A cohort of former University of Oregon athletes is currently vying for professional roles during the 2026 NFL preseason. these players are showcasing their skills across several teams to earn permanent spots on the active rosters.
Whittington's 40 yards and Benson's Raiders debut
The battle for the backfield is heating up for two former University of Oregon running backs. Noah Whittington, who entered the league undrafted after a strong 2025 campaign, made an immediate impact with the Houston Texans. As the report notes, Whittington recorded 13 carries for 40 yards in his professional debut, signaling that he can handle a significant workload at the next level.
Meanwhile, Malik Benson is attempting to justify his status as a sixth-round selection by the Las Vegas Raiders. Benson contributed two receptions for 26 yards in his first outing. For both Whittington and Benson, these early numbers are critical; in the NFL, the margin between a roster spot and a practice squad assignment often comes down to a few yards of efficiency during August.
Bryce Boettcher's 136-tackle pedigree in Indianapolis
On the defensive side of the ball, Bryce Boettcher is quickly becoming a focal point for the Indianapolis Colts. Boettcher, who rose into the fourth round of the draft, is leveraging the physicality that defined his college career. According to the source, Boettcher finished his final season at the University of Oregon with 136 tackles, a level of productivity that has translated into a viral big hit during his first preseason appearance.
Boettcher's trajectory reflects a broader trend of NFL teams targeting high-motor defenders from the Pacific Northwest. By securing a fourth-round slot, Boettcher entered the Indianapolis Colts camp with more leverage than an undrafted player, but his aggressive style of play is what is currently capturing the attenton of the coaching staff and the fanbase alike .
Intercepting Joe Burrow and Muhammad's six-tackle surge
The secondary is seeing a similar influx of Oregon talent, though the paths to success vary. Dillon Thieneman of the Chicago Bears had a rocky start to the preseason, but he recently found his rhythm during joint practices with the Cincinnati Bengals. The highlight of his camp was a critical interception thrown by star quarterback Joe Burrow, a play that serves as a necessary proof-of-concept for Thieneman's abilities in the Bears' defensive scheme.
Simultaneously, Jabbar Muhammad is fighting an uphill battle with the Jacksonville Jaguars. After spending time on the practice squad and signing a reserve/future contract, Muhammad used his first 2026 preseason game aganist the New Orleans Saints to record six tackles. For Muhammad, these statistics are not just numbers—they are a resume for a player attempting to transition from a developmental role to a reuglar-season contributor.
The precarious path from the Jaguars' practice squad to the 53-man roster
Despite the positive flashes, several critical questions remain regarding the long-term viability of these players. While Jabbar Muhammad showed grit against the New Orleans Saints, it remains unverified whether the Jacksonville Jaguars have a vacancy in their secondary or if Muhammad is simply providing high-quality competition for established starters.
Similarly, the report highlights Dillon Thieneman's success against Joe Burrow in practice, but it is yet to be seen if that performance can be replicated in a live game environment. Furthermore, for undrafted players like Noah Whittington, the question is whether 40 yards in a debut is enough to displace veteran presence on the Houston Texans depth chart. the source focuses on the individual performances,but the ultimate decision rests on the team-wide chemistry and salary cap constraints that dictate the final 53-man cuts.
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