This may go overlooked by some but not me. Remember, the three most valuable specialists from 2025 are all gone. The Ducks will need to find a new long snapper, punter and place kicker. However, Oregon used the portal to add one of each so let’s take a look at the 2026 special teams overhaul to peek into in what could turn out to be the biggest question for the Ducks this 2026 season, as this ongoing position group series begins.
Special teams coordinator Joe Lorig remains in his role and has utilized the transfer portal to secure experienced replacements for the kicking, punting, and long-snapping positions.
The Oregon Ducks Roster and early spring previews indicate the following projected starters for the 2026
season:
Position Projected Starter
Placekicker (PK) Gage Hurych (R-So.) Projected Backup(s) Keaton Emmett (Jr. – TR), Rocco Graziano (R-Fr.)
Position projected Punter (PT) Bailey Ettridge (So. – TR) Projected Backup Ross James (Sr.)
Position projected Long Snapper RJ Todd (Sr. – TR) Projected Backup Nick Duzansky (R-Jr.)
Position Holder Bailey Ettridge (So. – TR)
Posttion projected Punt Returner Dakorien Moore (So.) Projected Backup(s) Jeremiah McClellan (R-So.), Koi Perich (Jr.)
Position Kick Returner Dierre Hill Jr. (So.) Projected Backup(s) Jordon Davison (So.), Koi Perich (Jr.)
Key Personnel Changes
New Additions (Transfers):
Bailey Ettridge (Punter): A transfer from Nevada with three years of eligibility remaining. He is expected to take over both punting and holding duties.
Keaton Emmett (Kicker): A Lake Oswego native and Nevada transfer who specialized in kickoffs, recording an 81.25% touchback rate in 2025.
RJ Todd (Long Snapper): A Western Michigan transfer expected to be a “plug-and-play” replacement for the departed Luke Basso.
Koi Perich (Safety/Returner): A dynamic transfer from Minnesota who averaged 26 yards per kickoff return and is expected to compete for return roles.
Returning Specialists:
Gage Hurych: The early favorite for field goal duties. In 2025, he served as a kickoff specialist, averaging 64.3 yards per kick, the highest mark among returning Big Ten kickers.
Notable Departures: The unit lost veteran leaders Atticus Sappington (K), James Ferguson-Reynolds (P), and Luke Basso (LS), all of whom exhausted their eligibility after the 2025 season.
Coaching Staff
Special Teams Coordinator: Joe Lorig continues to lead the unit in his fifth season under head coach Dan Lanning.
Special Teams Analyst: Zach Tinker remains on staff to assist with specialist development
The question remains HOW MUCH ARE WE GOING TO MISS THE LEG OF ATTICUS SAPPINGTON? That will be revealed in special teams play of our 2026 Oregon Ducks.
Next up Defensive Backs room and Go Ducks!!!
