Oregon’s tight end room was one of the most dynamic in college football last season - and it wasn’t just because of Kenyon Sadiq.
Yes, Sadiq had a standout 2025 campaign, leading all FBS tight ends with eight touchdown receptions. He paced the Ducks in total catches with 51 and finished second on the team in receiving yards with 560. That kind of production earned him a spot as a Mackey Award finalist, a nod to his status as one of the nation's elite at the position.
But if you’re looking at who graded out the highest in that tight end group, it wasn’t Sadiq. According to PFF College, that honor went to Jamari Johnson - the transfer from Louisville who quietly became one of Oregon’s most reliable offensive weapons down the stretch.
Johnson’s season didn’t start with fireworks. Through the first seven games, his stat line was modest: nine catches for 133 yards.
But that slow start didn’t tell the full story. When Sadiq was sidelined with an injury for Oregon’s matchup against Iowa, Johnson stepped into a larger role - and he didn’t look back.
In that game, Johnson led the Ducks with four receptions for 36 yards, showing off his ability to find soft spots in the zone and make tough catches in traffic. It was a turning point. From that moment on, he became a go-to option for quarterback Dante Moore, especially in the intermediate passing game.
By season’s end, Johnson had led Oregon in receiving in three different games - matching Sadiq in that category - and finished with 510 receiving yards, just 50 shy of Sadiq’s total. That’s a remarkable rise for a player who started the year as TE2 on the depth chart.
And then came the postseason - where Johnson truly shined.
In the College Football Playoff, the former Cardinal made his presence felt early and often. He opened Oregon’s first-round game with a highlight-reel, one-handed 41-yard touchdown grab that set the tone for the Ducks’ offense. Over the next two rounds - the quarterfinal and semifinal - Johnson racked up eight catches for 149 yards and another touchdown, leading the team in receiving in both contests.
That late-season surge helped Johnson earn a 78.0 grade from PFF College - the best among Oregon tight ends - and solidified his status heading into 2026. With Sadiq off to the next chapter, Johnson is poised to take over as TE1 and should remain one of Dante Moore’s most trusted targets.
If the back half of 2025 was any indication, Johnson’s arrow is pointing straight up. He’s not just filling a role - he’s becoming a difference-maker in Oregon’s offense.