draft and will return to Oregon for the 2026 campaign, which should see the Ducks put forth arguably the most talented receiving corps in the country."

Before transferring to Oregon, the 6-foot, 170-pound Stewart was a five-star prospect from a historically strong signing class at Texas A&M in 2022. During his freshman year with the Aggies, he made a significant impact, catching 53 passes for 649 yards and two touchdowns, which earned him a spot on the 2022 SEC All-Freshman Team. After a challenging 2023 season, where he played in eight games, finishing with 38 receptions for 514 yards and four touchdowns, Stewart made the decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal following the mid-November firing of Aggies' head coach Jimbo Fisher.

Upon his commitment to Oregon during the 2024 offseason, Stewart joined a competitive squad where he emerged as the Ducks' third-leading receiver behind Tez Johnson and Traeshon Holden, ending that year with 48 receptions for 613 yards and five touchdowns. His return to the field in 2026 is keenly anticipated as he was poised to be Oregon's leading receiver before his injury last year.

As the Ducks prepare for the upcoming season, they are also welcoming back Jeremiah McClellan and Dakorien Moore, both of whom combined for over 1,000 receiving yards in 2025. This returning talent positions Oregon as a formidable contender in college football, particularly with the depth and skill within their receiving corps.

The stakes are high for Oregon as they aim not only to reclaim their position among college football's elite but also to provide their players, like Evan Stewart, with the platform to showcase their talents and prepare for potential careers in the NFL. The 2026 season is shaping up to be a defining moment for the Ducks, where expectations meet opportunity, and the drive to succeed is palpable.