ScoopDuck Roundtable: Best True Freshman So Far This Season

Our second roundtable of the bye week is ready. As you probably read from the title, we are voting for our standout freshman of the season so far.
This was a fun one to do in my eyes. Because of the play we’ve seen from this 2025 class so far. Dan Lanning has proven to the doubters he has no problem playing his young talent if its ready. And many of them have answered the call.
Who has been your top true freshman so far? Here are our picks.
Max Torres: Brandon Finney Jr.
It’s not too hard to make a case for Dakorien Moore or Dierre Hill Jr. here, but Finney needs to be talked about more. We hardly hear his name during games and it’s because teams just haven’t been throwing at him. A lockdown cornerback is such a rare commodity in college football and even though it’s only been five games, Finney is certainly trending in that direction. If he keeps this up he’ll be the first lockdown corner the Ducks have had since Chrisitan Gonzalez back in 2022.
Ted Leroux: Dierre Hill Jr.
Much like the defensive MVP race, there are plenty of worthy candidates here, but I’m going with Saturday night’s birthday boy — Dierre Hill. Every time Hill touches the ball, good things happen. He leads the team not only in rushing yards (270) but also in yards per carry (10.4). Hill brings an explosiveness to the running back position that the Ducks didn’t have last year — and arguably haven’t seen in quite some time.
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Brandon Gibson: Dakorien Moore
I keep jumping back and forth between Dierre Hill Jr and Dakorien Moore as the best freshman so far. Oh wait, that doesn’t take into account Brandon Finney Jr, who has locked down his side of the field game after game. There is also a guy that has nearly half of the Ducks rushing touchdowns on the season, Jordan Davison, and a couple of redshirts in Ify Obidegwu and Aaron Flowers that are both starters for one of the top pass defenses in the nation. Embarrassment of riches for the Ducks and it makes my job that much more difficult. I don’t like having to pick one of this group, but if forced to, I’ll go with Dakorien Moore. Finney and Hill have been the biggest surprises, but Moore has been everything advertised and more. I think the most impressive thing is the blocking ability and next-level focus and body control.
Jhop: Brandon Finney
It was hard to pick one over some of the others. I love what Dierre Hill has brought to the table. I’ve been a fan since game one. It’s clear he’s got ‘it.’ But quarterbacks are flat-out afraid to throw at Finney. That is truly elite. Now Oregon will face some better receivers ahead so he’ll have to be on his best vs Indiana, USC and UW. But so far he’s proven he’s up to the challenge. Dakorien Moore would be my No. 2 FWIW.