Oregon Fans Will Love What Dan Lanning Said About Dakorien Moore, Dierre Hill Jr.

Oregon coach Dan Lanning opened up on receiver Dakorien Moore and running back Dierre Hill Jr. as two players wired for a jump in 2026.

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Oregon coach Dan Lanning opened up on receiver Dakorien Moore and running back Dierre Hill Jr. as two players "wired" for a jump in 2026. Each flashed their potential in their freshmen seasons, but how they develop as sophomores could reshape the Ducks offense.

Moore and Dierre Hill Jr. have already made an impact but now face bigger expectations. At Oregon, that second-year jump is often where potential turns into production.

Oregon wide receiver Dakorien Moore celebrates the Ducks’ win as the Oregon Ducks host the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Sept. 6, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Dan Lanning Sees Something In Dakorien Moore, Dierre Hill Jr.

When asked about Moore and Hill Jr. after the Ducks' third spring football practice, Lanning kept it real with his evaluation. As potential breakout stars, Lanning sees how motivated both offensive playmakers are but points to needed development to reach their goals.

“I think you've seen it within our program for several guys before. Whether that's Jeremiah McClellan this past season. Like, it's up to them. They got to go attack the work, and they got to know that they're not the best version of themselves yet,” Lanning said about Moore and Hill Jr.

Oregon lost it's leading receiver in tight end Kenyon Sadiq and its veteran running back in sixth-year senior Noah Whittington. Without those two, who will emerge as quarterback Dante Moore's go-to weapons? The case could be made for Dakorien Moore and Hill Jr. and Lanning sees that they have the work ethic to raise their ceiling.

“So, guys like Dakorien, guys like Dierre, all those guys that were able to make an impact this year. Brandon Finney, like, that's a big piece for them. That's what they have to be internally and intrinsically motivated to go improve. And I think those guys are wired the right way to do that,” Lanning said.

Oregon running back Dierre Hill Jr. carries the ball as the Oregon Ducks face the Indiana Hoosiers in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Hill made the most of his opportunities in 2025, finishing his freshman season with 75 carries, 656 yards and five touchdowns. Hill let the the Big Ten and ranked second nationally with a whopping 8.75 yards per carry. He also added 16 receptions for 137 yards and a touchdown. While he played in all 15 games, he only started once.

Dakorien Moore also put together an impressive freshman campaign, catching 34 passes for 497 yards and three touchdowns while also adding four carries for 49 yards and a score on the ground. Moore missed four games with injury but recorded at least one reception in all 11 games he played and posted 10 multi-catch performances, showcasing early consistency in Oregon’s offense.

His 497 receiving yards rank fifth in program history among freshmen, and he became just the second true freshman wide receiver to start a season opener for the Ducks, the first since Josh Delgado in 2019. He also showed that he is a team-first player with excellent blocking ability.

Nov 14, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Dakorien Moore (1) watches teammates warm up before a game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

The former 5-star recruit t from Duncanville, Texas lived up to the hype and showed impressive maturity, which has left fans thirsty for more of the Moore to Moore connection. The Oregon football video team has posted exciting highlights of the two connecting in practice.

Risign Star Brandon Finney Jr.

While focusing on offense, it is notable that Lanning brought up Finney Jr. unprompted.

Finney Jr. emerged as a key contributor in his freshman season, starting all 15 games for the Ducks and earning FWAA Freshman All-America honors. He led Oregon with three interceptions and eight pass breakups while totaling 42 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Jan 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Brandon Finney (4) is interviewed by. ESPN’s Katie George following the 2025 Orange Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

One of his interceptions was returned 35 yards for a touchdown against Indiana on Oct. 11, and he delivered a standout performance in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Orange Bowl, recording two interceptions to earn Defensive MVP honors.

The Ducks' 2025 season would not have been the same without the contributions of Moore, Hill Jr. and Finney Jr. If those three can continue their progress into 2026, Oregon might just have its next wave of stars.

The development of the underclassmen will be a major storyline that Oregon Ducks on SI follows this spring.

The Ducks will have 15 practices all together and the spring football game will be held on Saturday, April 25 at 1 p.m. PT in Autzen Stadium in Eugene. The game will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network and admission to the game is free.

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