This player may have to play a pivotal if the Oregon Ducks want to win a championship.
The Oregon Ducks played their spring game over the weekend, with wide receiver Dakorien Moore scoring a game-winning touchdown in the Combat Ducks' victory over the Fighting Ducks.
Of course, the end result doesn't mean all that much, but it was still a great warmup for both the players and the fans and indicated that we are now one step closer to the 2026 college football season.
So, what are some of the biggest takeaways from the contest?
Well, Zachary Neel of USA Today has identified one nugget in particular, singling out senior linebacker Jerry Mixon.
"Again, Brayden Platt moves slightly down the list. However, this is Mixon at the top, and I think he will be one of the stories of the year for the defense," Neel wrote. "If the Ducks have any chance of making a championship run, Mixon is going to need to be among the best players on the defense."
Mixon arrived at Oregon in 2023 but barely played over his first couple of seasons, accumulating just eight tackles between 2023 and 2024.
Oregon Ducks linebacker Jerry Mixon. Credit: USA TODAY Network.Last year, however, Mixon began receiving significant playing time and registered 57 tackles, four tackles for loss, a pair of interceptions (including a pick-six) and seven passes defended.
For someone who flew so far under the radar in 2025, those were pretty good numbers, and far bigger things are expected from Mixon heading into next season, the final campaign of his collegiate career.
The Ducks' defense should be absolutely nasty in 2026 with returning stars like Matayo Uiagalelei, Teitum Tuioti and A'Mauri Washington, but if Mixon takes a major step forward, it could help put the unit over the top.
There is no question that Oregon is on the short list of the very top national championship contenders for next season, and while Dante Moore's return obviously plays a big role in that, perhaps the primary factor is the defense.
A former three-star recruit, Mixon is certainly not a household name, but he could very well establish himself as one of the better linebackers in the Big Ten next fall and potentially even put himself on the radar as an NFL prospect.
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