Oregon's Matayo Uiagalelei Joins Elite Defense in 2027 Mock Draft

Oregon Ducks star pass rusher Matayo Uiagalelei will be a key piece on defense in the 2026 season.

Uiagalelei was a lead edge rusher for the Ducks in their run to the College Football Playoff in the 2025 season, as he recorded 34 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, four pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.

He was even more dominant in 2024, with 38 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, two pass deflections, an interception, and two forced fumbles.

Uiagalelei is off to a great start to the 2026 season, as he had eight total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a sack against the Boise State Broncos.

He is among the best pass rushers in the country and could go in the first round of the 2027 NFL Draft. In Fox Sports' latest mock draft , Uiagalelei is predicted to land with the Seattle Seahawks with the 30th overall pick.

That would be a great landing spot for Uiagalelei, as the Seahawks already have a great defensive line and one of the best defenses in the league.

The Ducks will lean on Uiagalelei as one of their top pass rushers as they look to contend in the 2026 season.

Oregon has other talented players alongside Uiagalelei in the pass rush, as he plays alongside Teitum Tuioti, who also played at an elite level in 2025. He had 68 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks, along with five pass deflections and two forced fumbles.

With Tuioti and Uiagalelei as the Ducks' pass rush, they are poised to get a ton of pressure on the quarterback.

Oregon has a talented roster and will be in contention to win the National Championship. With all of the talent like Uiagalelei returning, even though they could've gone to the 2026 NFL Draft, this is a major window for the Ducks to make a deep run in the College Football Playoff. If Uiagalelei has another productive season for Oregon, he could be one of the first pass rushers off the board in the 2027 NFL Draft.