LAS VEGAS – Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman and outside linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei were named to the 2025 Big Ten Football Preseason Honors list on Tuesday morning.

Thieneman and Uiagalelei were among 15 total players from the conference to earn preseason recognition on the first of the three-day Big Ten Football Media Day event in Las Vegas. 

Oregon will be featured at Big Ten Media Day on Wednesday (July 23) with Uiagalelei representing the Ducks along with head coach Dan Lanning, linebacker Bryce Boettcher and tight end Kenyon Sadiq. 

A junior transfer from Purdue, Thieneman earned preseason recognition once again after being named to the Walter Camp preseason all-America second team earlier this month.

Thieneman was a two-year starter for the Boilermakers, earning FWAA Defensive Freshman of the Year and Associated Press third-team all-America honors in 2023 after ranking third nationally with six interceptions and leading all FBS freshmen with 74 total tackles. He led Purdue and all FBS freshmen with 106 total tackles, fifth-most among all Big Ten players.

As a sophomore in 2024, Thieneman led all Big Ten defensive backs with 104 total tackles while starting all 12 games for Purdue. He also broke up seven passes and had a sack. 

Uiagalelei enjoyed a breakout season for the Ducks as a sophomore in 2024, leading the Big Ten in the regular season with a career-high 10.5 sacks while adding 12.5 tackles for loss. He also had two forced fumbles, a blocked kick and an interception while earning all-Big Ten first-team honors from the media and second-team recognition from the league’s coaches. 

The Ducks will open fall camp next week in preparation for their 2025 season opener against Montana State on Saturday, Aug. 30, in Autzen Stadium (1:00 p.m. PT, Big Ten Network). Single-game tickets for the 2025 season are on sale now. 

2025 Big Ten Preseason Honors

QB Luke Altmyer, ILL

OLB Gabe Jacas, ILL

DL Mikail Kamara, IND

DB D’Angelo Ponds, IND

OT Gennings Dunker, IOWA

C Logan Jones, IOWA

DB Koi Perich, MINN

OLB Matayo Uiagalelei, ORE

DB Dillon Thieneman, ORE

SAF Caleb Downs, OSU

WR Jeremiah Smith, OSU

LB Sonny Styles, OSU

QB Drew Allar, PSU

DE Dani Dennis-Sutton, PSU

RB Nicholas Singleton, PSU