During his short tenure with the Oregon Ducks, head coach Dan Lanning has received a lot of praise for his ability to recruit from the high school ranks and put together classes that rank among the best in the nation. While all of that praise is warranted, what needs more credit is Lanning’s ability to land highly talented players out of the transfer portal each year and plug them in as starters in Eugene.
Duck fans have seen the likes of Bo Nix, Dillon Gabriel, Tez Johnson, Bucky Irving, Jordan Burch, Christian Gonzalez, Jabbar Muhammad, and Derrick Harmon come through the program via the portal over the last three years, and that’s just to name a few. When it comes to evaluating talent in the portal and giving these players an opportunity to further their careers, there is no team in the nation better than the Ducks.
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That bodes well for guys like Dillon Thieneman, Bear Alexander, Makhi Hughes, and Isaiah World going into the 2025 season. Oregon has added 10 transfers leading up to spring football, many of whom are projected to find a way into the starting lineup.
What will be interesting to see, though, is if the Ducks stop there. The portal will open next month, with players getting another chance to make themselves available from April 16 to April 25. We’ve seen in years past that should a talented player become available, Lanning and his staff aren’t going to shy away from trying to get him, no matter how solid their current depth chart is at said position.
That being said, there are a few positions where it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Ducks try to add more talent in the portal after spring football concludes. Here’s a look at where we think those needs might come.
Linebacker
Aug 31, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Bryce Boettcher (28) and linebacker Devon Jackson (26) tackle Idaho Vandals wide receiver Mark Hamper (15) during the fourth quarter at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-USA TODAY Sports
The Ducks are incredibly talented at the linebacker spot, but don’t have the most production to fall back on. That’s the case with several positions across the roster, but no more glaring than at LB. It helps to have Bryce Boettcher return for a final year, but with guys like Jeffrey Bassa and Jestin Jacobs taking off to the NFL, some new guys will need to step into more prominent roles.
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The ceilings for guys like Devon Jackson, Jerry Mixon, Kamar Mothudi, Braden Platt, and Dylan Williams are all high, but until we see them produce on the field, there is undoubtedly a question here. When you hold yourself to the high standards that Oregon does, you need your players to be elite. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Ducks assess their LB room after spring football and potentially add a veteran portal player in May.
Offensive Line
Photo Courtesy of Ethan Landa
The Ducks’ offensive line will look almost entirely new in 2025, with only center Iapani Laloulu returning as a starter. Oregon already got Isaiah World and Alex Harkey out of the transfer portal this year, but part of me wonders if they might not be done. Ironically, it could be at center where the Ducks look to add another piece, more for depth than anything. Poncho is the starter, but the backup on my projected depth chart is walk-on Charlie Pickard. Should the right guy come available, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Ducks add another guy to the trenches, whether it’s on the interior or exterior.
Cornerback
Oct 8, 2022; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Jahlil Florence (6) celebrates an interception with Jamal Hill (19) and linebacker Jeffrey Bassa (33) against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Much like the linebacker position, Oregon’s cornerback room is exceptionally talented, but very unproven at this point. Going into spring ball, Jahlil Florence is the only player on the roster with a lot of experience in Eugene. Oregon brought in both Theran Johnson and Jadon Canady via the portal. Still, it will be looking for guys like Rodrick Pleasant, Ify Obidegwu, Sione Laulea, Dakoda Fields, Dorian Brew, and Na’eem Offord to step into prominent roles — all of whom either have minimal experience on the field, or are in their first or second seasons at Oregon.
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If a veteran defender becomes available this spring, I certainly wouldn’t be surprised to see Lanning take a swing.
Blocking Tight End
Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq celebrates a play as the Oregon Ducks host the Idaho Vandals Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore.
When it comes to tight end play, Duck fans are likely looking forward to the 2025 season more than they have any other season before, thanks to the expected breakout for Kenyon Sadiq. Oregon also brought Jamari Johnson out of the portal from Louisville, a highly talented playmaker who can impress with the ball. However, one thing that seems to be missing in this relatively thin TE room is a blocker, like Patrick Herbert or Casey Kelly. While I believe that Johnson can fill the H-back role well, I think the Ducks could find a bigger-bodied blocking TE who could come in and help shore up the depth in this room.
Defensive Line
Sep 28, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive lineman A’Mauri Washington (52) tackles UCLA Bruins running back T.J. Harden (25) in the backfield during the third quarter at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images
At this point, we’ve seen a theme across multiple positions on this list: A lot of talent, but not a lot of production. With Derrick Harmon and Jamaree Caldwell leaving for the NFL, the Ducks will have new faces on the interior defensive line in 2025, likely led by USC transfer Bear Alexander and junior A’Mauri Washington. Guys like Terrance Green, Aydin Breland, Tionne Gray, and Jericho Johnson could also play more prominent roles, but if a guy pops up this spring who could be a difference maker — think about the addition of Derrick Harmon following the 2024 spring season — then far be it for Lanning to pass on him.
This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Potential Oregon Ducks transfer portal positions of need after spring
