Oregon's Most Important Transfer for 2026 Identified

The Oregon Ducks defense should be even better in 2026 with eight starting returning this fall. 

There's a lot of continuity on that side of the ball, and that should be helpful as the Ducks look to otherwise make a long run in the College Football Playoff. The defense was hot and cold in the CFP last year, struggling against JMU but shutting out Texas Tech. 

Neither side of the ball was good in a 56-22 loss to Indiana in the CFP semifinal. 

After losing safety Dillon Thieneman to the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, head coach Dan Lanning brought in another transfer from the Big Ten to replace him. 

Chris Hummer of CBS Sports thinks Minnesota transfer Koi Perich is the most important transfer for the Ducks this season and could be the best safety in the nation.

If Ohio State had the best safety in college football last season, the Ducks had a close No. 2 in first=round pick Dillon Thieneman," Hummer wrote. "He was a space eraser in coverage and a daring tackler in the open field. That's a tough player to replace. Perich is the type of talent who can do it. 

"He was more up and down last year than he was as a true freshman, but Perich is among the most talented players at his position in the country. If he can regain his 2024 form, Oregon will have one of the best defensive backs in the FBS. That would be a huge win for a top 10 unit that already returns eight starters."

Even though his defense wasn't as great in 2025, Perich contributed in big ways, including adding an interception and forced fumble.

Perich contributed on special teams as a returner and helped some on the offensive side of the ball. It'll be interesting to see if the Ducks try him on that side of the ball at any point this season.

Because of Perich's experience, the Ducks won't have a massive downgrade after losing Theineman, and that could be huge as the team has one of the better secondaries in the nation.