The Oregon Ducks have been flying through the competition as of late, and it has largely been due to the performances of specific players.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel has been stellar for the Ducks, providing the team with another excellent boost at quarterback after saying goodbye to Bo Nix. With Nix in the NFL, Gabriel has slide directly into the starting role, and impressed the college football landscape while doing so. However, behind every great quarterback is a great wide receiver, and Evan Stewart has been just that.
Stewart was originally a member of the 2022 recruiting class and signed with the Texas A&M Aggies as a five-star recruit. Stewart ranked in the 2022 recruiting class as the 11th-overall recruit, the second-overall wide receiver, and the fourth-overall recruit out of Texas. The wide receiver chose to stay close to home, and managed to make an impact right away.
Evan Stewart making Denzel Burke look SILLY 😳
The Oregon WR is putting on a CLINIC against one of the nation’s best CB’s. pic.twitter.com/csCCxbuNJz
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) October 13, 2024
After Stewart signed on with the Aggies, the receiver recorded 53 receptions, 649 yards, and two touchdowns as a true freshman. In his second season, Stewart recorded 38 receptions, 514 yards, and four touchdowns as both the team and the receiver declined.
Stewart entered the transfer portal as the third-overall transfer and the top-ranked transfer wide receiver, which earned him a five-star rating once again. Stewart quickly announced a commitment to the Ducks and has become a fan-favorite player.
Oregon Ducks Receiver Evan Stewart Making a Solid Case For Top Transfer Addition
While Stewart might be off to a slow start to the season, the receiver is really starting to develop into a top-level receiver for the Ducks.
With Tez Johnson ahead of Stewart on the depth chart, the receiver has mainly been the outside threat for the Ducks offense. Often this season, it has been difficult to get Stewart the ball due to the time it takes for the outside routes to develop. Johnson, who sometimes becomes the slot receiver for the Ducks, is often the first target to create an opening for quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
Currently, the receiver has 331 yards, 23 receptions, and three touchdowns for the Oregon Ducks with his best game coming against the Buckeyes. Stewart had seven receptions, 149 yards, and one touchdown against Ohio State, including a 69-yard play. Stewart displayed what he could do for the Ducks, and also did so against Boise State with a similar performance.
Heading into the next portion of the season Stewart could certainly become a serious option for the top transfer considerations. While no trophy would be given to Stewart, the recognition of turning his career upward would be exceptional.
The Oregon Ducks staff has loved Stewart and continues to try to find ways to utilize the receiver on the field. Coach Dan Lanning stated that Stewart is a “game-changer” and added that the staff is looking to find different ways to use Stewart moving forward.
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