Ashton Porter is on the move.
The former Oregon edge rusher has committed to the Houston Cougars, becoming the latest Duck to find a new home via the transfer portal. Porter joins a growing list of Oregon defensive linemen seeking fresh starts, including Blake Purchase and Tionne Gray, in what’s been a notable exodus from the Ducks’ defensive front.
Porter saw the field in all 15 games this past season, a testament to the trust Oregon’s coaching staff had in the young defender. He finished the year with 20 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and one sack - solid production for a rotational player in a deep defensive line group. Over his collegiate career, he’s totaled 25 tackles, three TFLs, and 1.5 sacks.
At 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds, Porter brings a versatile frame that can be deployed in multiple spots along the defensive front. Coming out of Cy Ranch High School in Cypress, Texas, he was a four-star recruit and ranked among the top 40 defensive linemen in his class. His return to the Lone Star State now gives Houston a proven Power Five contributor with room to grow and two years of eligibility left to do it.
Porter is the second former Duck to land with the Cougars this offseason, following running back Makhi Hughes, who also transferred to Houston after a brief stint in Eugene.
The timing of Porter’s departure is notable. On the same day he entered the portal, Oregon got big news on the edge: starters Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti both announced they’re returning for the 2025 season instead of declaring for the NFL Draft. That kind of continuity at the top of the depth chart may have limited Porter’s path to more playing time in Eugene - something he’ll likely find more of in Houston.
For the Cougars, this is a meaningful addition. They’re getting a player with high-level experience and the physical tools to make an impact. For Porter, it’s a chance to carve out a bigger role and continue developing in a system where he can be more than just a rotational piece.
It’s a win-win - and one more example of how the transfer portal is reshaping college football’s landscape, one move at a time.