The Oregon Ducks have been in offseason mode since their loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl, as the team has taken the first steps toward another potential championship-level run in 2025.

Things are already looking up in Eugene for next season, and On3 college football insider Steve Wiltfong agrees thanks to an elite Oregon transfer portal class, which he said is “by far” the best group of incoming transfers for any team in 2025.

“Oregon has by far, the most talented Transfer Portal class coming when looking at the On3 Industry’s average ranking per commit,” Wiltfong wrote. “From 3 terrific OLs, to 2 Indianapolis-area DBs, to landing the top RB in the portal, Dan Lanning and his staff cleaned up.”

Time will tell how all the transfers gel, but there’s no reason to think the Ducks won’t be in for another successful season given what Oregon coach Dan Lanning has done during his tenure.

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So, who are these new faces?

The Ducks have landed transfer commitments from running back Makhi Hughes (Tulane) offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon (USC), wide receiver Malik Benson (Florida State), offensive tackle Isaiah World (Nevada), defensive lineman Bear Alexander (USC), cornerback Theran Johnson (Northwestern), safety Dillon Thieneman (Purdue), offensive lineman Alex Harkey (Texas State) and tight end Jamari Johnson (Louisville).

With World and Pregnon, the Ducks secured two of the top offensive lineman available in the portal this offseason. Elsewhere on offense, Hughes is expected to be an immediate contributors next season. He finished the 2024 season at Tulane with 265 carries for 1,401 yards and 17 total touchdowns.

On defense, Thieneman is a name to watch in the secondary. He had six interceptions in 2023 and impressed Lanning in Oregon’s 35-0 win over Purdue on Oct. 18.

“I mean, obviously, 31 is a guy that can play sideline to sideline,” Lanning said. “They play their safety a little deeper than some teams traditionally, which allows him to really play, almost like a flat-footed read player back there who can see the ball and react to the ball. And he’s a really talented player who does a great job of doing that, and finds himself around the ball consistently.”

The Ducks have had a slew of transfer departures as well.

Oregon has had eight portal entrees this offseason with seven making commitments, as safety Tyler Turner (Baylor), quarterback Jaron Keawe Sagapolutele (Cal), cornerback Khamari Terrell (Texas State), offensive tackle JacQawn McRoy (Arkansas), edge rushers Jaxson Jones (Utah), Emar’rion Winston (Baylor) and Jaeden Moore (Pitt) have all found new homes.

Former Oregon receiver Ryan Pellum remains available in the portal. He was reportedly arrested earlier this month stemming from a “pistol-whipping” incident in California on Christmas Day.

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Oregon Ducks fans had to watch the National Championship on Monday with a sour taste in their mouth knowing that their team came up two wins short of playing in the game despite a 12-0 regular season and a Big Ten title.

The team that eliminated Oregon 41-21 in the Rose Bowl, the Ohio State Buckeyes, instead got to feel the flurry of the confetti at Mercedes-Benz Stadium after holding off Notre Dame for a 34-23 win. But despite this year’s national title game being the first in the 12-team College Football Playoff era, it didn’t match the hype of the 2014 CFP National Championship when it comes to TV ratings.

That game over a decade ago marked the most recent time the Ducks have played in the national championship of college football. Unfortunately for trophy-hungry Oregon fans, the Ducks were beat by the Buckeyes who were led by third-string quarterback Cardale Jones and star running back Ezekiel Elliott.

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Though their meeting in the Rose Bowl didn’t exactly live up to the hype, the two programs’ historic meeting in the inaugural CFP remains the most-watched national championship in the College Football Playoff era.

Here’s the full list:

In order to make it to that game, Marcus Mariota and the No. 3-seeded Ducks had to head to the Rose Bowl to take down star quarterback Jameis Winston and the Florida State Seminoles, who were the defending national champions.

And in a battle of the No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks in the 2015 NFL Draft a few months later, Mariota got the best of Winston and the Seminoles. Oregon left little doubt in that one, using a 27-point third quarter — highlighted by a 58-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Tony Washington — to cruise to a 59-20 win.

However, the Ducks were unable to build off of that dominant performance and fell short of the program’s first-ever national title once again. The Buckeyes were just too dominant, ending Oregon’s championship hopes with a 42-20 win in the title game.

Elliott finished with a historic stat line in the win, totaling 36 carries for 246 yards and four touchdowns. That year’s national championship marked his third straight 200-yard game.

As for Oregon, Mariota went 24 of 37 passing for 333 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in his final game as a member of the program. Former Ducks receiver Byron Marshall had eight catches for 169 yards and one touchdown.

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I am deeply concerned about the significant fire risks posed by the use and sale of fireworks in Oregon. I urge our state government to take action to make fireworks illegal statewide.

The devastating wildfires in California have shown us how a single spark from any source can lead to catastrophic consequences.

Oregon faces similar risks, particularly in July, when dry and highly flammable vegetation creates a tinderbox environment. Allowing fireworks under these conditions unnecessarily endangers our communities, wildlife and natural resources.

By banning fireworks, we can take a proactive step to prevent avoidable fires and help to ensure the safety of our state. I kindly ask for leadership in advocating for this critical change by reaching out to our legislators and supporting policies that prioritize fire prevention.

I appreciate efforts to protect Oregon from the increasing threat of wildfires.

Scott McMullin, Lake Oswego

To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.