Landing the commitment of USC guard Emmanuel Pregnon via the transfer portal was viewed as a solid addition for the Oregon Ducks last offseason, as he was expected to fill a need at the left guard spot for his final season of eligibility. Expectations weren't sky-high for the 6-foot-4, 314-pounder, who had been just above average among Big Ten guards in 2024 with the Trojans.
But Pregnon far surpassed any expectations set before him, as he was named a first-team All-American and solidified himself as an early-round draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He was an absolute road-grader in the run game for the Ducks, opening up gaping holes in the middle for one of the top rushing attacks in the nation. He allowed just five pressures and a single sack in 445 pass-blocking reps.
With his sights now set on the NFL, prominent ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has Pregnon tabbed as someone who will outperform his draft stock — a similar sentiment as surpassing his expectations entering his lone season in Eugene.
"Pregnon started at three different schools," Kiper wrote. "He started 11 games at right guard for Wyoming in 2022. Then, he started 25 games at left guard for USC from 2023 to 2024. And finally, he was a 15-game starter at left guard for Oregon last season. Add it all up, and Pregnon has allowed just seven sacks over 3,087 career snaps."
Kiper then highlighted Pregnon's performance against the Iowa Hawkeyes last season in which the Ducks ran for 261 yards on 7.3 yards per carry, a dominant effort in a driving rainstorm on the road. Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein leaned heavily into running right behind his left guard, with Pregnon leading the way.
"He sustains, gets to the second level and will physically overwhelm defenders on the inside at 6-foot-4 and 314 pounds," Kiper continued. "And Pregnon is solid in pass protection, with heavy hands and the ability to lock out defensive tackles. I wouldn't be shocked if he goes late on Day 1, but I'd safely say Pregnon is a second-round pick."
The number one question for Pregnon hasn't been about his skills and accomplishments as they translate to the NFL; instead, it's been just how high will he be selected in the draft considering he plays a non-premium position. For the most part, quarterbacks, offensive tackles and edge rushers come off the board sooner than other spots. In recent years, wide receivers and defensive backs have nudged their way into that group.
As it stands, guard is just not a position that is considered worthy of a first-round pick — unless the prospect is a bona-fide sure thing. It certainly seems as if Pregnon is that, though he's still widely considered to a be a Day 2 pick despite possessing Day 1 talent.
But in the end, Pregnon's career will not be defined by his draft positioning on draft day. Instead, it will be defined by how he'll respond, with Kiper serving as a firm believer that the former Ducks standout will far outperform where he's selected.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Ducks' Emmanuel Pregnon to outperform draft stock, per Mel Kiper Jr.