The Oregon Ducks received an offseason boost when standout wide receiver Evan Stewart announced he would return for his senior year. Stewart, who transferred from Texas A&M before the 2024 season, shared the news on Instagram on Tuesday, prompting widespread excitement across the football community.
Among those celebrating was Dakorien Moore, the Ducks’ top 2025 signee and the nation’s No. 1-ranked wide receiver prospect according to ESPN. Moore’s energetic two-word comment read:
“Yehh Stewy,”
Stewart’s return follows an impressive debut with Oregon, where the 6-foot, 175-pound playmaker logged 48 receptions for 613 yards and five touchdowns.
Despite missing the Rose Bowl 41-21 loss to Ohio State due to a pregame injury, Stewart was instrumental in helping the Ducks achieve a 13-1 record, their best since 2014, and secure the top seed in the College Football Playoff.
Evan Stewart's decision to return for another year comes as the Ducks face pressure to find replacements for other strong wideouts. Tez Johnson, who had one of the best receiving seasons in Central history by catching 83 passes for 898 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024, declared for the NFL draft.
Veteran receiver Traeshon Holden, who contributed 45 catches for 718 yards and five touchdowns, has also exhausted his eligibility. Stewart’s announcement coincided with Oregon adding former Florida State and Alabama receiver Malik Benson through the transfer portal.
Benson, granted an additional year of eligibility, joins a 2025 roster featuring Moore and four-star recruit Cooper Perry (No. 196 overall). With Stewart leading an evolving receiving corps, Oregon’s offense aims to maintain its high-powered attack, which ranked 13th nationally in passing yards last season.
Evan Stewart returns to lead Oregon’s wide receiver corps in 2025
Evan Stewart, a five-star recruit from Frisco, Texas, and a 2022 Freshman All-America honoree, began his collegiate journey at Texas A&M. Despite an inconsistent 2024 season with Oregon, Stewart showcased his potential, achieving 100-yard games twice.
His standout performances included a seven-catch, 149-yard outing with a touchdown in a narrow 32-31 victory over Ohio State on October 12 and a season-high 10 receptions in a win against Wisconsin on November 16.
As the Ducks look toward 2025, quarterback Dante Moore will lead the offense. A five-star recruit and the No. 3-ranked QB from the 2023 class, Moore has already garnered significant praise. Tez Johnson, who declared for the NFL draft, expressed confidence in Moore’s ability last Friday:
"He'll be a Heisman finalist next year, 100%. It's something you haven't seen yet, that boy can throw a ball like no other. I've never seen nothing like it."
Over two seasons with Texas A&M, Evan Stewart recorded 91 receptions for 1,163 yards and six touchdowns before transferring to Oregon. ESPN ranks Stewart as the No. 40 overall prospect and sixth-best wide receiver in the upcoming NFL draft cycle.