Koi Perich says Oregon WR Evan Stewart stands out in fall camp, as Stewart prepares to return after a long absence

Oregon wide receiver Evan Stewart is back in the mix and getting noticed in fall camp, according to comments highlighted by Yahoo Sports, with safety Koi Perich saying the Ducks’ pass catcher is among the best he has seen during his time in college football. Perich, who has watched many receivers in his two years, framed Stewart as a standout as Oregon works through camp practices, putting extra emphasis on the kind of receiver attention that can set the tone for fall scheduling and early-season game plans.

Stewart’s camp presence carries added weight because he has been away from live game action for a substantial stretch. The report notes that when he runs onto the field for Oregon in Week 1 against the Boise State Broncos, it will mark more than 20 months since he last logged a snap in college football. That gap has turned his return into a storyline that extends beyond one practice period.

The reason for the extended absence is also central to what Oregon fans will be watching as the season approaches. Yahoo Sports reports Stewart suffered a torn patellar tendon that knocked him out for the entirety of the 2025 season. The injury not only delayed his in-game progress, it also extended his time in Eugene, with the report describing last season as a year that carried him one more year beyond what would have been his final season of eligibility at the time.

That context helps explain why Perich’s evaluation matters. For a defensive back, early impressions of a receiver’s timing, route sharpness, and ability to win space against coverage often determine how coaches structure teaching reps and defensive looks during camp. When a veteran safety says a receiver is among the best he has seen, it indicates that Stewart’s return is not just about availability, but about impact in day-to-day work.

Stewart’s status also speaks to the broader rhythm of college football rosters and development. A player returning from a major lower-body injury typically goes through careful integration, and the first real game snaps serve as a measuring stick for timing and separation ability under pressure. While camp evaluations can be informative, Oregon’s opener will provide the most direct evidence of whether Stewart can replicate his pre-injury role in the passing game.

Oregon’s Week 1 opponent, Boise State, adds another layer to the return picture. Facing a nonconference opponent at the start of the season means Oregon’s offense will be tested early in a situation that can reveal how quickly Stewart’s game instincts translate from practice to live reads. If Stewart is indeed tracking toward a meaningful role, the opener will also offer a baseline for how Oregon manages his snap usage and responsibilities.

For now, the most important takeaway is that Perich’s high praise arrives at a moment when Stewart is nearing his first game action after the patellar tendon injury. The season opener against Boise State will be the next checkpoint, and it will shape how Oregon, and the rest of college football, assesses Stewart’s readiness and ceiling after a long layoff.