Where WR Evan Stewart stands among the top-rated transfers in Dan Lanning era
It feels like we can definitively say after two years of Dan Lanning’s tenure with the Oregon Ducks that three things are true — the head coach is incredibly loyal, he’s an elite recruiter, and there are few people in the nation better at utilizing the transfer portal than him.
On Thursday, he proved all three of those things. The day started with Lanning delivering a message to Duck fans saying that he was planning to stay in Eugene and not take the head coaching job for the Alabama Crimson Tide. It ended with Lanning getting a massive commitment from former Texas A&M wide receiver Evan Stewart, the No. 2 rated player in the transfer portal this year.
Stewart comes to Oregon as a former 5-star recruit from the class of 2022, where he was the No. 1 WR and No. 6 overall player in the nation. He racked up 91 catches for 1,163 yards and 6 touchdowns in his two years, and now he comes to Eugene with two years of eligibility remaining and projects to be one of the starting receivers for the Ducks.
Over the past couple of years, we’ve seen Lanning add some top-rated portal players to the roster, whether it was Bo Nix, Jordan Burch, or Christian Gonzalez.
So where does Stewart rank among the 29 (non-specialist) Oregon transfers in the Lanning era? There are two ways to look at it. For starters, you can take into account the 247Sports transfer portal rankings. However, those rankings don’t always match what we see play out on the field. For instance, Bo Nix was a three-star prospect in the portal, but he finished his college career as a Heisman Trophy finalist in New York.
For good measure, I added my own rankings based on how good each player ended up being in Eugene.
Let’s take a look at the 25 best transfers that the Ducks have landed since Lanning has been here, and see where Stewart lands:
WR Evan Stewart
Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports Transfer Rating: 5-star (0.9800)
Career Production: 91 catches, 1,163 yards, 6 TDs
Ducks Wire Transfer Ranking: N/A
Analysis: It should come as no surprise that Evan Stewart is the highest-rated transfer to commit to the Ducks in the Dan Lanning era. As the former No. 1 WR in the 2022 class, and the No. 6 overall player in the nation, Stewart has some elite talent that he brings to Eugene, though he is still working to reach his ceiling. Stewart was the No. 2 ranked player in the 2024 transfer portal, and he now joins the Ducks with a great chance to step into a starting role this fall.
QB Dante Moore
Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports Transfer Rating: 4-star (0.9500)
Career Production: 1,610 yards, 11 TDs, 9 INTs
Ducks Wire Transfer Ranking: N/A
Analysis: It makes sense that Dante Moore is at the top of the rankings as far as hype and ratings go, but he has a lot to prove when it comes to on-field production. Still, it’s impressive that Moore comes in as the highest-rated transfer in the Lanning era, touching down in Eugene as the No. 3 overall player and No. 2 QB in the 2024 transfer portal.
Edge Jordan Burch
Photo Courtesy of Ethan Landa
247Sports Transfer Rating: 4-star (0.9400)
Production at Oregon: 13 games, 33 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 PBU
Ducks Wire Transfer Ranking: 7th
Analysis: Burch was highly rated when coming to Eugene, and he great in 2023. It looks like he is headed to the NFL, so his contributions will be limited to one year with the Ducks. I definitely have him in the top half of my transfer rankings.
OT Ajani Cornelius
Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
247Sports Transfer Rating: 4-star (0.9200)
Production at Oregon: 13 games, 0 sacks, 11 pressures allowed in 473 attempts
Ducks Wire Transfer Ranking: 8th
Analysis: Ajani Cornelius was the No. 1 OT in the transfer portal last year, and he lived up to the billing in Eugene in 2023. He’s weighing a decision to return to Eugene or head to the NFL. Some of the buzz suggests he could be considering one more year at the collegiate level. Should he come back, he has a great chance to move up in my transfer rankings.
RB Bucky Irving
247Sports Transfer Rating: 4-star (0.9100)
Production at Oregon: 26 games, 328 rushes, 2,121 yards, 20 total TDs
Ducks Wire Transfer Ranking: 3rd
Analysis: I don’t think it’s right to put Bucky Irving at No. 1 on the transfer list, but you could definitely argue he belongs at No. 2. With the production he has had since coming to Eugene, it’s clear Irving was among the biggest stars Lanning landed out of the portal. He is likely off to the NFL. Otherwise, he would surely grab the No. 2 spot.
S Evan Williams
Chris Gardner/Getty Images
247Sports Transfer Rating: 4-star (0.9100)
Production at Oregon: 12 games, 79 tackles, 5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 2 PBU, 1 FF
Ducks Wire Transfer Ranking: 5th
Analysis: Evan Williams was a highly sought player in the portal, but it wasn’t hard for the Ducks to get him thanks to the connection with his brother, Bennett. Williams had a great season for the Ducks, leading the team in tackles in his final year of eligibility.
QB Dillon Gabriel
247Sports Transfer Rating: 4-star (0.9100)
Career Production: 14,865 yards, 125 TD, 26 INT
Ducks Wire Transfer Ranking: N/A
Analysis: Of course, Gabriel can’t be ranked here because we don’t know how productive he will be in Eugene. However, if he plays up to expectations based on what we’ve seen from him at Oklahoma and UCF, I have a feeling that he could be up near the top of the list when done.
WR Traeshon Holden
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247Sports Transfer Rating: 4-star (0.9100)
Production at Oregon: 13 games, 32 catches, 383 yards, 6 total TDs
Ducks Wire Transfer Ranking: 13th
Analysis: Traeshon Holden’s transfer ranking was higher than I remembered, but he didn’t create the production that was expected in 2023, largely due to the share of targets taken by both Troy Franklin and Tez Johnson. If Holden sticks around for another year in Eugene, he can definitely rise in the rankings.
CB Christian Gonzalez
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports Transfer Rating: 4-star (0.9000)
Production at Oregon: 12 games, 50 tackles, 1 TFL, 4 INTs, 7 PBU
Ducks Wire Transfer Ranking: 2nd
Analysis: I debated between Christian Gonzalez and Bucky Irving for the No. 2 spot on this list and gave it to Gonzalez. Going in the first round of the NFL draft and being an instant difference-maker with the New England Patriots showed just how valuable he was for the Ducks last year.
LB Jestin Jacobs
247Sports Transfer Rating: 4-star (0.9000)
Production at Oregon: 7 games, 31 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 1 PBU
Ducks Wire Transfer Ranking: 12th
Analysis: We didn’t get to see all that Jestin Jacobs had to offer in 2023 because injuries that kept him off the field for the first half of the season. We saw how promising he can be, and if he returns in 2023, which I’m told is likely, he can certainly climb these rankings quickly.
OL Junior Angilau
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247Sports Transfer Rating: 4-star (0.9000)
Production at Oregon: 2 games played, 0 pressures in 3 opportunities
Ducks Wire Transfer Ranking: 22nd
Analysis: It was a tough year for Junior Angilau, who dealt with injuries in the offseason and was never able to get up to speed. He is out of collegiate eligibility.
WR Gary Bryant Jr.
Photo Courtesy of Ethan Landa
247Sports Transfer Rating: 4-star (0.9000)
Production at Oregon: 13 games, 26 catches, 380 yards, 3 TDs
Ducks Wire Transfer Ranking: 15th
Analysis: Gary Bryant Jr. had less production in 2023 than many expected, but I think that with another year in the system he can step up and be a bigger part of the offense, rising in these rankings a bit.
CB Kam Alexander
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247Sports Transfer Rating: 4-star (0.9000)
2023 Production: 34 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 2 INTs, and 15 PBUs
Ducks Wire Transfer Ranking: N/A
Analysis: The ceiling is very high for incoming transfer Kam Alexander, who was one of the best defensive backs in the nation last year for UTSA. Alexander has one year of eligibility remaining, and he should instantly compete for a starting spot on the Ducks’ defense.
CB Khyree Jackson
Chris Gardner/Getty Images
247Sports Transfer Rating: 3-star (0.8900)
Production at Oregon: 12 games, 34 tackles, 5 TFL, 2 sacks, 3 INTs, 7 PBU
Ducks Wire Transfer Ranking: 6th
Analysis: Much like Christian Gonzalez, Khyree Jackson came to Eugene and was an instant-impact player, providing lockdown coverage in the secondary for the Ducks. In his one year at Oregon, he made a difference.
CB Nikko Reed
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247Sports Transfer Rating: 3-star (0.8900)
Production at Oregon: 13 games, 20 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 6 PBU
Ducks Wire Transfer Ranking: 16th
Analysis: Nikko Reed certainly benefited from the Christian Gonzalez comparisons coming to Oregon from Colorado. While he didn’t have a massive role in the defense, that could change with another year in Eugene.
S Tysheem Johnson
247Sports Transfer Rating: 3-star (0.8900)
Production at Oregon: 13 games, 68 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 sack, 2 INTs, 6 PBU
Ducks Wire Transfer Ranking: 11th
Analysis: Tysheem Johnson was a solid player for the Ducks and was among the leading tacklers on the team, playing nearly all of the snaps on defense. He can stand to improve in some coverage areas, but with another year under Dan Lanning, I could see him rising up these rankings.
RB Jay Harris
Courtesy of Northwest Missouri State Athletics
247Sports Transfer Rating: 3-star (0.8900)
Production at Oregon: 15 games, 1,645 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Ducks Wire Transfer Ranking: N/A
Analysis: It’s too early to tell how much of an impact Jay Harris will have with the Ducks. Based on what people inside the program have told me, he could be one of the best players on the team next year. He brings a unique mix of size and speed to the offense that could be dominant. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is near the top of our transfer rankings a year from now.
QB Bo Nix
247Sports Transfer Rating: 3-star (0.8800)
Production at Oregon: 26 games, 630-for-844 (74.6%) 7,738 yards, 69 TDs, 10 INTs (20 rush TDs)
Ducks Wire Transfer Ranking: 1st
Analysis: Come on now, was there ever any question as to who the No. 1 transfer from the Lanning era would be? Bo Nix has been everything fans could have ever expected and then some, coming to Oregon and becoming a Heisman trophy finalist before making the leap to the NFL. I have a feeling Nix will be No. 1 on this list for quite some time.
WR Tez Johnson
Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports Transfer Rating: 3-star (0.8800)
Production at Oregon: 13 games, 75 catches, 1,010 yards, 9 TDs
Ducks Wire Transfer Ranking: 4th
Analysis: Tez Johnson wasn’t a highly rated transfer coming from Troy, but he was a highly graded player according to Pro Football Focus. He proved why with a dynamic year as one of the best receivers on the roster. Should he return for another year in 2024, Johnson will likely be the WR1 and can rise even higher on this list.
DT Taki Taimani
247Sports Transfer Rating: 3-star (0.8800)
Production at Oregon: 24 games, 34 tackles, 2.5 TFL
Ducks Wire Transfer Ranking: 14th
Analysis: Taki Taimani didn’t have substantial production in his first year with the Ducks in 2022, but he stepped up and played a bigger role in 2023, becoming a really solid defender in his final year of collegiate eligibility.
DT Jordon Riley
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports Transfer Rating: 3-star (0.8800)
Production at Oregon: 13 games, 21 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks, 1 PBU
Ducks Wire Transfer Ranking: 17th
Analysis: In his one year with the Ducks, Jordon Riley was solid on the defensive line. He turned that into a spot on the New York Giants roster in the NFL draft.
OL Matthew Bedford
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247Sports Transfer Rating: 3-star (0.8800)
2023 Production: 2 sacks allowed in 393 snaps
Ducks Wire Transfer Ranking: N/A
Analysis: Though Bedford isn’t among the highest-rated transfer on this list, he has the ability to provide an instant impact for the Ducks, potentially stepping in at the right guard spot and replacing Steven Jones. Bedford has a wealth of experience along the line in his career, and he should be a great plug-and-play asset for the Ducks.
WR Chase Cota
Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports Transfer Rating: 3-star (0.8700)
Production at Oregon: 10 games, 36 catches, 497 yards, 3 TDs
Ducks Wire Transfer Ranking: 10th
Analysis: Chase Cota had a really good single season with Oregon in 2022, acting as the Ducks No. 2 receiver before jumping to the NFL. His place as a hometown kid certainly made him a fan favorite while in Eugene.
DL Casey Rogers
Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports Transfer Rating: 3-star (0.8700)
Production at Oregon: 26 games, 53 tackles, 6.0 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 2 PBU, 1 FF
Ducks Wire Transfer Ranking: 9th
Analysis: Casey Rogers was one of the more underrated transfers the Ducks landed, and he was a big piece of the defensive line in his last year of collegiate eligibility.
TE Casey Kelly
Courtesy of Ethan Landa
247Sports Transfer Rating: 3-star (0.8700)
Production at Oregon: 12 games, 5 catches, 43 yards, 2 TDs
Ducks Wire Transfer Ranking: 18th
Analysis: Casey Kelly didn’t have many opportunities in 2023, but he made the most of them with two touchdowns on his five catches. The Ducks could need more tight end help next season, depending on what Terrance Ferguson does, so Kelly could rise up this list.
