Oregon Special Teams Coordinator Speaks Candidly on the Ducks' Kick Returner Options

From former Oregon running back Noah Whittington to former Ducks wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr., to incoming senior wide receiver Evan Stewart, the Oregon Ducks special teams has had a proclivity for rotating their kick returners.

However, in a media availability that felt almost chock full of certainty, Oregon special teams coordinator Joe Lorig shared an assertion that the 2026 rotation of kick returners for the Ducks will be strong.

Oregon special teams coordinator Joe Lorig watches over practice Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022, in Eugene, Ore. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The Future Of Oregon Ducks Kick Returner Line-up

In a media availability after the Aug. 10 fall camp practice, Lorig opened up about a variety of special teams topics, including the starting place kicker, the punter position battle, and which athletes had the athleticism and interest to step up as a punt returner.

“Yeah, this early in camp, I'm hesitant to point out just one guy because it's still certainly a competition," Lorig said. "But I think you said it, you got Dakorien, who's really special. Just think of the guy, anybody that's special with the ball in their hands, and then they have the element of being able to catch the punt.”

Of course, when long-time Duck fans think of Lorig's "special with the ball in their hands" statement, they may think of former legends like former Oregon receiver De'Anthony Thomas' 91-yard scoring kick return in the 2012 Rose Bowl against Wisconsin (which set a Rose Bowl record at the time), or some may consider the 85-yard punt return touchdown Las Vegas Raiders receiver Malik Benson accomplished during the 2025 season to contribute to Oregon's 42-27 win against the USC Trojans.

Either way, when Lorig references that a punt returner for Oregon has to be "special," there's a historic prescident for the claim.

Oregon kicker Atticus Sappington kicks during Oregon Pro Day on March 17, 2026, at the Moshofsky Center in Eugene, Oregon. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Oregon Ducks Wide Receiver Room Is Key

Speaking of special, Lorig named several receivers as the potential returners for the Ducks beyond incoming sophomore Dakoiren Moore.

“So, it's not everybody that's special with the ball in their hands, but I think of like Evan Stewart. Coach Switz told me today that Evan Stewart's been really good. Dakorien’s been really good. Certainly, J-Mac's [Jeremiah McClellan] been back there. Jalen Lott, the young guy. So, I think we have a lot of a lot of guys here. It's really important," Lorig said.

In a room that is as age-diverse as the receiver room, Lorig has several talents to pick from. As the coordinator stated, there's seasoned players like Stewart, McClellan, and even Moore (heading into his second year, but still has on-field experience) mixed with the younger receiver crop like Messiah Hampton, Gatlin Bair, and Lott to also experiment with in a special teams role for fall camp.

Perhaps, using someone younger with less of an in-game imprint could add an element of surprise that special teams very much thrives on.

Plus, there's a few returning running backs that could also be thrown into the mix, as the Ducks are not shy with giving their backs a nod or two in the return game. Incoming sophomore backs Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr. both come to mind.

Oregon special teams players huddle as the Oregon Ducks host the Montana State Bobcats on Aug. 30, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Position Battle in Fall Camp

For Lorig and his crew, discovering Oregon's next punt-returner is a game of wait and see in fall camp:

“This is the guy that has the most drops. This is the guy with the surest hands, and then also obviously got to have some athletic ability to make plays, but it might not be the most dynamic guys. What I'm saying is going to be the guy with that that has that in combination with the best hands, and I should say those the other way: best hands and can run the ball well.”

Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram for the latest news.

Add us as a preferred source on Google