Oregon to host Tulane transfer RB Makhi Hughes on visit

The Oregon Ducks are set to host one of the most coveted prospects in the transfer portal soon. According to On3’s Hayes Fawcett, the Ducks will host Tulane star running back Makhi Hughes this weekend. In his last two seasons with the Green Wave, Hughes has racked up 2,779 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns. He is ranked as the No. 1 ranked running back prospect in the 2025 Transfer Portal class, according to On3.

On Monday On3’s Pete Nakos confirmed Oregon is in a strong position to add the talented back. For the most part Oregon has not really pursued any running backs in the transfer portal. But when Hughes announced his intent to transfer, the Ducks were an immediate contender.

Hughes has a relationship with Oregon’s 2025 signee Na’eem Offord. The two are half-brothers by relationship, according to ScoopDuck’s Justin Hopkins.

Right now it looks like Ole Miss is Oregon’s biggest threat for Hughes. While Lane Kiffin runs a fun offense that runs the ball and can be competitive from an NIL standpoint, Oregon’s ace in the hole could be the signing of his younger brother Offord in this case. It doesn’t hurt the Ducks also use running backs very well in their offense.

Listed at 5-foot-11, 210-pounds, Hughes racked up 1,401 rush yards and 15 touchdowns this season. He averaged 5.3 yards per rush. He’s tallied over 1,300 rushing yards in back-to-back seasons, earning first team All-AAC honors in each of his two seasons with the Green Wave.

Oregon finished their 2024-2025 season with a 13-1 overall record. The season ended with a disappointing loss (41-21) to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl on Wednesday. The Ducks still managed to go undefeated in the regular season, but the end was obviously not the result Dan Lanning and company desired. Landing a big-time prospect like Makhi Hughes could give the Oregon fan base a nice boost of enthusiasm at the beginning of the offseason.

On3’s Justin Hopkins also contributed to this article.