Oregon Ducks Break Program Record For Most Ducks Selected In NFL Draft

The Oregon Ducks had 10 players drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft, which makes history and breaks the program record for most Ducks selected in an NFL Draft.

After setting the program record with eight NFL Draft picks in 2024, former Oregon offensive lineman Ajani Cornelius became the ninth Duck drafted after being selected by Dallas Cowboys with pick No. 204. Then, former Oregon receiver Tez Johnson was drafted to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the No. 235 pick to make it 10.

Nov 30, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning celebrates with wide receiver Tez Johnson (15) during a senior recognition ceremony before a game against the Washington Huskies at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

The Ducks made more history in the first round of the NFL Draft. Oregon has now had a first-round pick in six straight NFL Drafts for the first time ever, with former Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon and offensive lineman Josh Conerly Jr. both drafted in the first round. The Ducks football program also had multiple first-round picks in the NFL Draft for the first time since 2015.

Harmon was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 21st overall pick and Conerly Jr. was selected by the Washington Commanders with the No. 29 overall pick.

Ready for more history? On day two of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Ducks again got in the record books when four Ducks flew off the board. For the first time in program history, Oregon has had more than four players selected through the first three rounds of the NFL Draft.

The Los Angeles Rams selected Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson in the second round, the Arizona Cardinals drafted defensive end Jordan Burch with the No. 78 overall selection, the Los Angeles Chargers picked defensive tackle Jamaree Caldwell with the 86th overall pick and last but not least - The Cleveland Browns drafted quarterback Dillon Gabriel in the third round.

A busy weekend for the former Oregon Ducks and the current Ducks, who played their spring football game in Autzen Stadium on Saturday.

Oregon coach Dan Lanning is seemingly everywhere. Lanning traveled to be with Conerly Jr. on night one of the draft. Oregon coach Dan Lanning is seen celebrating with Conerly Jr. and his family after he got the call from Washington.

Oregon offensive lineman Josh Conerly Jr. speaks during Oregon football’s media day Monday, July 29, 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

Josh Conerly Jr. is headed to the Washington Commanders! Washington drafted Conerly with the No. 29 pick of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Spotted - Oregon Ducks coach Dan Lanning celebrating with Conerly Jr and family in Auburn, WA.#GoDucks #RaiseHail #NFLDraft https://t.co/vTnEUyzXXc pic.twitter.com/5Lt7S2YMch
— Bri Amaranthus (@BriAmaranthus) April 25, 2025

There is no doubt that Lanning's mode of operation and mindset develops elite players into professional athletes. Ferguson has first-hand experience.

"If you look at Lanning and what he's done, every year we've had more and more people drafted," Ferguson told Oregon Ducks on SI reporter Bri Amaranthus. "That's not by luck or on accident. That's the work that he's put in with us in the classroom. Coach Lanning obviously has done a great job developing guys and bringing in new guys, with the portal and getting a lot of elite talent to come to Eugene and make them better."

Ferguson was confident the Ducks would break the record.

"A lot of them are like family to me," Ferguson told Amaranthus before the draft. "So being able to keep up with those guys and then obviously everyone's rooting for each other. We're definitely going to break that record."

Nov 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks tight end Terrance Ferguson (3) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Every season under Lanning, more Ducks are drafted. This trend didn't start at Oregon, however.

In 2021, Lanning was defensive coordinator for the Georgia Bulldogs and led the team to a historic NFL Draft with a tremendous eight defensive players drafted.

Oregon's pipeline to the pros is building, which is undoubtadley having a profound impact on recruiting. Despite all of this success, Lanning is quick to credit the players for reaching their dreams.

“It’s a great feeling, right? But again, I didn't do any of that work," Lanning told Amaranthus. "They did that work. So a lot of times capturing a goal and realizing a dream is really based on making sure that you put people in position to be able to do that and take advantage of what's in front of them and then they have to be motivated."

Jan 1, 2025; Pasadena, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning during a timeout in the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images | Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

“We're building something and we're getting better and better each year. It speaks to our players, the work that they put in," Lanning continued. "And then the aspirations, every guy dreams of getting the opportunity to play in the NFL. But I think it says if you come to Oregon, you got a real shot at doing it.”

Former Oregon receiver Tez Johnson is clear on how the Ducks prepare players for the NFL.

"If you have any dreams of going to the next level, this is the school you want to be at," Johnson told Amaranthus. "There's no other school you want to be at other than here. A lot of schools, you have a lot of distractions around you. But in Eugene, it's football all day."

Here is the full list of Ducks and which NFL teams drafted them.

Defensive tackle Derrick Harmon - No. 21 (Round 1): Pittsburgh Steelers

Offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. - No. 29 (Round 1): Washington Commanders

Tight end Terrance Ferguson - No. 46 (Round 2): Los Angeles Rams

EDGE Jordan Burch - No. 78 (Round 3): Arizona Cardinals

Defensive tackle Jamaree Caldwell - No. 86 (Round 3): Los Angeles Chargers

Quarterback Dillon Gabriel - No. 94 (Round 3): Cleveland Browns

Running back Jordan James - No. 147 (Round 5): San Francisco 49ers

Linebacker Jeffrey Bassa - No. 156 (Round 5): Kansas City Chiefs

Offensive tackle Ajani Cornelius - No. 204 (Round 6): Dallas Cowboys

Wide receiver Tez Johnson - No. 235 (Round 7): Tampa Bay Buccaneers