A’Mauri Washington focused on NFL leap in final season at Oregon
After turning down the NFL Draft, A'Mauri Washington's goals are clear before his final season with the Oregon Ducks.
The Oregon Ducks were quite fortunate to return their entire starting defensive line this offseason. Although the group's statistical numbers were down in the 2025 season, bringing back Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti on the edge and Bear Alexander and A'Mauri Washington in the middle gives the Ducks one of the best defensive fronts in the country. For Washington, the decision to come back came as a surprise to some.
Throughout his standout junior season with the Ducks, Washington received some projections as a late first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, with the rise of NIL, it can make sense for some athletes to return to school for an extra year. It wasn't the payday, however, that kept Washington from leaving Eugene.
In fact, it wasn't a huge decision for him at all. With the rest of the group coming back for one last run at a national championship, it was a no-brainer. "I couldn't wait to come back with these guys," Washington said after Saturday's scrimmage .
"One more, just for one more, man. I remember all the stuff we had last year, but now we get to really take it up another notch. So I'm really excited to see that too, as well.