A'Mauri Washington is the unmovable object at the center of Oregon's defensive line. At 6-3, 330 pounds, he is the interior anchor who makes everything else work. Washington had the draft stock to leave after 2025. He came back. Paired with Bear Alexander, he forms what the coaching staff has called "the best defensive tackle duo in the country." Chris Hampton's entire defensive scheme is built on the premise that the interior line can hold its ground and collapse the pocket. Washington is the primary reason that premise holds.
330
Weight (lbs)
6-3 frame
Sr
Year
Final season
DT
Interior Anchor
Returned from NFL
#1
DT Duo
With Bear Alexander
330
Pounds of interior presence
Returned despite NFL Draft stock. Paired with Bear Alexander to form the best DT duo in the Big Ten. The anchor of everything.
thequackreport.com
Why He Matters
Interior defensive line play is invisible to casual fans and essential to winning. Washington does not get the highlight-reel sacks. He gets the double teams that free up Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti on the edge. He gets the run stuffs on third-and-1 that keep opponents off the field. He gets the pocket collapses that force quarterbacks into bad decisions. When you watch Oregon's defense in 2026, everything starts with Washington at the point of attack. If he wins his battle, the defense wins. It is that simple.
NFL Draft Stock
Washington is a projected mid-round NFL Draft pick with the potential to climb into the third or fourth round with a dominant senior season. NFL scouts value interior linemen who can stop the run and push the pocket. Washington does both. A full season as the anchor of what could be the Big Ten's best defense will only improve his stock. The 2027 draft will be kind to Oregon's defensive front.
What to Watch at the Spring Game
1
Double teams: watch how often the offensive line commits two blockers to Washington. That frees everyone else.
2
Run stuffs: Washington's job is to hold the point of attack. Watch third-and-1 and fourth-and-short.
3
Pocket push: can he collapse the pocket from the inside and force the QB into Uiagalelei or Tuioti?
4
Chemistry with Alexander: the two DTs need to work in concert. Watch their gap assignments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Washington returned despite having NFL Draft stock because the 2026 defensive line is special. Paired with Bear Alexander, Matayo Uiagalelei, and Teitum Tuioti, this is the best front four Oregon has ever assembled.
Washington is 6-3, 330 pounds. He is the heaviest player on the 2026 roster and the interior anchor of Chris Hampton's defensive line.
Sources: GoDucks.com, 247Sports, ESPN (2025-2026). This page covers on-field performance and publicly available recruiting data only.