Dan Lanning announces Oregon RB Makhi Hughes will redshirt

Oregon made a big splash in the NCAA transfer portal this offseason, landing running back Makhi Hughes from Tulane. Many thought Hughes was the missing piece for the Ducks to once again put out a great offensive unit. However, to this point, the relationship has not worked out.

And moving forward, we will not even see Hughes dressing up on game days. Hughes asked Oregon to redshirt the rest of the 2025 season. Per head coach Dan Lanning, the program plans to honor the request.

“He’s asked to redshirt,” Lanning said during a Wednesday press conference. “We’ve honored that opportunity for him.”

Exactly what Hughes plans to do with the redshirt did not get revealed by Lanning. The running back could choose to stay in Eugene for another season or once again put his name in the transfer portal. Hughes gets some time to choose due to the new portal rules. As for now, On3’s Pete Nakos can confirm no final decision has been made.

Hughes did not make the trip out East to State College for Oregon’s game against Penn State. His season-high in carries came vs. Oklahoma State with nine. In total, Hughes put up 70 yards and no touchdowns on 17 attempts this season.

There was a ton of excitement surrounding Hughes due to what he did with Tulane last year. The 1,401 yards Hughes put up were good enough for second in the American and top-10 in all of college football. Add in 15 touchdowns and Oregon landed an incredibly productive player.

More on Oregon running back situation moving forward

Not many programs in college football recruit as well as Oregon — talent flows through the entire roster. Running back is no different, as the Ducks have three capable players already producing. The loss of Hughes certainly hurts but does not change things moving forward.

Dierre Hill is currently the team’s leading rusher with 270 yards. His presence became quite well-known in the Penn State game, getting into the end zone twice. Jayden Limar and Noah Whittington are not too far behind Hill when it comes to production.

Lanning gets a bye week to fully figure things out, if he even needs to. Oregon then hosts one of the biggest matchups in college football on Oct. 11, welcoming the Indiana Hoosiers. They will walk into Autzen Stadium without Hughes, a story far from over due to his redshirt request.