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Oregon

In the midst of uncertainty, Gary Bryant’s experience stands out

by:Ted Leroux•19 hours ago
gary bryant Jr.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Evan Stewart’s injury has added to the growing uncertainty of the wide receiver depth chart this offseason. While Dakorien Moore is expected to follow in the footsteps of standout true freshmen like Ryan Williams and Jeremiah Smith before him, Oregon’s wide receiver room remains full of questions due to its youth and lack of starting experience. 

Plenty of names have been mentioned as potential candidates to step up in Evan Stewart’s absence—Jurrion Dickey, Malik Benson, Jeremiah McClellan, among others. But what if the answer is the veteran in the room? What if it’s Gary Bryant Jr.?

Bryant Jr. is coming off a 2024 season plagued by injury, recording just two catches for 12 yards. However, the Riverside, California native has already shown he can thrive in Will Stein’s offense. In 2023, he caught 30 passes from Bo Nix, totaling 442 yards and four touchdowns. That year, he ranked fourth on the team in receiving yards and second in yards per catch.

Let’s make one thing clear though: Gary Bryant Jr. isn’t expected to put up a 1,000-yard season like Evan Stewart was projected to. His value to the 2025 Ducks goes beyond the stat sheet. While his on-field contributions will matter, it’s his leadership off the field—during practices, in the film room, and throughout the week—that could prove even more impactful. As the veteran presence in a young receiver room, Bryant is expected to help set the tone and establish the standard for the next generation of Oregon wideouts.

“I’m really a lead-by-example guy. When I come out and work every day, I think the guys see that. Everything I say—they listen and take it to heart,” Bryant said during the spring. Having someone entering his third season in Eugene gives Oregon’s young, talented wideouts a reliable presence—someone who knows the playbook inside and out and can help prepare them to make an impact this fall.

Bryant’s leadership isn’t the only part of the equation when evaluating his role for Oregon this season. With Evan Stewart expected by many to return to his natural spot in the slot before his injury, that position now presents a major opportunity—and Bryant is the most likely candidate to fill it. His smaller frame, quickness, and proven production make him the ideal fit to complement Dakorien Moore on the outside. In 2023, Bryant demonstrated his ability to turn short passes into big plays, including a memorable 74-yard touchdown against Arizona State.

While many of us—myself included—are focused on finding the next breakout star in Oregon’s wide receiver room, it’s often the savvy veteran who plays just as crucial a role in a team’s passing success. This season, Gary Bryant Jr. could be exactly that for the Ducks.

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