Oregon running back Makhi Hughes’s redshirt decision hurts the 2026 NFL Draft

Key Takeaways:

• Makhi Hughes’s redshirt affects his immediate NFL Draft prospects.
• This decision may reshape the 2026 draft class.
• Hughes seems poised to remain at Oregon for now.
• Sporting News first reported the story.
• The article’s publication date indicates its ongoing relevance.

The Redshirt Decision

Makhi Hughes, a running back for the Oregon Ducks, has decided to redshirt, a move that keeps him at the University of Oregon rather than jumping into the professional ranks sooner. It was noted, “Makhi Hughes looks poised to stay in Eugene,” reflecting his commitment to college football in the near term.

Effects on the 2026 NFL Draft

While a redshirt often provides players with an extra year to train and refine their skills, it can also have a ripple effect on talent availability. With Hughes likely postponing his entry, the 2026 NFL Draft could see a slightly different distribution of running back prospects. NFL teams that had been keeping an eye on him might now have to wait, adjusting their long-term scouting plans accordingly.

The Ducks’ Perspective

For Oregon, retaining a promising running back is a welcome development. Hughes’s presence could boost the team’s ground game and bolster its competitive standing in NCAA football. Although the full scope of his decision will come into clearer focus in the coming seasons, the immediate takeaway is that the Ducks will be counting on him to help maintain a strong roster.

While short on details, the overarching narrative from Sporting News underscores how a single roster decision might reverberate through an entire draft class. College football fans and NFL scouts alike will be watching to see just how much Hughes’s redshirt choice affects both the richness of the 2026 draft and Oregon’s performance in the seasons ahead.